Page 27 of Five Years
Nasty
Destroying my life (interesting)
The latter wasn’t Leah, but she could understand it. Dramatic, but relatable.
“Stop trying to change the subject,” Grace challenged.
“The subject isn’t up for discussion.”
“It is! You’re my best friend, and that’s my sister. I need to know!”
“There’s nothing to know, Grace!” Leah snapped back.
“So, you didn’t purposefully arrange the fudge rendezvous in the kitchen?”
“Absolutely not, I had no idea she even stayed behind.”
“Okay...” Grace considered her response. “I think I believe you.”
“Well, thank you. I will be able to sleep tonight now.”
Grace bopped Leah on the end of the nose with the stuffed cheese block toy that Ezra had launched onto the floor. He found the interaction funny, the cutest laughter erupting from his tiny frame. Leah purchased five items from the kind bohemian lady in her floaty orange dress.
She handed Leah two crystals.
“Every crystal carries its own unique energy. I feel these two will be perfect for you,” she smiled sincerely.
Citrine and Rose Quartz.
The crisp autumn air surrounded Leah, one gust of wind after another caused the lengths of her hair to twist in a tornado-like fashion. She borrowed a hat from Grace, a retro blue pompom beanie that looked similar to one she had in pre-school, but it kept Leah’s ears from succumbing to the cold.
The sound of the waves lapping at the shore provided a tranquil backdrop, like the kind of background music you could record and play over the top of a meditation. In recent years, Leah had begun to appreciate the art of meditation. She hadn’t liked it at all when she first tried it; she had some preconceived notions about the type of person someone needed to be in order to meditate successfully. Leah was not that person.
How hard could it possibly be? All she had to do was sit there, close her eyes, and focus on the voice of the softly spoken lady guiding her, but it felt unnatural.
How could anyone be bad at meditating?
Well, Leah was, initially.
The experience would be ruined two minutes into a ten-minute meditation when her mind came barging in with negative thoughts, and the anxiety she was trying to rid herself of in the first place reared its ugly head. Eventually, she adjusted her expectations, and two minutes turned into five, then ten, then twenty. Now, it was firmly a part of her morning routine.
She chose to stroll along the beach at sunset. It was the first thing on the list of activities the lake house suggested—popular and cheap. In true Leah Green fashion, she missed the sunset.
Technically, it was Ezra’s fault; as Grace’s replacement husband, it was her duty to watch him while Grace was otherwise preoccupied. Grace was well and truly taking advantage—her shower lasted longer than Leah’s Mondayafternoon meetings, which she privately nicknamed ‘doomsday download.’
By the time she made it out for an evening stroll, the sun had almost set, and darkness was starting to fall. She heard the rustle of a coat, the faint swish of arms and legs making their way toward her. It was almost impossible to hear footsteps in the sand, but someone was approaching. She froze, ready to crouch and attack if necessary. Her nails were sharp enough to act as claws if used aggressively. She felt her legs tense. She had the kick of an adult horse, honed through years of being chosen as the goalkeeper in soccer. She didn’t have the coordination to play in the field, but the use of her right leg to punt the ball up the pitch could now be categorized as a defensive weapon. It worked for equine and it worked for her.
“Leah,” a voice called out.
She felt instant relief when she turned to find Ariana’s face come into focus. The moonlight cast a soft shadow across her flawless face. Years’ worth of facials and five-step skincare routines proved beneficial.
