Just Me (You & Me 1)

“SO, YOU’VE NEVER EVEN tried Joan’s Diner?” Talia asked Katherine, as she packed away the last of the day’s baked goods. The owner had established a relationship with a nearby women’s shelter, and every evening A Slice of Sicily donated any unsold products.

“No, I literally just moved, Talia. I haven’t even unpacked,” Katherine fought her smile, amused by Talia’s confusion.

For the past ten minutes, she had been trying to explain that she didn’t know anything about the hot places in the neighborhood. Talia explained that she was born and raised just a few blocks from the bakery, so she could introduce her to everything there was to know about San Francisco.

“Here you are, Ian. Thanks for stopping by,” Talia announced, handing a pink paper box to the man waiting from the shelter. He smiled, bidding both women a good evening before leaving the bakery.

Katherine was finishing up with cleaning the espresso machine when Talia startled her, turning to face her as the unruly strands of red hair fell over her left eye.

“So, you need to unpack.” Talia announced, as if she were concocting a plan.

“Yeah, but I don’t have much,” Katherine quickly explained, not wanting her new friend to feel sorry for her.

“Oh cool. So, we can probably get through it in a night,” she responded, again speaking more to herself.

“Yeah, but you don’t have to worry about it,” Katherine felt the worry creeping in her belly.

“Of course, I do! You can’t move into the neighborhood until you’re all settled in. We can unpack everything together. I love unpacking,” Talia reasoned, pleading with her eyes.

It was obvious that she wanted to help, but Katherine still felt uneasy about inviting someone into her home. Years of running from an abusive husband had taught her to keep her cards close to her chest, never giving too much information to anyone. But a life of secrets was draining and she was exhausted from the effort it took to avoid getting close to anyone.

Katherine knew that although Talia was asking to help her unpack, what she was really saying was that she wanted to be her friend. It was too kind and endearing to reject, and before she knew it, she was learning how to lock up the bakery before setting off for a night with a new friend.

Together, the two women walked down the steep street lined with colorful row houses. The sight was still so new and refreshing for Katherine, and she found herself short of breath each and every time she walked her new neighborhood.

“So, where did you live before this?” Talia asked.

Katherine instantly felt the panic begin to bubble in her stomach. It was a truth she had buried so deeply, the words had never fallen from her lips. Not once had she ever told anyone about the hellish life that used to be her reality. While Talia was the closest thing she had to a friend, she knew it was too much to put on her co-worker, and honestly doubted she possessed the courage that divulging the truth would require.

“I’m from Los Angeles.”

It was short and sweet, and most of all, it was true. Katherine was born and raised in the city of angels, growing up with dreams of being a star in Hollywood. She loved the glitz and glamor of the city, but when it came down to saving herself, she had left without so much as a goodbye.

“I love LA!” Talia exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

“There’s nothing like it,” Katherine smiled, it was a painful memory, thinking back to all the friends and happiness she used to enjoy in the city.

“We should drive down some time. You can show me all the hotspots in your old stomping grounds,” Talia smiled.

Katherine nodded, though she knew it would never happen. There was nothing or no one that could ever lure her back to the city Tim lived in. Most couples split their belongings after a breakup, but with Katherine and Tim, they needed to split the globe.

As far as Katherine was concerned, there were places each of them could live, but there was no way they could both reside in the same city. If Tim wanted to continue his thriving law practice in Los Angeles, Katherine was happy to concede the city she loved in order to keep the peace.

Only, that wasn’t acceptable to Tim. He had made it very clear to Katherine that he was never going to let her walk out of his life, or respect any boundaries or expectations she set. Listening was never his forte, so Katherine doubted he’d even heard her explanation when she explained why she was standing in the middle of their grand foyer, two suitcases at her feet.

Things had gotten really bad in the last year of their relationship, when Tim had begun to get physical in his abuse. A police escort was the only reason Katherine had gotten away. Unwilling to fight him in court, Katherine decided against pressing charges. All she asked for was her freedom, and even that was too much for Tim to give.

All the police had given her was a head start, asking Tim questions to ensure she left the home safely. And ever since then, she had been trying to evade him every step of the way. Maybe it was the hills of San Francisco, or the way the sunset fell over them. Whatever it was, the new city left Katherine feeling a level of comfort she hadn’t felt in a long time.

“You’ve been to Hendrick’s, right?” Talia asked, pausing at a corner as she pointed towards a red and yellow sign.

Squinting to make out the letters, Katherine shook her head slowly, unsure of what the Hendrick’s even was. Whenever she was with Talia, she felt as if everything was an adventure. Around every corner was a new restaurant or chic boutique she needed to see.

“You’ve got to be kidding me! Where have you been getting groceries?” Talia yelled so loudly Katherine’s hands shot to her mouth, a rush of embarrassment racing through her. It had been a long time since she was out with a girlfriend enjoying herself. Her life on the run often left her feeling older than her years, but with Talia, Katherine felt young again.

“I haven’t gotten any,” Katherine admitted, her cheeks blushing red. With all of her things still in boxes, she couldn’t cook, so she had eaten fast food and pizza since she moved in.

“Oh no! That’s what we’re doing,” Talia started, wrapping her arm around Katherine’s as she looked down the street for incoming traffic. Satisfied with her chances, she stepped into the street, dragging Katherine along as she giggled loudly.