Looking out at the blue sky and clouds, my
mind felt clear for the first time in years. Saying
goodbye to the past was that easy.
The coast was a place of trees and flowers
everywhere. Back then, keeping a full grown
shifter was like taking care of a money–sink.
I had to give up on becoming a full time writer
and become a nine–to–fiver.
Here, I landed a job I’d always wanted, working
at a retirement home. I also started writing
again after years of ignoring it.
Sometimes, I checked my phone. Chandler
must’ve gotten the papers by now. I opened my
<
messages. Crickets.
I expected it. I was always the one who initiated.
contact. I wasn’t disappointed, but I couldn’t
help but think that after five years, he couldn’t
even say goodbye?
It had been two months since I left, and my
family hadn’t even called. Ever since she had
Maisie with my stepfather, my mom had
focused all her attention on her new family.
They probably didn’t even know I’d left Spring
Falls.
Even if they did, they wouldn’t care where I
went.
I tossed my SIM card into the lake and got a
new number, completely cutting off my old life.
If no one loved me, I’d just have to love myself.
The seniors at the retirement home liked me.
They told me stories about when they were
<
They also showered me with gifts, like the
coffee mug they made for me during ceramics
class, with my name on it. Or the homemade
wine and dried fruit.
They gave me the kind of love from family that
I’d never known.
More and more gifts piled up. I didn’t even have room on my desk.
My coworkers joked and said they were jealous. Someone was jealous of me?
I touched my scarred face. I was always the one
no one wanted around. Was I finally worthy of being loved?
One day, Mrs. Gallagher had a heart attack, and
I stayed up all night with her, calling the
paramedics and going to the hospital.
<
I was walking back to the office, massaging my aching shoulders, when I saw a tall figure sneaking out of my office.
