Epilogue

The last thing Laura had to do, was to put the adorable little kangaroo on her new table. With that, she was finally done with unpacking.
As she stepped back, she also caught a glimpse of the elephant in the room. Sitting on her bookshelf. The one her former friends gave her on her last birthday. Apparently Claire had insisted on it. Saying “The things we like, but wouldn’t buy for ourselves because we think are impractical, usually make great birthday gifts.” She was right. Laura was overjoyed after seeing the ceramic elephant.
Thinking of Claire, made Laura go back to last week. Pacing back and forth in the hallway, trying to decide whether she should say a word before leaving. She looked down to her nails painted in, you guessed it, orange. She had found new comfort in adopting the color into her life. For a moment, Laura considered saying goodbye, but then she knew. This new orange feeling in her life, was still fragile. One side eye from Claire may have sent her back down the road she’d tried so hard to climb up. Maybe even shaken her will to finally pursue her dream job.

So she left. The only person there she said goodbye to, was Merrick. Laura shook his hand firmly. Thanked him for always being considerate. Specially during that month she had to take care of her mother after she got hit by a car. It wasn’t easy.

Laura didn’t know what others may think of her leaving. Knowing Claire and Melanie, they would probably make far-fetched scenarios to convince anyone they could, that what Laura was doing was wrong. Irene wouldn’t care. And McKenzie, being the kindest of the bunch, would come up with reasons to justify everything. Even tough Kenzie obviously went ahead with what Claire planned, Laura believed that’s not what Kenzie actually wanted. Sometimes she could see the discomfort in her face. Maybe one day, when she’s finished settling at her new place, Laura will give her a call.

She didn’t move the first time the bell rang. Not being used to the new sound, it took her a good 20 seconds before realizing there was someone waiting at the door.
When she finally opened, she saw a man possibly in his sixties holding a paint roller and a bucket.
“Good morning Ma’am. I’m Blake Graham. The landlord called me in, saying one of the walls in your bedroom needs painting.”
“Oh, right! He told me I should expect you.” Laura exclaimed,
“Of course me being me, I totally forgot and put up everything in the room. I’d have to take them out again”
“No worries.” The elder man replied, “The apartment upstairs also needs maintenance. I’ll go there and get back to you in an hour.”
“Perfect.” Laura said with a thumbs up.
Before going upstairs, Blake added, “I have to say though… Whenever you decide to leave this house, you can always repaint it to the dull gray it is now. I say choose something different. I know Brad. He wouldn’t mind. I, for one, am tired of painting in beige and gray and white”
“Is that so? Then let’s try something new.”

An hour later when Blake came back asking,
“So you have any specific color in mind?”
Laura answered beaming with a smile,
“I think so.Yes.”