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KACI
Once I was finished painting the last wall I got everything all cleaned up. Walking around the house I made sure everything was picked up off the floors and that they were all swept. They were coming to install the carpet and tile tomorrow. The house wasn’t very big so they figured it would only take three or four days. Until then I didn’t know what the heck to do. Job. I needed a job.
Heading back to mom and dads I hoped in the shower. They were in bed long ago. It was late and I was exhausted. My arms screamed at me as I washed my hair. My back was pretty sore from all the work I had been doing. After my shower I went back to my room and did some stretches.
Laying on my bed with the heating pad underneath me I scrolled aimlessly through my phone. Luke didn’t post on social media much but it didn’t keep me from checking photos he had been tagged in. Most were him and Drake hunting. Or ones of him and Lilly, his older sister.
I pulled up his name to send a text message. No, not yet. All the old messages were still there. The last one sent by him on June 10th.
Drive safe baby
Tears filled my eyes. Plugging my phone in I placed it on my night stand and cried myself to sleep. I didn’t want to do this anymore. I couldn’t even remember the reason I felt I needed to in the first place.
The next morning, I decided to head into town and look around while also stocking up on all things house. I paced aimlessly around a furniture store waiting for someone to help me. I had it narrowed down to two different chairs but I wanted to know if they had a matching love seat or not.
Once I tracked someone down I went with the style they had in a matching set. I also decided to get a new bedroom set. It was on sale and I wanted a set in the spare room. I didn’t know who would ever stay over except when Gracey and I had our wine nights. Even then we usually crashed together.
Mom said she had grandmas old table and chairs in the storage shed for me. I couldn’t remember what they looked like but I would probably refinish them. With all the furniture picked out and set to arrive it was time for some decorations. You know other than pictures of Luke and I together plastering my childhood room.
Wondering down the street to the next store I passed a boutique with a ‘Help Wanted’ sign on the door. I made my way into the store and asked to talk to the manager. Turns out she was there and wanted to do an interview right on the spot. When I told her I could start Monday she practically jumped up and down.
With a job secured I was feeling pretty good. It wasn’t the job I had worked my ass off for but it was a job. I felt good about it. Like I was back on track to becoming the old Kaci. Myself again. But who the hell was I anymore?
Wasn’t that the whole point? Find myself outside of Luke?
Absently I rubbed at my ring finger. I missed the weight. The feeling of looking down and smiling at it because it was mine. He chose it just for me. He chose me.
I needed to see him sooner rather than later.
But not until the house was complete.
I could only handle one dumpster fire at a time.
The guys had the tile done in the bathroom and kitchen areas so I was able to start moving some stuff in. Mom helped me find a used washer and dryer set online for fairly cheap. She knew the lady so it took forever to get out of there when we went to pick it up. Thank God for Gracey having Drake’s setup still.
Before wheeling them into the laundry room we put up some shelves I had in my room at mom and dads that I painted. That way I would have somewhere to put my laundry detergent and dryer sheets.
Once everything was set up in the laundry room, we hauled all the groceries in that we got in town yesterday. I still didn’t have the courage to go anywhere in this town. It would be out soon enough that I was back and then the rumors would fly.
Shaking the thoughts out of my head I finished stocking the kitchen cupboards. I had everything I needed plus some. Just one thing was missing. Or rather a someone.
“Well I think that’s the last of it.” Gracey crossed her arms pacing the kitchen. “I got all your stuff in the bathroom organized and you got the kitchen. I guess we have to wait a couple days until we can bring everything else in huh?”
“Yeah I guess so.” The realization was starting to set in. I would be out here in the country, in this house, alone. Was it possible to be both sad and happy about something all at once?
Gracey walked into the living room where the carpet guys were working. “Excuse me?”
“Yeah?” The skinnier of the two answered.
“When do you think you’ll be done in here?” She waved around her hands.
“The bedrooms are done but well have to come back tomorrow to finish stretching this main area and tack it down.”
“So we can put stuff in the bedrooms?”
“Well yes but no furniture just yet with this carpet not completely laid since you’ll be tracking through.”
“Thank you! When you’re done you can see yourselves out.” Gracey skipped back to me. “Okay let’s go finish packing!”
