The sun is setting, I'm exhausted and looking around, it appears I've accomplished very little. Piles of crumpled newspaper clutters the kitchen floor, and the faint sound of the dishwasher is somehow comforting. I walk into the mudroom and pull the freshly laundered towels from the dryer. Does anything feel better than warm towels? I push the damp sheets and pillowcases into the dryer and press start. The house feels like it's humming with activity now, and I don't feel quite so alone.
Cable and internet will be installed tomorrow so it looks like it's just music for me tonight. I dig through a few boxes to find my iPod cradle, and soon the empty living room fills with familiar songs. I slump into the over-sized armchair and make quick work of folding the clean laundry.
Unpack and then you can invite him over. Where did that come from? Maybe I am a little short on motivation right now, but it's not like he was seriously going to come for drinks. Was he? He did say he would love to. Didn't he? Yeah, he actually used the word love. That's a commitment. He is going to come for drinks.
Suddenly, an energy courses through my veins, and I am a woman obsessed. I grab my keys and start breaking down all the empty boxes. That alone makes a huge difference. I unload the dishwasher and load it up again with more newspaper stained plates and glasses. This is good. Moving in is good. I might have a new friend, and work starts next week and then I'll be so busy I won't notice how lonely I am. Keep moving.
Sam Cooke starts crooning about spending all of his life waiting for... not this song. My heart tightens and tears threaten to spill over. I escape to the front porch and start moving the wicker furniture into a comfortable seating arrangement. The final cushion fluffed and in place, it looks nice. Warm and inviting. I curl up on the loveseat and look out at my new street. It's bathed in the deep blues and purples of evening. I close my eyes and breathe, deep calming breaths. The buzzer from the dryer startles me and I remember the task at hand.
Fresh sheets stretched over the king sized mattress is so inviting. I check my phone and it's already 11:14pm. It's been a long day. I have another long day in front of me tomorrow. Give into it. And with that blessing, I fall swiftly into a dreamless sleep.
Waking up in a new place for the first time is disorienting. I look around the master bedroom and it's a sea of brown cardboard. Ugh. Well, no time like the present. I tug open the nearest box. Office supplies. Great. I push the box into the hall into the empty room that will hopefully become my workspace. I haven't quite decided on what to do with all the rooms. I open a second box. Bingo! Hairdryer, hair straightener, and dozens of bottles of product. I start unpacking these precious items into the master en suite. Habit has me reserving half the space for him. He doesn't live here, I remind myself. I read somewhere that you can trick yourself into being happy by smiling. Smile through the suffering. With a phony grin plastered to my face I keep unpacking, filling the space with my things. This is my space now.
An indulgently long shower is exactly what I needed. I pull some jeans from my suitcase and grab a black button down, rolling up the sleeves as I give myself a once-over in the closet mirror. I've looked worse. Okay, priorities! The cable guy is coming around 1, that give me four hours.
I grab my purse and keys and head out to the market. Starbucks catches my eye first and I quickly find an open spot out front. Do not hit the Range Rover. I'm not the best at parking...or driving for that matter. Success!
Wow, it's busy for a Wednesday morning. Shouldn't people be at work? You're not at work. Well, that's different. My job is more flexible. I look around and it's mostly women. Stay at home moms and housewives. I don't know why, but I feel guilty for thinking that. Nearly everyone is clustered around a table in the back, leaving the counter empty. I give the menu board a quick glance, I'm not sure why, I get the same thing every time.
The two baristas are distracted, busy watching the excitement at the back of the coffee shop. I clear my throat and smile. The male employee notices me first. "Sorry about that, celebrity encounter." He points the small cluster of customers. "What can I get you?"
Celebrity? We don't start filming for weeks, but it's possible...
"Can I get a tall soy mocha, no whip?" I keep myself firmly turned from all the commotion. I really don't feel like playing friendly with anyone from work today. I hand over a few bills and toss the change I've given into the tip jar. It's tempting, but I manage not to look behind me.
A trio of women walk past me, their enthusiasm practically radiates off their skin. "I can't believe how handsome he is!" They all swoon and giggle as they leave the shop. Under no circumstances are you to turn around. I need to get out of here. For some reason I thought the actors would be staying at apartments in the city. Isn't that what we discussed? Either way, I don't technically start working until next week and I need every second of that time to get my life straightened out. My new life, I remind myself.
Coffee in hand, I'm out the door and jump into my car. Do not hit the Range Rover. A few tense parking maneuvers later and I'm back on the road. Not even a scratch!