SECOND CHANCE

Piecing my life back together

SAM

After the big breakfast, I went to the guest house to unpack the little stuff that I threw in my suitcase while ruining my house. Who would’ve thought that Paul and I would be done, not me, I guess Paul since he couldn’t keep it in his pants? I also took the time to apply for some bakery jobs, though it’s time for me to get back to making some art with my hands. I only did the accounting because Paul suggested that he didn’t like baking and thought it was a joke, so, if I don’t want to be digging in my savings for too long, I got to get myself a job.

When they say love makes you do stupid things. They aren’t wrong. I did some crazy stuff because Paul moved away from my family and worked in a profession I didn’t like. Don’t get me wrong, it helps me to have the savings that I have now. That’s the one thing I’m going to say. I’m grateful that Paul pushed me to do it but everything else was just crazy.

I didn’t realize how much time I had lost in my head until my phone pulled me away. I saw it was my BFF calling without a second thought. I picked up” hey, girlfriend, what’s up”,

” nothing, you, hey, girlfriend, why didn’t you tell me you were not in Boston anymore? “

I stopped putting the clothes away. “what are you talking about? How do you know I moved?”

It’s like I could see her rolling her eyes.“ I went to your house and that no good boyfriend of yours told me you were going on vacation, and I knew you wouldn’t go without me or Rich. “

Nia and Paul never get along. I’m pretty sure she’s happy that I wasn’t in the house or in Boston anymore. I laughed. Oh my Gosh, he didn’t. “ yes he did. Now tell me what he did. Should I go give him a Nia lesson? “ A Nia lesson is when she sucker punches you and breaks his nose, that’s why I love her, no matter what she got my back.

“ Where are you now ?,” I asked her.

“ Well, now that I know you in Long Island I’m on my way, I’ll be there by tomorrow,” she said with a laugh.

“ When you get here we will talk when you get here, safe travel. “ I hang up before she can demands that I tell her what happens between Paul and me smiling thinking about our conversation I need to give Rich a call putting the phone back I got to finish the rest of my chores, putting the last piece of clothes in the closet I grab a shower went to check on my parents haven’t heard from them since breakfast.

I ring the bell. I know there’s no need for it, but it's still their house. You know it's me showing some respect. “ honey why are you ringing the bell ?” My father asked while he opened the door.

“ I didn’t want to just barge in here “

nonsense comes from your mother in the kitchen making dinner if you want to join her”, I stat next to him.

“ Dad tells me I am doing the right thing. I’m confused about what to do next. I put my resume there again. Hopefully, I get something soon.”

He gave me a hug. “ Oh sweetie, I can’t tell you what to do, you have to figure it out on your own, but know this your mother and I will always be there for you. That’s a good start to looking for a job”,

” Thank you, Daddy “. With that, I went into the kitchen.

“ Mom, what are you doing?” She looked at me.

“ Fried chicken with potato salad and some plantains. Your father and I don’t eat like this all the time, but once in a while we let loose“

Washing my hands, I said “ Oh good at your age, you don’t need grease.

She gave me a look that said" You better shut your mouth, girl, oh I did “ anything I can help with”.

“ Oh I’m done, can you just set the table dear,” I went to the dining room to fix the table.

A couple of minutes later, the food was on the table. We said grace and started digging in. Half through the meal, my mother says “ Oh, your sisters are coming earlier than we thought, for your father’s birthday. “

I put my fork down. “ How much early?”

She weaves her hands like it’s nothing “oh a week earlier “,

“ Oh Mother,” I started at her.

” What I thought you girls would like to spend some time together? “

I said under my breath “of course you did”,

“what was that sweetie “

shaking my head “ oh nothing “

After our little exchange, I asked “ so dad, what’s the plan for your birthday?” ,

” I don’t know, sweetheart, I thought we could go to the cabin for the weekend. “

I said “ that’s so amazing. Is everyone onboard or do you need to? “ I grab the plates and take them. in the kitchen “ oh no I haven’t told anyone about it “

Moving next to me, my mother said “, exactly I’m told old for the cabin sweetie why don’t we something by the ocean “ with a kiss on her cheek my father say “ you just want to go on a vacation “ I look at my parents how come they can still show love to each other after all this year but I couldn’t keep my 2 years relationship intact I guess Paul wasn’t for me. I put the dishes in the dishwasher, grabbed my leftovers, said good night to my parents, I went to the guest house to put an end to my night with a movie.