Lonely Life #7
I knew without a doubt they could get any information on the guy they liked in seconds. If I knew my brother’s last name, I bet they could help me find him. I groaned and put my head down on the desk, because Melanie had offered.
Melanie could easily find Lux with the pittance of information I had on him, but it was like I physically couldn’t ask her for help to find him. It was so strange. Several people shh’d me because I’d made noise. I rolled my eyes and got up to walk back to my apartment.
I woke up alone on Thanksgiving and went to check the mail. Surprisingly I found a postcard from my mom. It didn’t even say Happy Thanksgiving, just her name. Not mom, her name. Typical. I sighed and decided not to think about her today.
I got ready to go see Roxie and her family. I was excited to actually have somewhere to spend Thanksgiving, rather than I thought I would be. I’d never been to someone’s house on Thanksgiving. When I lived in Maine, a woman looked after me like I was her own.
I wished she was my mom a lot. She came over and cooked for me. Those were the best eight months of my life since Lux left. Mom never found out about Nalena. I actually called her Aunt Nova because for some reason she had people call her Nova.
I sighed thinking about her today. Aunt Nova told me that she felt we’d meet again someday. I hoped with everything in me she was right. I couldn’t help but remember the day we met.
Flashback
Odette was tired. I’d worked a graveyard shift sewing clothes in a warehouse. My fingers were bleeding and I had another job to get to. My legs refused to keep moving though. I was cutting through a nice neighborhood as a shortcut.
I needed to keep moving because with as nice as everything was here, they’d call the cops on me. A house with the most amazing landscaping I’d ever seen drew me in. I don’t know how a bush could be inviting, but this one was.
I bartered with myself that I’d just sit by it for a second, but then I couldn’t keep my eyes open once I sat down. I woke up with a start and looked around me in awe. I’d never seen such a nice room before. The bed I was on was practically a cloud.
The door opened and a beautiful woman came inside grinning, “You’re awake.” I answered, “Uh yes. Who are you?” She answered, “Around here people call me Nalena, but you can call me Aunt Nova. I feel such a kinship with you.” I felt it as well, which was weird.
I questioned, “What am I doing here?” Aunt Nova answered, “I found you passed out in front of my house and brought you inside.” I cringed, “I’m sorry.” Aunt Nova chuckled, “My neighbor was very put out that I carried you inside. Between us, she’s a bit of a nosey person.”
I asked, “Is she rude?” Aunt Nova waved dismissively, “I’ve charmed her, but she’s rude to a lot of people.” I told her, “Then she’s a Karen.” Aunt Nova tilted her head, “Her name is Cynthia.” I laughed then explained, “Right. It’s not her actual name, it’s a name for nosey, rude women.”
Aunt Nova grinned saying, “I quite like that. Why don’t you come downstairs? I thought we could bake together and chat. Maybe I could call your mom.” I scoffed, “That would be a trick. I haven’t even gotten so much as an email from her. By that I mean I have no way of contacting my mom.”
Aunt Nova looked horrified declaring, “Well, we should chat all about that. I got you some clothes to change into. If you’d like to shower that’s also an option.
” I argued, “No, I couldn’t.” I longed to, though.
The water in the place where I lived was never warm.
I knew this house had literal hot water.
Aunt Nova gave me a stern look, “I insist since you clearly want to. I saw that look of longing. I designed this house myself and the bathrooms are quite something.” She ushered me into the bathroom of my dreams. I asked, “Are you Mommy Warbucks or something?”
Aunt Nova answered, “No, I’m Aunt Nova.” How did she not get the reference to the orphan movie? Aunt Nova turned the shower on and got out an assortment of body washes from under the counter with everything I could need.
Aunt Nova told me, “The towels are in there.” I nodded, “Sure, are these floors heated?” She answered, “Of course. It can be cold here in the winter, so to get out of the shower only for your feet to get cold defeats the purpose of a relaxing shower.”
I grinned at her admitting, “I don’t usually get cold.” Aunt Nova grinned mischievously, “How interesting. You enjoy your shower. If you want to wash your hair, here are some products.” Aunt Nova produced a bin of shampoos from under the sink. Was that thing a magician's hat?
She added, “There is a hair dryer in this drawer. Enjoy and come downstairs and tell Auntie Nova why you fell asleep on the street with bleeding hands while we bake.” I looked down and my hands had bandages on them.
Tears filled my eyes as I realized, “You took care of them.” Aunt Nova looked confused saying, “Of course I did.” I cried, “Thank you.” I quickly wiped my tears away, embarrassed at how I was acting in front of someone who had shown me kindness.
Aunt Nova gathered me into her arms, “Oh you poor thing. We’ll rebandage them after your shower, ok?” I nodded, “Ok.” She added, “It is good to let things like that breathe according to the doctor I called.” I was beyond touched that she’d thought to call her doctor.
I asked, “Have you never cut your hands?” She chuckled, “No.” I commented, “Your gardener is amazing.” Her front yard had beautiful landscaping.
Aunt Nova winked, “That’s all me.” A gardener who never cut their hands?
I told her, “You clearly have a green thumb.” She held up both her hands, “No green as you can see.”
I chuckled, “You’re literal. I like you.
” Aunt Nova blushed, “I like you too. I’ll leave you to freshen up.
” She retreated and I let myself cry for just one minute before taking off all the bandages and getting in the shower.
This would be the best afternoon I’d had since I last saw Lux and I was determined to enjoy it.
Flashback Ends
Coming back to reality after remembering Aunt Nova always hurt. I took a deep breath and kept getting ready. Once I’d finished my makeup and picked an outfit, I walked outside. I’d never minded cooler weather or walking. Plus, I didn’t have a car to drive to Roxie’s place.
I didn’t even know how to drive. I mean, I did in theory. I knew which pedals did what. I’d never driven a car though. I made my way through the town in the area. I was headed into a woodsy area that was more secluded, but the directions online had told me this was the way to Roxy’s.
I paused, because suddenly it felt like my very soul was at peace. Which was odd. I’d never even been camping. Why would the forest make me happy? I shrugged it off. Sadly, at that moment the hair on the back of my neck began to stand up.
I faintly heard a hissing in my mind. What the hell was that? I stopped walking as a burst of emotions inside me longed for the water. Ok, I really needed to get whatever hormonal teenage thing this was under control. There was no water around.
Was I thirsty? No. That was wrong. I knew I wanted to be in the water.
I shook myself knowing this was ridiculous.
I called out, “Who is there?” Ten men came out from behind the trees.
One of whom was Luke. I sighed, wanting to groan in frustration as something hissed in my head. Great. Now I was hissing.
Luke sinisterly said, “I have a lesson to teach you.” I snorted, “You’re kidding me. What lesson?” Luke said, “Not to upset me or kiss other men.” I gaped at him then rolled my eyes asking, “You need nine other men to help you teach me that lesson? That’s moderately sad.”
Luke said, “I don’t need them.” I retorted, “Are they here to intimidate me then?” The old me would’ve been crying by now, but I wasn’t that girl anymore. Melanie had awoken a different side of me that was stronger.
I also was not going down without a fight. In fact, I was excited to fight. Man, I needed some serious therapy. Luke nodded. I added, “For the record since we are broken up, I can kiss whoever I want.” The first guy was strangely fast and moved in front of me.
I opened my mouth and a hiss came out. Everyone froze as I clapped a hand over my mouth. Luke said, “That’s not possible. She’s not old enough and she’s not been taught how to…” One guy cleared his throat which made Luke instantly shut up.
I asked, “Old enough for what? Also, sir whose name I don’t know teach me how to get Luke to stop talking. That was quite the trick, magical even.” The guy who had been approaching me did so cautiously now. I raised an eyebrow at him. He’d been ready to come at me, but a simple hiss stopped him.
I taunted him, “Why don’t you come closer?” Several people gasped. Jesus. What now? The guy seemed unable to stop himself. I watched in shock as he came towards me like he was on autopilot. Whatever. That worked in my favor.
When he reached me, his eyes cleared and he went for a punch. Sadly, for him, after working with Melanie it was obvious. I blocked it and countered by hitting him in the family jewels. He went down to his knees, then I broke his nose.
I heard the one coming from behind. I did a spinning kick and he went down. I’d been practicing, but it didn’t seem like enough for the dude to fly back from me with such force he hit a tree and groaned. He must have been running super-fast.
I wasn’t sure how the physics of what I’d just seen worked out, but I didn’t have time to contemplate it because the rest of the group rushed me. Luke hissed, “You learned how to fight.” I mocked, “Didn’t my mom, you bestie, mention that?”
I blocked my ex’s punch and heard the satisfying crush of his nose. Luke had very distinct features that were very defined. He had dark brown hair and light brown eyes, he was kind of creepy in all honestly. Yet he was very into his appearance.