"Cassi? Are you here?" I heard, and looked around. The time had flown and the voice took me by surprise. I knew I had locked the door, which made me wonder if Brad had given Tabbi the spare key from under the fake rock.
"In here." I called back, shifting on my knees. They hurt from the prolonged contact with the tiled floor, but I didn't mind. The pain reminded me I was still human. Well, mostly. I was surrounded by makeup palettes, creams, aftershaves, and other items. Tabbi appeared at the bathroom door and leaned against the frame. I looked up at her.
"I have to keep busy." I said. She moved over to me and reached down to help me to my feet, which I needed, wobbling on weak legs. She then hugged me and I hugged back, body shaking from renewed sobs. She held me a few moments, then pulled back.
"Have you eaten?" She asked. I shook my head and looked around the bathroom.
"I'm not hungry." I said.
"I'm guessing the last thing you ate was breakfast at my house, right? Well you need to eat, or you will never get well." She said. I looked down, knowing she was right. I was still almost a stick figure, and I was glad I wasn't returning to school looking the way I did. I doubt I could stand the looks. Tabbi headed out of the bathroom and along the hall to the kitchen, but I didn't follow her. I knew what she'd find and, sure enough, there was a loud disgusted sound from the kitchen.
"Ugh, this food is rancid!" I heard, and smiled to myself. I didn't expect her to come back though, but moments later her head peered around the door frame.
"Do you want me to tackle the kitchen, then order us something? You need to eat now before we go much further. Even Cook's cooking won't be able to help soon." She said. I looked at her.
"Food sounds good, but you don't have to touch the kitchen, I know how yuck it is in there. I appreciate the gesture." I replied. Tabbi shook her head.
"I'll order us something, no fish, then get cleaning." She said, but before she could move her phone started ringing. She looked at the display, and rolled her eyes.
"It's Dad." She said, then answered the phone.
"Hello Dad...yes, I'm at her house...no, not too good. Can she come back and stay with us for a while? Okay...yes I'll help her...see you soon. Oh okay...let me ask." Tabbi looked at me.
"You can have dinner with us instead, if you like. No fish." Tabbi said. I paused, then sighed.
"I don't know. I don't want to be a burden, but I don't mind." I replied.
"Oh shush, you're no burden." She said, then turned her attention to her phone.
"Yeah we'll be home for dinner. 6:30? Sure we'll be there. I'll bring her with me. Okay bye. Bye" She hung up, and looked at me. I nodded, slightly. I'd heard her side of the conversation. We headed back into the kitchen, and I caught a whiff of the smells from the fridge. Tabbi had been right, it was rancid.
"I should probably hire a skip. Not a huge one, just a fair one for the kitchen, bathrooms, and stuff." I said. Tabbi nodded.
"Good idea. But do it tomorrow." Tabbi said, and moved to the dishwasher, checking to see if it had dishes in it. She saw it had, so started it up. I stood there watching her, feeling lost. Once Tabbi had turned on the dishwasher she looked around at me, saw the look on my face,and came over to me, taking my hands.
"Come and sit down. You look like you're about to fall over." She said, and I followed her into the living room, sitting down on the couch.
"I don't know what to do with myself. I've never been so alone." I said softly.
"Well you're coming to stay with us for as long as you like, you're like family." She said. I looked down at my knees, hidden by my simple trousers.
"Thank you." I said. She stood up.
"What needs to be done?" Tabbi asked. I looked at her.
"Maybe we could go now and take the clothes bags to the charity shops before they close, then head back to your place." I said. Tabbi nodded.
"Sounds good. Get everything you need, and we'll get going." She said. I put my laptop into its cover, picked up all the cards and put them into a side pocket of the laptop bag, then touched the urns. I couldn't take them along with me, but I didn't want to leave them behind either. Tabbi watched me.
"Isthat them?" She asked. I flinched at the question but nodded.
"Yes. They were cremated." I replied. I picked up my laptop bag, then headed out of the house and went down to my flat. Tabbi followed me,and her eyes widened.
"Cool place." She said. I nodded, and went into my bedroom, getting things I needed, putting the other bags on my bed. I packed clean clothes, and frowned. None of it would fit. Tabbi saw my hesitation.
"Why don't you go shopping tomorrow? Get yourself some clothes." She said. I nodded. It was a good idea. Tabbi looked around the room as I got things together, and she looked at the medals and trophies on the wall. She then picked up a small frame of the two of us, smiling after a meet. I sighed as I looked at the picture, wishing I could go back to that day. I finished getting things together, then headed out, Tabbi following. I locked my door, then went back to the main house, double checking all was secure. We went out to the car,carrying the large garbage bags, then I locked the house. I turned to look at Tabbi.
"How did you get in? I am sure I locked the door after your dad dropped me off." I said. She nodded.
"He gave me the spare key. I knocked first, but you didn't answer, so let myself in." She said. I nodded absently and got in the car, my wallet in one hand, my laptop bag strap in the other. As Tabbi started the car and reversed out of the drive, I watched the house. It was just a house now, it was no longer a home. The people that had made it home for me would never return to it. I felt tears swim to my eyes, and blinked, the tears falling down my face silently. I brushed them away as we arrived at the local Salvos, and took the bags of clothes in. I explained that my parents had died, and that I was donating all their clothes. The manager of the store was there, so I asked if they sold furniture too. They did, so I said if they wanted my furniture they could have it, provided they collected it. It was relatively new, but wouldn't be available until after the house was sold. He said that was fine, and gave me his details. We then headed back to Tabbi's house. I was silent on the way, though she put on music we both loved, I just couldn't enjoy the bright songs.
We arrived at her house, and I slowly followed Tabbi into the house, my laptop bag slung over my shoulder, my backpack in my hand. Both Brad and Jenny met us in the entrance hall, and I could see Jenny wanted to hug me, but I held back.
"Thank you again for extending your hospitality to me yet again." I said softly, politely. Jenny stepped forward, seeing my pale blotchy face.
"You are welcome here for as long as you need." She said. I had moved back just slightly, then looked at Brad, who hadn't said anything yet.
"Thank you, Mrs. Thompson." I replied in a quiet voice.
"Please call me Jenny. Do you need help getting upstairs?" She asked. I opened my mouth, but Brad suddenly spoke.
"I'll help her. You two make sure Cook has something nutritional for her for dinner." He said. I didn't say anything, and Jenny nodded. I moved silently over to Brad who gently took my upper arm to guide me upstairs. Tabbi watched us, then headed towards the kitchen where her mother and Cook were conversing.
