New Beginnings

Chapter 5

After dinner, we drove for almost 2 hours. The twins had fallen asleep and I was on the verge. Just as my eyes started to close, the truck came to a stop.

Charlie and Susan led me up a set of stairs and unlocked the door to the apartment I would be renting.

“I know its small but the bakery is right under you so it’s a short walk to work,” Susan said with a smile.

There was a small kitchen with an island and two bar stools. An oversized couch and a small table and chairs off the kitchen.

“So there is a small bedroom right past the kitchen and off this hall there is a closet and in the bathroom is a washer and dryer,” Susan said.

“You’ll have to get a bed but there are some blankets and some pillows in the closet,” Charlie added.

“It’s perfect. Thank you.”

“We have an air mattress we can get and bring back to you?” Susan offered.

“No..No, the couch is fine. I haven’t slept in a real bed in years.” I said, smiling at Susan.

“So when you get up tomorrow, come on down to the shop and we can get you set up for your first day.”

“I could start tomorrow if you need me.”

“How about you come down around 8?”

“I will be there. Um, what should I wear?”

“Jeans, I will have a top for you.”

After some more hugs, Charlie handed me the keys and I locked the door behind them.

I looked around the tiny apartment. My very first apartment. I still didn’t know how much it cost, but it was perfect.

I found the blankets and pillow and got comfortable on the couch.

My alarm went off at 6 and I got up and took a shower. I was so glad I took my towels from the apartment I shared with Chantelle.

I pulled out a pair of jeans and opened the notes app on my phone and started to make a list of things I was going to need for the apartment. After about a half hour, I realized I was starving and hoped the bakery was already open.

I made my way to the bakery to find it was open and a little busy. I got in line and ordered a blueberry muffin and a coffee. I found a seat in the crowded cafe and enjoyed my breakfast.

Just before 8, I made my way to the counter and asked for Susan.

The next few hours I spent filling out paper work for work and for the apartment. Susan was right. She was charging me next to nothing for the apartment and she was paying more than I had made in Florida. Like a lot more.

“Now the twins will be here in about 20 minutes to take you shopping.”

“What?”

“Get some lunch and the boys will take you shopping.” She said, handing me a few shirts.

“I don’t want to be a bother.”

“You’re not a bother at all. Actually they offered. We know you need food and stuff for the kitchen. Maybe a bed. I mean I don’t really know your financial situation.”

“I’m good and thank you.”

“Oh, and they will be bringing you some kitchen stuff. I have a box of pans, plates, silverware, cups.”

“Thank you so much.”

“I’m just glad they are going to get used.”

I ate a small lunch and as I was finishing, the twins walked through the door. They were very handsome for 16-year-old boys and some day would be heart breakers for sure. For some reason, today they choose to wear matching clothes. Simple white t-shirts and jeans. I couldn’t help but think this was some kind of test.

“Are you ready?”

“I am Evan.”

“Wait, how do you know I’m not Issac?”

I just smiled. “Because I pay attention.”

It took us an hour to get to the mall and we spent four hours shopping. I bought a bed and bed frame, two night stands, a dresser, tools to put them together, a TV and TV stand, sheets, laundry detergent, some clothes, and food.

I was very grateful the boys knew how to pack a truck. By the end of the shopping trip, the three of us had to sit in the front of the truck because we had every inch of the truck packed.

“So there is an amazing pizza place in town if you want to thank us with a pizza,” Issac said with a smile.

“And maybe some wings?” I asked.

“Yes.” They both said in unison.

I called in the pizza and wings and we worked to unload as much of the truck as we could. We managed to get everything into the apartment by the time the pizza arrived.

The three of us ate without saying anything to each other.

After cleaning up, the boys went to work on putting together my bed and stands.

“You guys don’t have to do that… I really appreciate it.”

“We don’t mind and I feel like Dad would be pissed if we didn’t help,” Issac said, chuckling.

“Yeah, I think he looks at you like you’re his daughter already.” Evan added.

I couldn’t help but blush. It had been so long since somebody cared about me.

“Thank you both very much. I don’t know if I can ever repay you guys.”

“No worries and, honestly, the fact that you can tell us apart was pretty amazing,” Issac said, blushing a little too.

“Yeah, I mean it’s pretty easy to tell you guys apart,” I said with a smile.

The rest of the evening went fast and by 9 the boys were heading home. I pulled the sheets from the dyer that was in the bathroom and made my bed.

I took a long hot shower and crawled into bed.

Closing my eyes, I realized it was the first time I was sleeping in a real bed. My own bed in my own apartment.