Just a quickie for now, but working on the next part already! Enjoy!!
* * * * CHAPTER THIRTY * * * *
Derek froze in the hallway and his body tensed with a bit of shock at the sight of Dominick’s room. Everything Dominick had originally brought was packed. He sold his bed and other furniture and the room had been cleaned so thoroughly that there wasn’t a single shred of evidence that he had even been there.
The garage door closed loudly, breaking Derek from his trance as Dominick followed up the stairs.
“Well… I guess this is it, then.” Dominick made an odd facial expression like he was trying to smile without being too fake. It didn’t work, obviously.
“Yeah. I guess so.” Derek murmured, “Are you sure you want to do this? Drive alone, I mean?”
“Positive. I’ll stop every few hours and grab a hotel if I get too tired.” Dominick fake-smiled again.
Derek nodded and they stood in silence for a moment. In the past, they would have shared an abnormally long and tight hug before parting ways. Dominick shook his head, realizing how much things had changed. The thought of touching Derek now was awkward.
Dominick turned and walked toward the front door, pausing only to leave his house key on the kitchen counter. Derek watched from the hallway as his outline disappeared from the other side of the frosted glass door. The house was unusually silent now. It wasn’t because Amber and Aunt Cindy were still sleeping, but because there was a new emptiness to their home.
Dominick backed out the driveway and caught a final glimpse of the front of the house. He sighed heavily and started his journey across the country to California. Several people had offered to join him on the trip, but he pictured himself being a hysterical mess the whole trip and didn’t care to have witnesses. He was actually a little surprised that he didn’t shed a tear.
Dominick did as he said, stopping to rest several times along the ride. He was alone in the car, but it was the first time in a long time he didn’t feel lonely. The independence was actually very therapeutic. By the time he arrived in Los Angeles, he felt like an entirely new, refreshed person.
Jennifer was waiting outside her house when Dominick arrived. She looked thrilled to see him, and then panicked when she realized he was driving alone.
“Are you crazy?!” She almost shouted as she approached the driver’s side door.
“Glad to see you, too!” Dominick laughed.
“I can’t believe you made that trip by yourself! That was so dangerous!” She continued half-shouting. She served him a decent slug on the shoulder, followed by a hug. “But I’m glad to see you made it safely!”
Jennifer motioned for him to follow as she entered the home. It was large for a Los Angeles town home. There was a living room with a dining area, spacious kitchen, and three bedrooms. One of the rooms was being used as an office and the adjacent room was furnished with a basic twin bed and dresser.
“This is where you’ll be staying!” Jennifer cheered.
“Wow, thank you!” Dominick smiled, trying not to note the downgrade from his memory foam bed back in Brooklyn.
“Do you need help carrying stuff in? Or I can just leave you to do your thing if you prefer!” Jennifer wasn’t fazed by Dominick’s artificial enthusiasm.
“Oh, there’s not too much actually. I can get it!” Dominick assured as he headed back for the door.
It only took about an hour for Dominick to get settled into his new room.
“You brought your plants with you??” Jennifer laughed.
“Uh… yeah.” Dominick smiled. The déjà vu knocked the wind out of him. It seemed like it was just days ago when Derek had asked the same exact question. This time around, Dominick didn’t feel like explaining himself, though.
“Well that’s cool. I love plants, too. I just can’t seem to keep them alive.” Jennifer explained. “Anyway, you’re probably tired, so I’ll let you get some rest. We’ll start work tomorrow!”
“Sounds good. Thanks again for everything!” Dominick smiled.
He tossed himself back on his bed and stared at the ceiling for a few minutes. The springs from the cheap mattress were jabbing his ribs a little, but fortunately there was a ceiling fan in the room. Dominick could fall asleep on practically anything with a ceiling fan blowing on him.
He was looking forward to putting his mind toward the work that Jennifer had mentioned. But his first priority was resting. He closed his eyes and finally drifted to sleep for the first time in his new home.
To be continued...
take all the time u need i know your busy. Can't wait for more.
x Great story!
