Not Scared Anymore

Chapter 11 - Stephanie

Stephanie's first week at her new job was an absolute whirlwind. Deciding it was best not to move out the night before her first day, she had stayed in the apartment. Mark was going to be busy at work until he went back to Vancouver, so he made himself scarce and slept at the office a few times, coming home only when he knew she would be at work. When he was home for the night, he slept on the couch.

Stephanie was starting the apartment hunt on her own. Mark offered her the condo since it would be so convenient for work, but Stephanie wanted something more affordable on her own. Plus, it was mostly his style, not hers. She needed a fresh start.

On Friday, she packed a bag and moved in with Denise for the weekend. Mark was taking the weekend off, and he would be home most of the time. Stephanie recalled Mark's exact words the night before were, "I need to decompress, because this has been awful on me too, you know. I just need to be somewhere that isn't my office" and she elected to give him the place to himself for three nights. She couldn't bear a whole weekend with their mutual sadness and hurt pulling between them like a stretched elastic band, ready to snap and and bring tears to their eyes with its sting. 

Stephanie and Denise were going apartment hunting. They saw three duds, and one with promise. It was the second floor of a duplex, looking out on a nice park, had a walk-in closet, a big washroom, a kitchen with an island and new appliances, a small office, and in-suite laundry. Unfortunately, it also had horribly painted walls with hundreds of nail holes no one had even attempted to fill properly. 

The agent representing the owner, however, could not answer any of their questions, so it wasn't an overly successful viewing in the end. They set up a second showing for Sunday afternoon, and provided the agent a list of questions they would need answered at that time.

Back at Denise's, it was pasta and movie night, and only chick flicks were in the line up. As they said eight years previous when the tradition started, 'the cheesier the better, just like the pasta!'

They were both asleep on the couch before the first movie ended.

*

They woke up early and decided to go for a run to the park and back. It was about five kilometers round trip, and they rewarded themselves with a brunch date. Unlike her runs with Mark where they would go to a juice bar while still sweaty, this was followed by a proper shower, and then waffles drowning in whipped cream and strawberry sauce. It was heaven.

In the evening, a small group of friends joined them for board game night. Occasionally, such nights would get very rowdy, but it took on a bit of a subdued tone once the ordeal with Mark was brought up. Everyone was very supportive. The group had only met him once when he came to pick Stephanie up from a game night, back when they had first moved in together. On the ride home that night, he had quietly asked Stephanie not to host game nights at their place. Hopes were high that Stephanie might find a place suitable for hosting in the future.

When the party folded at midnight, everyone was feeling sleepy, and Stephanie was feeling pretty good. She had actually won three of the games they played, and didn't feel guilty about eating any of the junk food Denise provided. She changed back into her comfy sweats as soon as everyone left, pulled out her phone and opened her email as she flopped on the couch.

One email in particular caught her eye, from one of Mark's best friends. He had always treated her coolly, kept his distance, and didn't make any effort to chat with her except to be condescending. She had always gotten the impression that he disliked her, so she steeled herself for what it might say, expecting the worst.

Stephanie,

So sorry to hear about you and Mark. The news shocked me to my core. I couldn't believe when Mark told me he was going to Vancouver without you. How are you coping?