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I got up, walking towards the wooden balcony where I spent my early years listening to her stories. I crossed over, and this time I landed without falling, even though my knee still hurt from the earlier act.
I saw light coming from the kitchen and I swallowed the nerves burning in my throat. It was now or never. With that, I rang the doorbell. Twice. Consecutively. A knock might alert the neighbors.
I could hear shuffling and grumbling before the doors pulled open. Her eyes and mouth widened in surprise and shock.
“Olivia?”
A while later,I’m seated in Aunt Nelly's cozy kitchen, a warm cup of tea cradled between my hands. The scent of the brew wafted through the air, mingling with the aroma of freshly baked bread. It was a small haven of comfort in this storm that had become my life.
My clothes, soaked from the rain, had been replaced with soft, warm garments Aunt Nelly had tucked away for times like these.
The flickering flames of the fireplace cast dancing shadows across the room, providing a gentle warmth that soothed my chilled bones. We were both wrapped in an unspoken understanding, a silent agreement not to share the weight of my unspoken pain. I was grateful for Aunt Nelly's presence, but the thought of a conversation felt like an effort beyond my capacity right now.
In my mind, the events of the past week played on a loop like a torturous film reel. The image of the wedding ceremony I fled from, the faces of family and guests, and most painfully, Jack's face. His deceit cut deep, and I couldn’t help but shed tears anew.
How could I’ve been so naive, so foolish to fall for his facade? I allowed myself to believe in his charming exterior, failing to see the snake lurking beneath.
The pain of the betrayal stung my heart, and my thoughts wandered to the concept of love itself. Was my love truly not enough? Not for him, not for anyone?
I trusted too easily, giving away pieces of myself, only to be left broken in return. My fingers traced the rim of the teacup as I allowed these thoughts to consume me, drowning me in a sea of regret and sorrow.
The softness of the couch I was seated on beckoned, and I found myself leaning back, surrendering to its embrace. My eyes fluttered, heavy with the weight of my emotions. Amid my turmoil, sleep was creeping in like a balm, offering temporary respite from my heartache.
“You need to rest, Olivia.” I heard her say in a subtle voice. She could see through my pain, but asking me wasn’t an option and she was right.
“Yeah, I need to, Aunt Nelly.”
“Then, go ahead. I’m sure you still remember the bedroom?”
I smiled, “I’ll never forget.”
I started my walk up the stairs in silence, pretty sure she was looking at me from behind. I wasn’t far up when her gentle voice broke the silence. This time, her tone was carrying both curiosity and concern.
"Olivia, dear, how long do you think you'll be staying here?" she asked.
I paused, my gaze drifting towards the fire as I contemplated her question. "I don't know, Aunt Nelly," I admitted, my voice soft. "I might be here for quite a while."
She nodded, as if sensing the weight of my unspoken thoughts. "Sorry I’ve to bring this up, but were you thinking of relocating here?" she inquired gently, her words hanging in the air.
I offered a small shrug, my gaze returning to meet hers. "Maybe," I replied, my uncertainty mirroring the stormy skies outside. The truth was, I didn't have all the answers, and that was okay for now.
The conversation shifted, and Aunt Nelly's inquisitive nature led her on. She wondered aloud, "What about your job? Have you thought about that?"
I considered her question, my mind drifting to a future where I’d regain a sense of purpose. "I've thought about it," I said, a hint of determination creeping into my voice. "I’d find a way to get into one of those vet clinics here in Texas. Maybe even in a neighboring county."
“That’s fine. You can stay here for as long as you want, Olivia. It’s your home too after all, and yes, I already know what’s going on.
But trust me, you’ll get over it, no matter how bad.” She smiled.
“Aunt Nelly is always here for you.”
Her words got to me, and I wanted to run down and hug her right where she was. I was too tired to, though.
As if on cue, the evening took a dramatic turn and did it for me. Thunder rumbled in the distance, heralding the arrival of a heavy rainfall. The drops against the windowpane sounded like the tears of the night, weeping on my behalf.
The gloomy weather seemed to mirror the thoughts swirling within me.
“Thanks, Aunt Nelly. I’ll head up now.”
