It's dark as Lahela sits beneath the palm tree on the beach. It is late, and everyone at her house has been sound asleep for hours. She drowns out the sound of the fauna singing in the night air. She wears an oversized t-shirt, and a pair of cotton shorts. Her mind wanders aimlessly searching for an answer as she stares at the horizon. Her knees are drawn to her chest as she hopes for an answer.
The sound of someone clearing their throat draws her back to reality. Her eyes light up as a familiar figure sits down in the sand next to her. Her furrows his brow as he wipes the tears from her cheeks.
"I've kept you waiting for too long. Four months is a long time," he assumes.
She tries to muster a smile, but her attempt proves futile, "That's not it."
"I was gone far too long. I missed you more every day. Who knew that the tour would be extended, and then I would be offered a chance to stay longer for an endorsement."
"Don't apologize for following your dreams."
He kisses her shoulder as her t-shirt hangs off it. He inhales her scent.
"Lahela I've missed everything about you."
She pulls away, and shakes her head, "I should go back in before someone misses me."
"I just got back," Walter points out.
"I know, but I've got work in the morning," she reminds him.
"Are you upset with me? Have I done something wrong? Is this about the night before I left?"
Her eyes meet his for a second, but quickly shift elsewhere. "I stand by my decisions. I am not upset with you about a mutual decision. I'm just tired. We need to talk, but not tonight."
"Okay," he agrees planting a kiss on her cheek.
They set off in separate directions. She eventually settles into her bed knowing sleep will be an elusive fox. Her thoughts can't help but veer off toward the night before Walter left.
It is late when she wanders outside to the water. She's only trying to clear her head. She feels conflicted about Walter… her eyes light up as she sees him in the water. The water is warm as she wades out. His dark eyes dance upon her face as she gently kisses him. The frantic energy she has been feeling morphs into electricity between them alone in the water. Two become one and all of her tension sublimates in a single moment.
The following morning she sneaks out of the house unnoticed. The hospital is slammed. Clara and Lahela barely exchange two words the entire day. After dinner Lahela slinks off to her room, and locks the door. She sends Walter's calls to voicemail once again as she packs her belongings into boxes. Even her window is closed, and locked. She is tucking her books into a box when knuckles begin rapping against her door. She sighs in frustration, and vacates her seat at her desk. She hesitantly unlocks the door, and sticks her head out.
"Yes?"
Clara furrows her brow, "Why is your door locked?"
"I just didn't want to be disturbed."
"Lahela, we need to talk."
"I have work to do," she counters.
Clara shakes her head, "You have been avoiding me all week. Longer than that, actually. We need to talk."
"Okay," Lahela agrees as she pulls open the door.
Clara stops inside the doorway. She shakes her head, "Why are you packing?"
Lahela closes the door, and proceeds to lower herself to the end of her bed.
"For months I have felt restless. I have been putting off this dreaded conversation for weeks. I don't want to upset anyone, but…" she trails off.
"What is going on with you? You have been so distant since Walter left. Isn't he due back today?"
"He got in last night. Mom this isn't about Walter, it's about me. I feel stifled."
"Lahela," she gently squeezes her hand, "you didn't answer my question. Why are you packing?"
"I'm moving out."
"Moving out? You can't move out. You're seventeen."
"I have a bank account, and I have already signed a lease."
"That can't be legal," Clara argues.
"I have done everything by the book for most of my life. I love you, but I need space to grow. I'm not a kid."
"You're my kid. You can't just move out. You have no idea how to live on your own."
She nods her head, "You're right, I don't. I didn't know how to perform a laparoscopic appendectomy before medical school either, but I learned."
"It takes more than a lease for an apartment to move out."
"I am fully aware. I have already squared away utilities, and all of the things that go along with living on my own."
"How will you get to work? I just… why are you doing this?"
"I have a car."
Clara furrows her brow, "You don't have a car. What are you talking about?"
"I bought a car."
"I… Where is all of this coming from?"
"Please don't make this harder than it has to be. I need to do this for me."
"What will your dad say?"
"I've already talked to him about it. He isn't in agreement, but he understands."
The following day Lahela is headed out the door of her new place when Walter stops her. She furrows her brow.
"What are you doing here?"
"You won't take my calls or answer my texts. I went to your house, and your parents said that you've moved out. Your mom gave me your address. Is there someone else?"
"Walter I spent a lot of time waiting on you to move forward with my life."
"What are you saying?"
"I have needs too. Part of those needs involve knowing that I can take care of myself."
"So are you saying that we're done?"
She shakes her head, "That's not what I'm saying. I just need more time."
"I don't understand. I love you so I will respect your wishes."
