Page 106 of Home Is Where You Are

A few hours later all five boxes were unpacked, my meager belongings now spread intricately throughout the space.

Walking into the kitchen, I set the oven to preheat as I went to take a shower to wash the day away. I took in the warmth of the water that eased the ache in my shoulders after I washed my body.

I shut off the shower and wrapped myself in a towel as I walked into my room to get ready.

Pulling out the baby blue sundress, I held it up and admired its simplicity. I wanted to look nice for our dinner even though we weren’t going out.

I pulled the material over my head and looked in the mirror on the dresser.

The color made my eyes shine a brighter hue of blue and I smiled, satisfied with my reflection.

The oven beeped, and I broke out of my thoughts and hurriedly walked into the kitchen.

I grabbed the ingredients from the fridge to make homemade pizzas. Well, the dough wasn’t homemade, but still.

I added all the toppings and sauce to the supreme pizza, making sure to cover it with a healthy amount of cheese. As I popped it into the oven, I heard a knock on the door.

Rushing over, I pulled the door open to find a handsome Gentry on the other side.

“You didn’t have to knock, silly. Come on in,” I told him as I fully opened the door so he could step inside.

Confusion marred his face as he looked around the living room.

“What’re we doing here, butterfly?” he asked, his voice laced with pain.

I knew coming here would be as hard for him as it was for me, but I tried to focus on the positives rather than the bedroom door at the end of the hall that still had the door closed. I wanted us to walk into that room together, feel our shared pain, and hopefully, by the end of the night, we’d both feel a little lighter and wouldn’t look at the room with so much sorrow.

“Let’s talk about that over dinner,” I told him as I ushered him to follow me into the eat-in kitchen.

“I only grabbed water and soda at the store. Which would you prefer?” I asked as I walked over to the fridge and grabbed a soda for myself.

“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” he replied as I heard him pull out a chair and take a seat at the table.

After grabbing the other soda, I grabbed us each a glass and walked back to the table.

We sat in silence for a moment. I studied his face as he looked around the kitchen, taking it all in.

“What smells so good?”

“I made a homemade pizza. It’s one of the few things I mastered while at college.” I laughed as I recalled the memory of my first attempt. I burnt that pizza to a crisp, and smoke filled our apartment. So much smoke that the fire department got called.

Before he could reply, the oven beeped. He went to stand, but I told him to stay seated as I went over and pulled the pizza from the oven.

I cut the pizza as evenly as I could and plated our food. With a deep breath, I carried the plates back over to the table, readying myself to have the conversation Gentry patiently waited for us to have.

“One of the topics I discussed with the therapist was how I felt living back home with my parents and how haunted my old room makes me feel. I told her I had this house just sitting here, and she encouraged me to be open about my feelings with my parents. After my appointment, I talked in depth with my mom about either moving into another room, or moving in here. She settled one of my fears and told me the nursery had already been cleared out, which was one reason I knew would hold me back from moving. I told her how I felt like I needed my own space, and she encouraged me to make the decision that felt right for me.”

“I take it with us having dinner here, you decided moving in here was the best option?” The questioning look in Gentry’s gaze told me he thought I might not be ready to live on my own, but not once had I felt an ounce of anxiety in the hours I’d spent here today.

“I made a lot of decisions today, including accepting the position at the ranch,” I explained.

“Are you sure you’re not moving too fast and that you’re ready?”

I loved how he worried about me, but there was another reason I’d asked him to dinner.

“I’ve lived the past four years surviving, not taking any chances, just doing what I needed to do to get the best grades and graduate. I felt like a lightbulb went off, and I’m ready to start my life. Here in Texas. At the ranch I’ve loved my whole life. With you by my side. I finally feel like I have a reason to live again and not just exist in a world where I buried my pain. I know I’m going to have good days and bad days, but I’m ready to face them. And when we’re done eating, I’m ready to face the next challenge together if you’re up for it,” I said as I blew on my slice of pizza before taking a bite.

Gentry took a bite of his and moaned.