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Jenna: I completely understand, and you have my unconditional support. Just say the word, and I’ll have Cameron send the jet, no questions asked.
Me: Thank you. How are things on your end? How are Joselyn & Cameron? How is Tenley feeling? Not much longer now! You must be crazy excited!
Jenna: Cameron’s upped his hours at work a little in preparation for the vacation time he plans to take when she’s born. (He did the same when Joselyn first came to live with us.) As for little Miss J, she’s so over the moon, bouncing off the walls excited, she doesn’t talk about anything else. Honestly, my heart is so full, Lakelyn. I count my blessings daily.
Me: As you should.
Jenna: I also believe you are where you are meant to be. I can’t explain it, but speaking from experience, this move is the first step in healing. Whether we like it or not or even understand why our life splinters off course so cruelly, just remember there’s a greater purpose behind its reasoning. Trust the journey you’re on, put your faith in following your gut instincts, and open your heart, because, in the end, all that matters is your happiness.
Me: Doing my best, Jenna.
Jenna: Plans for the night?
Me: Oh, BIG plans, LOL! I started a puzzle earlier, but my mood isn’t aligned with said plan. So I’m following the instincts you reminded me of, and I’m going to take my glass of wine and eReader and take a bath instead.
Jenna: Sounds like heaven to me.
Me: Agreed. I’ll send you a photo of the bathroom. It’s so clean and modern. You’d love it.
Jenna: Oh yes, please! You know I get giddy with excitement over renovations! I still can’t believe the timing. You lucked out being the first renter ;)
Me: Yes, it’s perfect. In a roundabout way, it feels like a clean slate.
At least, that was the spin I was putting on things.
Jenna: Love it! Mindset is everything.
Me: And a reminder that has become my mantra.
Jenna: Life ebbs and flows. Treat yourself with kindness when your inner light dims, and give yourself the grace you need to feel those lows because they won’t last forever. Embrace the feelings, process them, say them out loud, be sad, and be mad, but don’t give them the power to extinguish your inner fire, because when your light shines bright, there’s no stopping what you’ll achieve.
Me: *Sobbing emoji*
Jenna: I’ve got you. You’re never alone. I’m a call, text, or visit away.
Me: Thank you, Jenna, truly. You are incredible, and I’m so fortunate to have you on my side.
Jenna: No place I’d rather be! Now go relax and enjoy your bath. We’ll chat soon. Hugs ??
Me: Hugs ??
* * *
Slipping into the tub until my shoulders were under the scalding hot water should have been relaxing. The clean slate I mentioned to Jenna was weighted, threatening to crack under the pressure if I were honest with myself.
The disparaging comments circulating the past few months had taken a toll. I was at my wit’s end, emotionally depleted to the core, but the realization that hurt the most was that I was utterly alone other than Jenna. My parents had wanted nothing to do with me since my sister died. I was sold out and hung out to dry by those I’d once considered friends, all for a paycheck and social media clout, and as Jenna reminded me, I needed a hot minute to feel those emotions and time to process and heal.
Between the wine and the room’s humidity, my overactive mind settled, and the voices faded, leaving me sated and ready for bed. After wrapping myself in a towel, I leaned over the tub that had nearly finished draining and turned the faucet back on to help rinse away the bubble bath residue, except when I went to turn it off, I heard a snapping noise. The next thing I knew, the handle was in my hand, and scorching hot water shot like a rocket out of the exposed pipe and splashed me square in the face.
I jumped backward in surprise as a scream ripped through me in shock. The klutz in me then managed to drop the handle on my foot. I winced in pain for a heartbeat before frantically trying to re-direct the water into the tub, using my hands as a shield. But it was a feeble attempt because the water was boiling against my unprotected palms.
With no other resource within reach, I stripped myself free from the towel and attempted to use it as a buffer. However, before I could get my bearings, the hair-raising sound of wood splintering startled me from behind as the locked bathroom door kicked forcefully open.
The next thing I knew, a dark shadow caught my peripherals a split second before they lunged toward me, sending me into full-blown panic mode.
Chapter4
Boden
