SteeleKizz, Inc

Destiny – Beach Bound

Destiny took her vehicle to the local mechanic’s shop to make sure it was worthy of the 12 hour long drive from Upper New York state to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. She thumbed the print of her Aunt Jo’s note penned to her with her warning to get out. She’d never met her aunt’s best friend Suzie from college, but had heard some of their wild days. Suzie had been her own escape from their family when Jo was deemed the black sheep among the sisters. So, sending Destiny to her own confidante in her young adult years, seemed fitting. Destiny knew that Suzie would be best able to help with her current struggles.

After the routine maintenance was complete, Destiny sold most of her more burdensome items for extra cash, dumping any unnecessary extra baggage. She even sold the cheap engagement ring that Dominic had given her. Seeing the price it was sold for she knew it had to be a running joke for not only his friends but her friends too. She was starting to feel the hurricane that was her life had been the ongoing joke for most everyone around her. A void so deep inside of her became darker each day. She longed to hold her little boy, often startling herself awake to find herself cuddling a bundled up blanket in his place.

Her nerves had her rattled, making her doubt driving the long distance, considering she’d never traveled by herself out of town much less out of state. She knew she would be traveling through beautiful, albeit dangerous, countryside heading south as a young beautiful lady. Destiny hoped she wouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb being new to the area. An inkling of excitement teased at her broken heart knowing that the beach was simply out the backdoor.

The trek along the highways were much smoother than the bustling bumper to bumper traffic of the big cities. The lengthy stretches gave her time to reflect and think while the music played on. On occasion the music would remind her of her baby boy, wondering if she would ever see him again. There had been a time or two that she would pull over just to cry over her loss. When she had collected herself enough to drive again, she’d move to the next song and proceed to her destination.

Nearing the last leg of her expedition, exhaustion was starting to settle in. She nearly missed her exiting for Rocky Mount, NC. The GPS navigation was harping at her to take the exit and she swerved through traffic narrowly making the exit ramp with a few angry honks to follow. Those drivers were the least of her worries having come from the bigger cities and constant honks of frustrated drivers. The evening skies were turning darker and her stomach rumbled. Making a quick stop at a drive thru fast food place, she ordered double what was her normal order. She remembered she hadn’t eaten anything since the start of the journey.

A bit of food in her and the last two hours to Suzie’s cottage and the beach didn’t seem so bad. Passing through the Croatan National Forest was a pleasant drive except for the random deer jumping out to cross the street. Seeing the exit sign for the national forest, she knew that the cottage wasn’t far. She could start to see the reflection of the moon on Bogue water front. After a couple of more rights and a left, the front porch light was on welcoming Destiny to her new home away from home.

Parking next to a Prius, she quickly shut off the engine and began cleaning up her mess from her late supper. Stuffing everything into the bag and closing it to toss in the garbage can near the side of the cottage.

Destiny took a few minutes to glance around at the house, the yard, and up and down the street as much as she could see. She was thankful that there was a gas station a block or two away, it would be safe enough to walk. A shadow appeared in the blinds and then disappeared just as quickly. The front door swung open with a slim but trim male figure stood silhouetted by the light in the room behind him.

She started wondering if she did have the right address. Double checking the address on the note and the street number on the house, confirmed that yes, she was. Hesitantly, Destiny got out of the car with her most important bag on her shoulder. She clutched at her keys nervously as she headed to the front door.

From the light of the porch, the sandy haired male came out to greet here.

“Destiny?” he asked. His voice was soft, feminine like, but held a slight southern accent. “Josie’s baby girl?”

Destiny nodded her head acknowledging his questions. “Yes, uh, Sir.”

He took her into a full on hug. Something about him made her feel comfortable enough to let him touch her.

“Poor dear,” he said still embracing her, not feeling the need to let her go yet. “Josie told me about what happened. I can’t imagine what you are going through, child. Let’s get you inside and have something to drink. I’ve got a variety for you to choose from.”

She nodded her head in his chest. He felt warm and homely, like the comfort of a loving grandmother.

“Can I get the rest of your things for you, baby doll?” he asked looking at the boxes outlined by the moon’s light in her backseat.

“Um, yeah, sure,” she said. She tried to gather herself and hold back some raging tears from her eyes at the bursting affections from this guy. She unlocked the car door and trunk for him.

“You head on in,” he said motioning with his hand. “I’ve got the heavy stuff. We’ll set it in the living room to go through once you’re ready. Go on honey child, this is your home now too.”

Destiny took him for his word and headed into the cottage. She held onto the screen door so that it didn’t slam shut. A tan, brown, and white cat greeted her and began purring as it circled her feet. She looked down at the small animal laughing. She headed into the kitchen area, putting her duffel bag on the first chair so that she could see what was available to drink. Right away, she saw milk, juices, bottled waters, a few sodas, but quite a bit of adult beverages. She took a soda from the refrigerator, closing the door behind her.

She could only guess if the fridge was stocked, so was the cupboards. When she turned back to the living room, the guy had brought in several boxes and set them on the floor. She leaned against the corner of the wall as he darted around bringing her stuff in and setting it down in an organized manner. After several minutes, her entire life was stacked nice and neat to the side of the living room. They still had room to sit on the couch or recliner and watch television, but not room for much more.

“I’ll get through all that as soon as I,” She was about to say, but he put his hand out to her halting her apologetic tone.

“You’ve been through enough. You need to process and let it come to you when you are ready. There’s time. If you know where your toiletries and clothes are, we’ll get that set up in the back bedroom. My room is the first room down the hall. I’ve also got a garage behind the house that we can put it there so you can go through it at your own pace.”

He moved them to sit at the kitchen table, he took one seat she took another next to his.

“You’re Susie?” Destiny asked curiously.

“Yes,” he said holding her free hand. “Not my birth name, but Susie is better. I guess Jo didn’t tell you.”

Destiny shook her head and gave a small chuckle. “I guess she didn’t want me to panic,” she replied.

“That’s one way of putting it. I do have work in the morning, but once I’m done with work. We’ll go grocery shopping for things you like or want. If you need something outside of that, we can shop for that too. Don’t feel afraid to ask me. If something or someone bothers you, even if it’s me, you tell me. I don’t offend easily.”

Destiny sat listening intently to her new friend and roommate.

“Once you feel comfortable, we’ll see about jobs and what you might want to do. If you want to go to college as well, we can look into that as well. One thing at a time. You relax the next few days. Then I’ll ask you if your ready. For now, finish your soda and head to bed. Take a shower if you need.”

“Thank you,” Destiny said.

Suzie got up and kissed the top of her head. “Since I have work, I have to hit the hay. Are you going to be okay? You can wake me up any time. Don’t fret.”

“Yeah, I think so.

“Alrighty. Night kiddo.”

She watched Suzie in his cut off sweat pant shorts saunter off to his room. Destiny took a look around, even getting up to check the doors that they had been locked before she headed to bed.