Beauty in the Ashes

“Really?” He asked. “My dad always thought it was stupid. He thought I should do something more manly.”

I laughed at that. “I think owning your own business is a big responsibility. Besides, what’s so wrong with doing what you love?”

“What about you?” He questioned. “Surely you have bigger dreams than working at Griffin’s?”

I swallowed thickly. “I have a business degree, but I honestly have no idea what I want to do. I know at my age I should have it figured out, but I don’t.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” he took another bite of food.

Frowning, I asked, “How bad is it? Now that I know you went to culinary school I’m never cooking ever again.”

He laughed at that—the kind of laugh that shakes your whole body. “It’s delicious.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Glad to hear that.”

“Are you sure you don’t want some?” He stretched his legs out, crossing them at the ankle.

“I’m sure. I ate…” I blushed and stopped myself.

“You ate?” He prompted.

“Well, I kind of ate half of the pizza. I was really hungry.” I fiddled with the remote in my hand, wishing I hadn’t turned the TV off.

He chuckled. “Why are you embarrassed about that?”

“I’m not,” I said vehemently.

He said no more as he finished his dinner.

I went to grab the empty bowl from him so I could clean it, but he refused to relinquish it. Instead, he stood and trekked over to the sink.

I yawned, suddenly feeling absolutely exhausted. I gathered my pajamas and changed in the bathroom.

I grabbed my cellphone off the coffee table and saw I had a text from Kyle with the address. I smiled. I was scared to send the letter, but I knew I needed to.

Once the dishes were clean Memphis settled on the couch. He grabbed the blanket and draped it over his body. “Night, Sutton.”

“Goodnight,” I whispered, laying my head on the pillow and letting my eyes drift closed.

???

Caelan

It turns out Saturday and Sunday were legit free days. The door to my room was left unlocked and we were all encouraged to explore the facility, get to know one another, and utilize the outdoor area. I noticed a lot of people chose to go outside. It had snowed the night before and I wasn’t sure I wanted to brave the frigid temperatures. I understood why most were doing it though. We were cooped up in our small rooms all week and it was nice to inhale the fresh air.

“Aren’t you coming?” One of the women from group therapy asked as she headed towards the door.

“Uh…”

“Come on,” she begged, “it may be cold but at least it’s not, well,” she looked around, “here.”

After a moment of hesitation, I agreed.

I grabbed my sweatshirt from my room and shrugged it on. The woman had waited for me. I didn’t even remember her name.

Outside the dusting of snow on the ground crunched beneath my feet. I sat down at one of the picnic tables where several people I recognized sat. I hadn’t really bothered to get to know any of them. I hadn’t cared. Looking at them now, I realized that was a mistake. Essentially, we were all in this together. We’d all been through similar things. If I couldn’t talk to these people, then who could I? I’d been able to tell Sutton everything and yet I had trouble opening up to these people. Even now, I didn’t open my mouth to speak to them. I sat there, a silent observer to their conversations.

I rubbed my hands together, trying to generate some heat.