I stay in the shower until the water runs cold. Slipping into my old comfort clothes, I dial room service and order some breakfast. I choose comfort food, biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon. I’d never had it until I went to live with Elaine. It quickly became my favorite. I make a mental note to pull out her old recipe and work at perfecting it. Breakfast finished, I grab my keys, phone, purse, and head toward the Corner Pocket. I’m going to be early, but I’d rather wait on Molly than her wait on me. She’s given me a place to stay and a job; I owe her everything.
To my surprise, Molly is already at the Corner Pocket. She’s sitting in her car talking on her cell phone. She waves, and I motion to let her know that I’ll drive.
“Thanks,” she says, after opening the passenger door and climbing in. “You want to see the place first, get an idea of what color paint you want?”
“Honestly, it could be shit brown with bright orange polka dots and I’d be good with it. Thank you so much, Molly. Really,” I say for emphasis.
“You’re doing us a favor actually. We’ve been meaning to get it together and just haven’t done it.”
“We need to talk about rent,” I remind her.
“Why don’t we go take a look first. Then you can decide if you think you can live there.”
“I don’t have the option to be picky right now.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what you’re going through,” she says softly.
Just like last night, the word vomit erupts. “I moved here for him, with him actually. We went to college together, and he was from here. We both work for his family’s real estate business.”
“Wait? What’s this guy’s name?”
“Pete Victor, you know him?”
She scoffs. “Yeah, I know him. He’s an ass. We all went to school together. He thinks he’s entitled.”
“Yeah,” I say softly.
“Saylor, I’m sorry. That was insensitive of me.”
“No, you’re right. I just wish I found out a little sooner, before I left it all for him.”
“What about your family? Is moving back to Cincinnati out of the question?”
I hate talking about it, about my past. Molly is nice and has kind of taken me under her wing. Since I’m going to be living above her garage and working for her and her fiancé, the least I can do is tell her my background. “No family. I was in foster care until I was twelve. Well, I mean, technically I was still in foster care, but only one home. Elaine, she took me in. She was my social worker. She was my only family.”
“Was?” Molly asks gently.
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Yeah, she passed away last month.”
“Oh, Saylor.” She places her hand on my arm. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. She was amazing. So, yeah, no family to speak of. My best friend, Tara, lives in Cincy still. She offered to let me stay with her, but I just can’t go back there. Everything reminds me of Elaine. She was home, not the town.”
“So you left there to come here after she passed?” she asks.
“No. Pete was always moving back home to work for the family business. He begged me to come with him. Convinced me it was the next step for us. I moved out of Elaine’s house and moved here. I feel so damn guilty for leaving her. He fucked me over, and she was alone when she died.” I feel the hot tears as they prick the back of my eyes. I blink hard, trying to keep them at bay.
“He’s an ass. Elaine loved you, Saylor. I’m sure she was thrilled to know you had a good start at life, a job, your education. She would be proud of you.”
“Would she? I mean, do you think she would be happy that I left the only home I’ve ever known, the only family I’ve ever known, to be left by my live-in boyfriend who is marrying his secretary/baby mama?”
“She would be. You know why?”
I don’t answer her. My emotions are too strong, and my grip is slipping. I’m about to lose my shit in front of my new boss/landlord.
“She loved you first of all. Second, look at you. You’re not sitting in that hotel room wallowing in self-pity. You’re standing up, dusting off, and moving forward. She raised you to be strong and independent, and she would be damn proud of you for it.”
“You didn’t see me in the shower this morning, losing my shit,” I whisper, but she hears me.
“True, but your entitled to break down, multiple times if necessary. Hell, how long did you say the two of you were together?”
“About three and a half years. We started dating sophomore year in college.”
“See, that’s a long damn time. You’re human, Saylor. You have to grieve the loss of what could have been, but not the loss of that asshat. You deserve better.”
I can’t help but laugh at that. “Thanks, Molly.”
“You’re welcome. Turn right here.” She points to the next road. “First house on the left.”
“Wow, this place is nice,” I say, looking at the sprawling brick ranch.
“Thanks. We bought it about two years ago. We remodeled it ourselves. Well, Jake remodeled it himself. I just assisted.” She laughs.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you, we like it. Pull up next to the detached garage.” She points in front of us. “The people we bought it off of had a son in college who wanted his own space. They built him this apartment over the garage. It’s pretty sweet.”
I park in front of the garage like she said, and we both climb out. I follow Molly up the side steps and wait for her to unlock the door.
“Here we are, home sweet home.” She grins.
“Wow, this is great and bigger than I was expecting.”
“Yeah, it’s like nine hundred square feet or something close to that. One bedroom, one bathroom, living room, eat-in kitchen, open concept as you can see.” She waves her arms across the room. “It’s all yours.”
“How much?” I ask. I really want it. It’s better than anything I could afford from an apartment complex.
“Jake and I talked about it last night, and really we’re just happy to help you out. How about you buy the paint, and we’ll call it good for the first month’s rent?”
“Molly, this place is great. Where does it need paint?” I ask her. The walls are a cream color, and they look immaculate to me.
“The bathroom and bedroom need to be painted. So what do you say?”
“That’s hardly fair. That’s what, a hundred bucks in paint?”
She shrugs. “A hundred dollars a month it is. You’re hooked up to our water and electric, so a contribution to that, say fifty a month? I can’t imagine you would use more than that.”
“Seriously? One fifty?”
“Sounds good to me.” She holds out her hand for me to shake. I take it and smile at her. “Now, let’s take a look at those two rooms and go get some paint. I’m helping. I got a ton of experience from our remodel.”
“Don’t you have to work today?”
“Nope. Jake has it under control. He knows we’re painting, and then we’re going to go pick up your stuff. So go ahead and call asshat and let him know we’ll be there later and he shouldn’t be.”
“Molly, you don’t have to do this.”
“You’re right, I don’t have to. I want to. Come on, I’m good at it.” She gives me a big goofy grin.
“I can’t thank you and Jake enough for this, I mean…”
“You just did. We’re glad to help. Now come on.” She grabs my hand and pulls me first to the bathroom and then the bedroom.
She’s right, they both need to be painted. “I think the cream works. Keep it neutral that way the next person doesn’t have to paint again.”
“Moving out already?” she asks.
“No.” I laugh. “Just thinking ahead. It’s my thing, you know. Nothing ever stays the same.”
“I have a feeling things are about to change for you.”
“Really? What makes you say that?”
“I have this feeling. I can’t really explain it. I’m not psychic or anything,” she says when she sees my not-so-convinced facial expression. “I’m a good judge of character, situations, and things like that. I’m usually right. Ask Jake.”
“Yeah, right. He’s going to agree with you regardless. He knows who keeps his bed warm at night.”
“True story,” she says with a laugh. “But for real, I see good things for you, Saylor.”
“Let’s go get some paint, crazy girl.” I grab her arm and pull her out the door. I like Molly; she’s easy to talk to and reminds me a lot of Tara. I need to think of something nice to do for her and Jake. They have saved me so much worry and stress. I’ll think of something. I invested the money from Elaine’s house so without the job at the bar, I’d be hosed. It was Pete’s idea and although it was a good one, now the money is tied up and I can’t access it for a few years without giant penalties.
“Did you text asshat?” Molly asks as soon as we get in the car.
“No, but I’ll do that now.”
Me: I’ll be there later today to get my stuff. Don’t be there.
Pete: Come on, Saylor. Can we not be adults about this?
Me: I don’t know, can you? Were you acting like a responsible adult when you stuck your dick in Tabitha? Don’t be there.
Pete: What has gotten into you? You’re better than this.
Me: I know. You did me a favor. I’ll text you when I’m done, and you can come back.
I toss my phone into the cupholder. It’s time to get paint, a new coat for a new chapter in life.