Take Me Home
Chapter 1
"Good Morning, Lacey!" Artemis Crock's voice rang through the medium-sized room as she entered from the frigid cold.
The middle aged woman sent her a warm smile as the gusts of wind from the busy Boston streets blew through the doorframe.
It was one of the coldest winters on record in Boston and gave no signs of letting up. The snow that had fallen two weeks ago and has not been given the chance to melt. Bone-chilling temperatures called for immense layers of clothing, chunky snow boots and a lot of hot chocolate. The minor road-block could not keep Artemis from trekking out to her Honda and driving down to the small soup kitchen about a mile from her apartment.
Volunteering and donating her time was something she had picked up from her mother. Paula used to take her young daughter to a nearby community garden that she was tending along with some other neighbors. The abandoned lot was transformed into a space where neighbors could take turns tending the garden and spending time with family. There was an antique bench in the corner and a hand-laid stone path that she herself had helped form. It was her mother's pride and joy. Through the process of creating the garden, Artemis began to understand the importance of helping others and showing that a little care could go a long way. The feeling that she received from donating her time could never be recreated, it became one of her passions. Unfortunately, last summer her mother lost her battle with breast cancer and passed away. Artemis was torn apart and felt like there was no stability in her life. One day she was taking a walk around town and came across the beautiful garden that they put together all those years ago. She lowered herself on to the bench with caution, afraid that the old thing would collapse, but it didn't. It stayed strong all these years. This was the stability in her life, volunteering was the one thing that didn't change. In the memory and honor of her mother, she would continue to spread her care and love.
She inhaled deeply as the smells of home-cooked dishes warmed her soul and her being. Artemis graced Lacey and the other volunteers with a smile as she started to pull off her dark green pea coat. The warmth of the room engulfed her as the cold started to leave her body. She let out a sigh of relief as she readied herself to face the day. After the women drank their coffee they settled behind the counter of hot food that was waiting to be served. In no less than ten minutes, people started to stroll in from the busy city streets. Artemis couldn't help but notice their lack of winter clothing. Many of them only had light sweaters on their backs because it was all they could salvage.
"Morning, Arty!" A toothless Bobby tipped his worn out Red Sox cap at the blonde.
"Hey, Bobby! How are you today?" She asked as she readied a plate of scrambled eggs for him.
"Pretty good, the Sox aren't doing well. They lost the last two games. I can barely stand it. It's about time they put me, you know?" He let out a frustrated sigh as he itched his scraggly gray beard.
"That's unfortunate, there's always next time. You never know, maybe you'll suit up and play in the big leagues." She winked down at the man offering a good-hearted smile.
"Artemis, you always seem to cheer me up on my worst days. I'll make sure to hook you up with tickets when I play." He grinned widely as he took the plate from her small hands.
As he walked away and took a seat in one of the folding chairs, Artemis couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips. Sure, there was probably a very slim chance that Bobby would play for the Red Sox, but it made him happy. In the end isn't that all that matters? For a few minutes all his worries and doubts would alleviate and that was a gift within it self.
"Do we need any refills of anything?" Lacey's raspy voice cut through Artemis' thoughts, bringing her back to reality.
"Not right now, we'll be needing some more rolls soon though." Artemis motioned her head over to the almost-empty basket.
"Sure thing." She paused skimming the morning crowd that were happily enjoying themselves. "How's Bobby?" Lacey asked with concern, cleaning her hands on her apron.
Five months ago, Bobby was crossing the street and was hit by a car. The driver claims that he didn't see the frail man but Bobby says otherwise. He now walks around with a limp and has moments of memory loss.
"He was in a great mood and came in with a spring in his step. He looks so much better, thank God." Artemis ended her sentence with a relieved sigh as one of Bobby's laughs cut through the cafeteria.
"Good, good. Artemis you have no idea what your kindness means to these people. Bless you." Lacey beamed up at the young adult and caressed Artemis' cheek with her hand.
"Thanks, it means a lot. It just comes naturally to me, almost like my true calling." Artemis shrugged bashfully as the other woman gave her a genuine grin.
"Well, I better go pop those rolls in the oven." She winked at the blonde before scurrying off into the kitchen.
Once she was out of sight, Artemis started to stack plastic cups at the beginning of the buffet so that they would be available for people to use. When someone tapped her shoulder and pulled her from her thoughts, she whipped her body around in shock. Her unplanned movements caused the cups in her hand to start bouncing all over the linoleum floor. She let out a huff as she bent down to retrieve the cups and to hide her embarrassment.
"Let me help you." He spoke as he kneeled down beside her to retrieve the remaining cups.
"Thanks, but you don't have to." Artemis lifted her head to speak and found herself at a loss for words.
"Wally?" She blurted out, instantly wishing she hadn't said anything.
"This was it, he's going to ask me to be his girlfriend." A young Artemis has thought to herself as the two made their way to Wally's house. Fourteen year-old Wally West had brought his long-time best friend to the large oak tree in his backyard where he and his father had built a tree house. Artemis had been too excited and nervous to notice the gloomy expression he was displaying.
"Arty, there's something I need to tell you." He swallowed as he brought his eyes down to meet hers.
"You know you can tell me anything." She nodded trying to keep her composure.
He took her hands between his and shook his head slightly before speaking. Artemis furrowed her brows together with confusion, not understanding his actions.
"I'm moving." He said simply before meeting her stormy-gray eyes once more. "We're leaving for California on Friday."
She opened and closed her mouth a few times, not being able to speak. Artemis closed her eyes for a quick moment and shook her head violently. He was leaving? Everything around them seemed to stop and she couldn't overcome the shock.
"Friday is in two days! Why didn't you tell me?" She pressed as her emotions started to take over.
"Because, I didn't know how to tell you. God, Artemis I don't want to leave but I have no choice." Wally stared into her eyes hopelessly, trying to stay level headed.
"California's on the other side of the world! I'll never see you." Artemis exclaimed running her fingers through her locks with frustration.
"We'll make it work, I promise." Wally pleaded knowing that his words held no truth.
"It's easier said than done." She said softly dropping her vision to the grass beneath their feet.
"Artemis, look at me." He pleaded once more placing his finger under her chin to meet her eyes.
She couldn't hold the tears in any longer as they had made their way over the brims of her eyes and fell down her cheeks.
"For the longest time, I've wanted to tell you how I feel. I shouldn't have waited this long, it wasn't fair to you. Artemis I-." Wally's passionate words were cut off by Artemis flinging herself into his chest and pressing her lips to his.
It took him a moment to adjust to the new position but soon wrapped his arms around her, cascading his lips over hers. The salty taste of tears could be tasted on their tongues and at that moment, it didn't matter whose they were. Artemis was the first to pull away from what could have been a steamy make-out session. She laid a hand on the side of his face and smiled sadly as he turned into it.
"Let's not make any promises we can't keep. Wall-man, if it's meant to be it will be. It will only be more painful for the both of us, if we start pouring our feelings to each other. You mean the world to me, and right now, that's all that needs to be said." Artemis' voice became shaky towards the end as a single tear made it's way down Wally's freckled-cheek.
She leaned forward and kissed it gently, holding her breath and praying that she wouldn't break down in his arms. It would only make things more complicated than they were becoming.
"You will always hold a special place in my heart Artemis Crock." His voice betrayed him breaking when her name fell off his lips.
"And right now, that's all I need to hear." She enveloped him into a hug and rested her head on his broad shoulder.
That was one of the last times that she saw him. For the first few years they would try and keep in touch but it didn't last long. They were no longer apart of each others lives.
He hadn't changed at all, except for the light-orange beard he was growing and the length of his untamed hair. His emerald-colored eyes were still captivating and his smile could still weaken any girls' knees. Those freckles of his were still dusted over his boyish features just like they had been ten years ago. This was all well and good, but what was he doing here, in a soup kitchen?
"Artemis, what are you doing here?" Wally West raised his thick eyebrows in shock as he recognized Artemis Crock.
"I could ask you the same thing." She responded still trying to overcome the reappearance of Wally.
The redness that was flushing his chiseled face was hinting possible embarrassment, just like it used to when they were kids. She smiled at the memory then shook it away trying to focus on the cause it hand. Artemis didn't know how long they were staring back at each other on the floor but by the looks of the staff it must have been a while. The two young adults went to stand up at the same time and bumped their foreheads.
"Jesus, are you okay?" He asked holding his own head trying to hide his already-red face.
"I've had worse. Just tell me what you're doing here, I have to get back to work." She huffed rubbing her sore temple.
This entire encounter was giving her a migraine and she would need some Advil in the near future. What was this man doing here?
"Y-you work here?" The shocked expression returned to his face and his mouth fell agape.
"Yes, I'm pretty sure I already said that." Artemis was growing impatient, he could tell because she had her hands on her hips.
This gave Artemis a chance to really look at him. He was not as muscular as he used to be, he was actually a little malnourished. His face was very defined and the dark-bags under his eyes were a hint that he didn't get much sleep. She also noticed how visible his collarbones were and had the urge to reach out and run her fingertips across them. Wally was never scruffy, he always made sure that he was clean shaven. She remembered how he would always tell her how he didn't like facial hair. Artemis' orbs left his face and traveled down to his apparel. His leather jacket was worn out in a couple of places.
There was something wrong with this picture.
All the puzzle pieces were being pieced together, there was a reason that Wally was here. It all suddenly made sense and this time there was no cocincidence.
Wally was homeless.
This is my first story, please review and tell me what you think!(:
Gabby