I’m a little sad to leave this place. It’s an open concept. The modern kitchen with cabinets reaches all the way to the nine-foot ceiling, recessed lighting, and crown molding. Dark granite counters gleam, and I can see straight to the living room with all the windows facing the snow-covered mountain peaks in the distance. The fireplace remote sits on the coffee table. I grab it and turn it on, letting the flames flicker in the dark room. Faith would love this house.
There’s a sliding glass wall that leads to the deck, which is off the living room. On the deck in the corner, there is a ten-person hot tub. Why such a huge one?Go big.I laugh at myself because I’ve been the only one to sit in it. Even so, I’ll miss it when evenings roll in and the snow falls. I would soak with the jets on high, beating down on my back muscles, with the feeling of complete tranquility. Yet, I know all of this is replaceable. In the next house, a hot tub will be one of the first things I install. Then I can enjoy it with the love of my life.
As I look around the living room, I can easily imagine Faith curled up on the couch by the fireplace while I hold her close, and we watch a movie together. I see her wrapped in a blanket on the corner chair, sipping tea, gazing at the fire, and reading a book. She entirely consumes my thoughts, and being with her again is all I can think about. I have a few days to make this happen.
Since I’m flying back home, I won’t be taking much with me. I will put the rest into storage until we sell, then I will move everything across the country. I hope to settle into a new place back home with Faith. I’m ready to start my life with her.
The last time Gabe visited, just a few months back, he mentioned that houses in this area were flying off the market in less than a week. I am confident that my house will sell quickly. Because of extensive travel, most rooms are virtually untouched. The bamboo floors gleam with a warm, honeyed glow, and the walls are pristine, without a single scuff or mark to be seen. The new owners will find this home as fresh and inviting as a newly built one.
Thinking back to the conversation with Faith right before she left, I knew if I tried to reason with her, she wouldn’t listen. She was too far down the rabbit hole of worry, but it felt right to validate her feelings. Deep in my soul, I will do whatever it takes to be with her. And moving is the first step closer to making it all happen.
What if this doesn’t work? You’re giving up all of this.
The sliver of doubt that this blows up in my face is strong. At the end of the day, I’ve done everything in my power to show her how much I believe in us and our love. I’m pushing forward as I pack up my clothes and personal items, the things that won’t go to storage. Gabe will be here soon, but I continue to keep the pace.
As I move through the house packing things, I realize that I truly am a nomad. There are only a few personal items except for my clothes, photography equipment, and pictures scattered throughout the living room. This move might be easier than I expected. After packing up my closet, I go to the dressers and nightstands. In my nightstand drawer, I find her promise ring. With a shaky hand, I pick up the box and open it. The silver ring sits in the black velvet, and it evokes memories; my lips tug into a smile, thinking about her. The way she fit into my body, the feeling of the utmost love for her when the bracelet was on her wrist, and the way we could talk about our past and share everything with each other. It’s sending warmth throughout my body.
With a softclick, I close the ring box and, deciding to keep it closed, I gently place it in my camera case’s padded compartment. It’s the safest place for it until I slide it back on her finger. A deep ache in my chest freezes me as I sink onto the edge of the bed, my elbows digging into my thighs.
Interrupting my thoughts, a text from Gabe comes in.
Gabe:
2 this afternoon still work for you?
Jude:
Yes, ready and waiting!
Gabe:
Great, see you then.
I toss my phone to the bed. I’m really doing this. As the memories of our last night together flood my mind, I close my eyes, painting a picture of our future. We build a house on Mirror Lake back home, and I see us getting married on the dock at sunset. She’s wearing an elegant white dress as she walks down the aisle lined with our closest friends who have gathered to witness our love. The dress fits her like a glove, accentuating her every curve as she approaches me. I’m flooded by the joy that she will be mine forever.
Once I snap out of it, I tuck away this vision of our future. There’s a list of tasks I need to get done, so I push forward. I remind myself of my flight to Boston on Tuesday night. The schedule is tight, but regardless, I’ll reach her in just a few days.
My phone rings unexpectedly, startling me. I glance at the screen and see it’s Eve calling. She has an uncanny ability to know when I need to talk to someone.
“Hello”
“Hello to you. What’s the update?”
“I’m back in Colorado packing up what I need and putting the house on the market. I fly home on Tuesday night.”
“I’m so excited about all of this, Jude. You and Faith will figure all this out. Making the commitment and moving is a huge step. I know you love it out there, but the people you love are here. I’m over the moon that Maya will see her uncle more often. It will be good for everyone.”
“It was an easy decision once I spent time with Faith. You know why I was so wishy-washy about coming home. Now, it’s the reason I’m moving. How ironic?” I say with a low chuckle.
“I’ll let you finish packing. Text me when you get to the airport.”
“Absolutely.”
It’s already noon, and Gabe will be here in a couple of hours. Everything should be in order to list the house once he leaves.Gabe said he has a referral for me to move everything that is not needed for staging to the storage unit that I booked this morning; it’s right down the street. It will be convenient when the last move happens. They can take the furniture from the house and then grab the rest from storage. It’s all becoming very real.
Oh, I almost forgot—I need to figure out transport for my car. Gabe introduced me, last year, to a guy he knows that transports cars. I talked with the guy awhile back. It will be easy enough to get that coordinated.
I call Troy, the transport guy, and he tells me he will load it up next week when he is heading back East. Until it arrives, I’ll rent a car. Nothing is keeping me here any longer than I need to be.
