14 Blood, Shelter, And Silence Pt.2 (1/2)

Friday, March 27, 2015

7:30 p.m.

The movie ended a few hours ago, but I still have it on my mind.

”She loved the man but still chose her responsibilities over him? They pretended not to know each other in the end and they both left each other behind.”

My mind tried to compare her life to mine.

What are my responsibilities?

What are the things I love?

Would I leave them behind for the sake of others?

I stopped walking and noticed that I stood in front of a florist shop. For some reason it drew me in. The lights inside emitted a warm glow, beckoning me to come inside. I haven't seen this shop while I was doing my 'tour' this morning, ”maybe I should take a look.”

The heat of the room surprised me as I opened the door to the florist. The little bell jingled, making my presence known.

I look around.

For some reason, this place looked familiar.

The room was filled with many flowers that didn't grow this time of year, they must've been imported from somewhere else.

”Aiya! how long have you been sitting out in the rain? You're all soaked!

An elderly woman spoke from the door of the opposite room as she entered.

She looked about sixty. She was about 5'4, her hair was black and cut short, and she wore a Cream colored turtle-neck which complimented the off white walls of her shop.

She grabbed me by the hand and took me to the room she was just in.

”Your hands are so cold! Here sit in front of the stove, I'll get you some towels.”

”Yes ma'am, th” The woman rushed out of the room before I could even thank her.

Instead, I look around from my seat on a red-velvet arm chair in front of a wood burning stove.

There were photos hanging from every wall. Some look recent. While others looked like they've been taken in the fifties. Ivy stretched on the borders of the walls and a table stood in front of the only window, a sewing machine on top, with some work resting on its ba.s.s.

The elderly woman comes back with towels and a cup of cocoa. She hands the towels to me.

”Thank you.”

She smiles.

***

10:00 p.m.

Mom: Where are you? Why didn't you answer any of our calls? Don't you know how worried we were about you!?”

I wince as my mother screams at me through the phone not even two seconds after I dialed her number.

The lady, who's name is Kim. Looks at me through her gla.s.ses from her sewing machine.

I swallow down the urge to end the call and hide out for a few more days, I won't though.

”I'm sorry for making you worry. That wasn't my intention. I just...I'm stupid.”

I gaze down at my hands in shame.

”You wouldn't even answer your Aunt's calls. I though you were-”

A sob comes in through the receiver and I recognize it as my mother's.

”I'm fine. I told you, please don't worry anymore.”

I try to console my mother, but it's so awkward trying to do that over the phone.

”I'm coming home... I want to talk with you... all of you.”

The sound of sobs seemed to stop and for the first time in this phone call it was completely quiet.