Chapter 1
Sitting, watching, almost in a blur as people rushed by her at a fast pace. It almost seemed as though time was standing still. She was lost in her thoughts as she waited on the outside bench at the LAX Airport pick up zone.
She couldn’t understand how her life had been flipped upside down within a year. Gripping the sides of her purse, Angela Black knew her life would be forever changed and it scared the living shit out of her.
She had never really liked Los Angeles, but knew she had to make a drastic change in her life. Her home town only left feelings of loss and grief. Those very things that were tearing her apart slowly would now be left behind but would still be held as memories. She knew she would never forget but had to try and let it go.
Angela watched the people passing bye as she leaned back and let her mind drift to the last twelve months of her life.
When she and her husband, Blake Gauthier had received the call last April from their doctor they had no idea how one sentence could tear their lives apart. “I’m sorry Mr. Gauthier. You have Stage IIIC Stomach Cancer.” When Blake repeated the words to her, they splintered inside of her causing the same amount of pain as the cancer would itself. What he was saying was, no more walks in the park. No more surprise birthday parties or early morning breakfasts in bed. No more sightseeing, vacationing or cuddling on the couch. Life from here on out would be four walls and pain for both of them. One word…life altering…
Before this, their lives seemed picture perfect. They had been married for almost three years. Angela’s career was taking off with a well-known Marketing Agency in Miami while Blake was establishing his contracting business. They had met in high school and instantly fell for one another. Their connection was instant and their love for one another was so strong that it would exude to others. They were the envy of so many of their friends.
Blake was Angela’s rock, the man she had loved so deeply, the man she was supposed to spend the rest her life with and have children with and now he only had 6 months to live. How could life be so cruel? How could God in all of his goodness give her this man to love and then take him away so abruptly?
Angela could never have been prepared for what was to come. Leaving her job to be by Blake’s side, the long grueling nights watching him suffer in pain. Watching the man she first fell in love with slowly die in front of her was heart wrenching. Something changed in Angela. A piece of her died that day and she had no idea if she would ever be the same again. The grief consumed her and somehow took over and held her soul until it threatened to kill her entirely. It gave her a heavy feeling that was like the weight of the world resting on her shoulders. For a while it felt like there was nothing she could do to get out from underneath it. There was a hole in her heart in the shape of Blake that no matter how much she healed…would always remain.
A honk of a loud horn snapped her out of her thoughts. Looking over at the SUV she could see Thomas getting out the vehicle. He grabbed her around the waist, lifted her up and whirled her around before putting her back down. Grinning from ear to ear he said, “So how was your flight?”
“Exhausting,” she smiled, grateful he was finally there.
“I would have been here sooner but I got stuck in traffic. Let me grab your bags,” he said with a sympathizing look. Thomas grabbed Angela’s bags and sat them in the back of his SUV. Angela had packed up most of her clothes and a few personal mementos. She knew that she would have to fly back to Miami once her house sold and would take care of the rest of her stuff when the time came.
One step at a time.
They drove out of the pick-up area of the airport and headed towards Thomas’s loft. It was about a half an hour drive. Angela met Thomas in her first year of University and he had become very close to Angela and Blake. All three instantly became the best of friends. Inseparable.
Looking over at Thomas, she thought about all the flights he had taken to be with them almost every second weekend. The late night talks and sob fests kept her sane and he cooked her food and made sure she ate it, which kept her healthy. When Blake got so sick that even helping him with his medications was unbearable at times, he did that too. After Blake was gone and Angela knew she had to get out of Miami, she listed their house and Thomas set her up with a new job in LA. She couldn’t have wished for a better friend. Thomas was the total package.
“I have a surprise waiting for you at the loft,” his green eyes beamed at her.
“Thomas, you have already done so much for me.” Angela said, turning to look at her friend. He really had done, too much.
“It nothing big Ang, you’ll see.” He chuckled.
They finally arrived at his loft in Downtown L.A. Angela accepted Thomas’s offer of moving in with him until she became familiar with the city and found herself an apartment.
She found Los Angeles to be similar and yet different than Miami, especially the heat; the packed cars, long stretch limos and yellow taxis that congested the streets. The noise from the people and small outside cafes were loud and annoying. Looking around Angela knew that it would definitely take her time to adjust to this new life which was well out of her comfort zone.
Following Thomas into the building, they were greeted by the doorman who looked like he was in his late 60’s.
“Glen, this is Angela Black, my new roommate.” Thomas gestured.
Tipping his hat towards her he said, “It’s very nice to meet you Ms. Black.”
“Thank you very much.” Angela smiled.
They rode the elevator to the 12th floor finally arriving at Thomas’s loft. Opening the door, Thomas motioned his arm for Angela to enter.
Walking down the entry hall, she laid her bag down. She turned right entering the space and was in awe. It was beautiful and larger than she had expected.
“OMG, you’re here!” she heard a female’s voice coming from behind her. Turning around she saw her long-time girlfriend Joanne Livingston. She hadn’t seen her since she and Blake’s wedding.
“My God, I’m so happy you’re here,” Jo said, wrapping her arms around Angela. “I’ve missed you so much.” She beamed.
“Joanne.” Angela said hugging her back just as hard. “I had no idea you would be here. When did you get back?”
“Two months ago. It’s been insane or I would of went to Miami and driven you here myself.” She giggled. “How was your flight?”
“Long and exhausting, even though it was only four hours.” She smiled.
“Ok, enough of the sisterly love. Let me show you around while Jo makes us a much needed drink.” Thomas grabbed Angela and winked at Joanne.
As Angela walked through the large living room she took in the high ceilings. They had to be at least ten feet high. There were large pane windows overlooking the city and to the left was another hallway that led to three bedrooms and a bathroom. It was modern in style and you could see it was a bachelor pad without a woman’s touch. Mostly dark greys, stainless steel and black throughout the loft.
It was beautiful and nothing she would have expected Thomas to be living in. Her bedroom was overly large with a queen size bed and a walk in closet. She walked over to the window which had a view of Grant Avenue. It was perfect and all she would need until she found something for herself. Thomas laid her bags on her bed. “What do you think?” He asked.
“I can’t thank you enough Thomas. I’ll never be able to repay you for your generosity. You have been such a good friend.” She said wrapping her arms around his neck giving him a hug.
Thomas gave her a quick hug back and put his hands on her waist pushing her away slightly. “Hey, you’re welcome. That’s what friends are for Angela. Everything is going to be ok. Things will get better. I promise.” He gave her a light kiss on her forehead. “Now let’s go and have a drink.” He winked.
After she had taken in every square inch of the loft, they sat on the large black leather sectional that faced the living room window. Angela and Joanne drank their cosmos while Thomas drank his beer. Joanne always had made killer cosmos. She first introduced the drink to Angela when they met in their second year of University. Joanne had always been a great friend but they lost touch after Angela’s wedding. Joanne had graduated from nursing school and then took a job out of the country for a few years.
“It is so good to see you Ang. Thomas has kept me up to speed with everything that has happened. Just know that I am so sorry about Blake and that I would have been there for the funeral if I could have been.” She gave Angela a weak smile.
“It’s been a rough year, but I am working through it and hopefully this change will be for the better.” Angela’s smile matched Joanne’s.
She was excited to be in Los Angeles, to start her new life but she was also nervous and overwhelmed with her emotions over leaving her home in Miami… Leaving Blake.
“It’s really good to see you too Jo.” Angela took a sip of her drink. Joanne jumped up off the sectional and walked over to the window. “Well, Thomas told me you have two weeks before you start your new job. That will give us enough time to break you in and make you a true California girl!” Jo laughed walking back over to the sectional.
“Oh yeah, so many clubs to bring you to,” Thomas laughed.
“I hope you still know how to dance,” Jo stated.
“Jesus, you two, I’m 24 not 64.” Angela laughed out loud.
They spent the rest of the evening catching up, all three of them just relaxing like old friends back in school, sipping their drinks, laughing and not bringing up Miami. For now that was in the past and would stay there until Angela got a grip on this new chapter of her life.