Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
I slide out of bed, relishing the fact that it’s the weekend, my two-week notice is officially submitted to my current employer, and I’ll be working at the shop alongside my brother. Well, in the office. I refuse to work with grease and men who burp and fart like it’s their life mission, all while listening to them complain about life in general. The exception of the last part is my brother: he listens to me bitch, so it’s only fair I listen to him doing the same.
The top half of my leg aches into my knee, probably from using the stairs more than I usually would in my everyday life, but it’s part of creating a home of my own. It’s well worth it to be able to have a place I can put my stamp on, come and go as I please, and make my way out into the world. You would think I’m freshly eighteen years old, just starting out, but getting into a terrible accident and needing your family to depend on comes with a price. My independence was that cost. In a span of a few weeks, I was forced into a complete and total one-eighty in how I lived. My parents and brother somehow managed to pack up my then apartment and help me file for short-term disability, all while my brother had to run back and forth to the hospital, if he even left, to take care of both Nellie and me.
That saying, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. It couldn’t be more suited for me as a reminder and is something I say anytime I have an ache or pain. I also did something for myself a few months ago: I made a tattoo appointment and had it placed in an area you can only see when I’m naked or if I wear a two-piece bathing suit, something I don’t do when I’m around my family, specifically Nellie. On my lower hip, wrapped delicately from the front to the back, is a quote in dark scroll, feminine and dainty, that says: Nevertheless, she persevered.
I massage the area, and the throbbing settles down instantly, and since my new apartment building has a pool, I think I’ll head there on my day off.
At first, I’d contemplated packing a bag, stopping at Colt’s, snagging Nellie, and heading to my parents’ place. They have a pool, free food, and a bed to nap in should I feel so inclined. Then I thought better of it. The whole point of having my own apartment is to have my independence. Besides that, I ate dinner with everyone last night, on a Friday night, nonetheless.
Colt, his woman, Sable, and Nellie were in attendance. My brother and I talked about my pending job at the shop. How he’s more than ready, and the other person he had working there was happy to hand over the reins and said there was no bad blood. Sable and Nellie were going to work on painting Nellie’s bedroom, which put the kibosh on doing anything with my niece, which worked out for the better, especially with my leg and knee giving me issues.
I grab my oversized shirt, slip it over my head, and stand up from the bed. When I put weight on both feet, there’s no wobbling or creaking. We’re off to a good start.
That’s when I hear it. The television is on in the apartment next door. It’s lower than normal and not at all as loud as it has been. I move through my apartment to take care of the bathroom situation, bypassing looking at the mirror because the back of my head after not brushing my hair last night is not my business. I flush the toilet, wash my hands, brush my teeth, and walk back into my bedroom.
After a quick change of clothes, slipping into my bikini, grabbing my pool bag I keep at the ready, sliding my feet into a pair of flip flops, and tying a wrap around my waist, I’m ready to head out. There was once a time when I’d try to hide the scarring on my upper thigh down to my mid-calf in different sections. But there’s no denying the slight limp, so why try to hide my battle wounds?
I don’t plan on being at the pool very long, so I’ll forgo food or caffeine of any variety. The sooner I stretch out the sore muscles, the better I’ll feel, and then I can truly start my day. I walk through my apartment, loving the easy feel and cozy vibe of the place with its rich textures, contrasting colors, and the subtle jewel tones that bounce off the walls when the sun hits them the right way. A soft smile plays at my lips as I take the keys out of the iridescent carnival glass I picked up at an antique store. The steep price put a dent in my bank account, but it was well worth it.