Page 4 of Burden to Bear

“Neither. Thanks for offering to help, though. I got the big stuff where it needs to be for now, so it’s really just a matter of unpacking boxes of everything else at this point. I’m actually going to just get some dinner and call it an early night tonight, though,” she explained.

With a nod of understanding, I offered, “Well, if anything comes up or you need a hand with something, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m usually always around.”

Mia smiled brightly at me. “That’s very kind of you to offer. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Following a beat of silence, she pointed toward her house and said, “I better go. It was nice to meet you, Brock.”

I had to take a second before I responded, because I liked the sound of my name coming past her lips a little too much. When I believed I had myself under control, I replied, “Likewise, Mia. Welcome to the neighborhood.”

How it was possible for her face to light up more than it already had, I didn’t know. But there was no question she’d had a positive reaction to what I’d just said. While she was likely just happy about living in a neighborhood with friendly people, I could admit I wished it was her hearing the way I said her name that put that look on her face.

“It hasn’t even been a full day, and I love it here already,” she declared.

The woman made it impossible not to feel happy. Was she always this sweet and bubbly?

A small laugh escaped before I could stop it. “That’s good news. Here’s hoping it only gets better from this point forward.”

A look of appreciation washed over her expression. And a moment later, she said, “Have a lovely evening, Brock.”

How could I not after having these few minutes with her? “You, too, Mia.”

After sending one last gorgeous grin my way, Mia turned and walked back home. I watched her as she went, keeping my eyes on her until she made it safely to her front door. We lived in a safe neighborhood, where everyone tended to look out for one another, so I didn’t have any real concerns about her safety, but I had to use that as my excuse as to why I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her.

Otherwise, I’d have to admit to myself that I was convinced I’d just met the woman of my dreams.

TWO

Mia

“Are you okay?”

My shoulders slumped as I dropped my head back and let out a sigh. Following a beat of tense silence, I righted myself, turned around, and sent a look of defeat in my coworker’s direction. “Is it that noticeable?”

Concern littered Jamie’s features. “What’s going on? I thought you were going to come in here bouncing off the walls with excitement like you were on Friday when you left.”

Nodding as I walked over and sat down at the table in the room, I said, “I know. Me, too.”

Jamie sat down across from me. “Is something wrong with the house? Don’t tell me you moved in and found something awful that needs to be repaired already. You had an inspection done, didn’t you?”

“I did. And there’s nothing wrong with the house. Honestly, I think it’s horrible that you can see how awful I’m doing right now, because there’s technically nothing wrong.”

Confusion washed over her expression. “I don’t understand.”

That made two of us.

It was Monday morning, my first day back at work since moving into my new house over the weekend, and it was not all I had expected it to be.

Normally, I came into work every day feeling like I was on top of the world, excited about what was ahead, and ready to do my job. I never dreaded Mondays, and I thoroughly enjoyed the work I did every day.

I worked as a speech and language pathologist at a pediatric therapy center in Charter Oak called Backyard Treehouse. Backyard Treehouse offered services to children struggling with a wide variety of issues. I was one of the two people who provided speech therapy to the kids, but we also had occupational and food therapy services available as well.

I felt tremendously rewarded by the work that I did, especially whenever a kid had a breakthrough in therapy. Jamie could easily understand that part of it for me, because she was one of the occupational therapists, and she experienced those same milestones on a regular basis with the kids she helped, too. We didn’t choose to get into this line of work for nothing—it was such a fulfilling career.

Not only did I love the work that I did each day, but I adored my coworkers, too. We’d all become great friends over the past couple of years, so mixing the work I did with the people surrounding me made Backyard Treehouse a place I loved being.

That’s why it made no sense that I woke up wishing I hadn’t needed to come into work today.

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