Chapter 1 Moving Day - Carmen

"Ouch!", ugh, how annoying. Carmen was struggling with her duffle bag up the stairs when she slipped and almost twisted her ankle. With a frustrated sigh she decided to inspect it more closely after the evil duffle that just tried to kill her was safely inside. She gladly threw it into the living room where she set up her air mattress and night stands. The movers with the rest of her furniture won't be there until tomorrow afternoon. For now she'd unpack just for the night and get a much needed shower.

Turning on the water, it warmed up quickly, She quickly grabbed her clothes and hurried to jump in. She didn't notice she was limping slightly until she once again tripped over her duffle bag on the way back to the bathroom. This time her clothes flew from her hands and she fell flat on her bottom. "I'm sure I haven't offended this bag, what is the problem today? Am I drunk?" Shaking her head she slowly got to her feet and limped to take her shower.

Once done, it was time to play with the new kitchen. She was grinning with excitement until she remembered she didn't get groceries. Plus she had recently acquired a limp so exploring the neighborhood was out. "Take out it is. Let's see what's in the area", she looked through DoorDash and Postmates. After reading reviews on a Chinese restaurant, she decided to order. While waiting, she went to look out the living room window to check out the neighborhood. All the houses were similar but different colors and window shapes. It was adorable. She was about to go sit on the mattress when she saw a slender built man jogging upstairs with his dog.

He lived across from her. A golden retriever panting at his side. They both rushed inside and closed the door. Humph, he probably has two kids and a loving wife with dinner waiting; she thought bitterly. That made her eyes become misty and she shook her head. Her relationship with Milo ended suddenly and after 10 years together. She had thought they'd be together always, instead, he didn't care she chose to move away and said she's a distraction. She also had confronted him about the many other women he was pursuing. He was texting them on his phone, sending messages on social media, and even on dating apps pursuing women.

He didn't account for his actions but rather blamed her for his behavior. Then two weeks later he said he needed a break. She knew this was the end. She had just started looking for other places to live when her phone rang, "Hello, my name is Lisa, am I speaking with Carmen?" , she nodded then remembered the person couldn't see her and replied, "Yes, speaking." Lisa was calling to schedule an interview at a company located 3 hours away from her current home. She'd applied a year ago for Senior Assistant and forgot about it. Lisa asked her what will be the best times to have her set up the interview and while finishing up the call, she heard Milo's car start and pull away. Good riddance jerk! Now she had time to pack and search for a place in person. Her interview was the next day at 8:30 am sharp.

She had only packed a small bag so Milo wouldn't notice. He didn't come back that night, nor the next night. He stayed gone for two weeks. By the time he came back, she was all packed and had put a down payment on a house close to her new job. She had gotten word the same day after doing the interview. Milo looked around the space, "Are you going somewhere?" She sighed and said, "Of course genius, surprised you noticed. I'll be gone within the week. You may continue doing whatever you have been doing."

Milo ran his hand through his hair. "Look babe, I didn't do anything with those chicks. I promise. You're the only woman I need in my life". She smiled, a very forced one, what a load of bull. If she mattered so stinking much to him then he wouldn't be pursuing other women and staying out for two weeks with no communication. She laughed then, hard, teary, and bent over. She ended it with a knee slap and wiped her eyes. "Oh I know babe. I'm going to be back in a month for the rest of my things okay?" Milo frowned and stepped closer to her, " I will burn all of your shit." She laughed again and shook her head. "Please go ahead. I need a new wardrobe anyway." With that he was storming out the door again. She was laughing and waving, "Bye now! See you never!" Two days later she got a text from Milo, "We need a break, you're a distraction. I need time to think." She chuckled, and deleted the message. Within the week she was packed and driving to her new life.

She cried a few times on the way, not that she missed Milo, but because she had wasted 10 years of her life being with him. It was gut wrenching to think about. She won't get that time back and she wished she'd known what a piece of trash he was from the beginning. Now, sitting there waiting on her food delivery, she let a few more tears fall. It's okay to grieve what time I lost, I will rebuild.