Page 25 of Devastation
A small part of me is nervous that someone might see me, and instantly the walls darken to be black as night, conforming to my needs.
"Holy shit," I breathe out in awe.
Tentatively, I walk towards the opening of the shower and find myself already missing the landscape and natural light streaming in. The walls convert to a slightly tinted glass, allowing me to see out, but not feel completely exposed.
Much better.
As my foot crosses into the pebbled floor of the shower, the water instantly turns on, heating up to the temperature I desire. Walking to the middle, I tilt my head back and let the water run over my face and through my hair, cascading down my body.
After a minute of just enjoying the heat, I find a cucumber mint shampoo and conditioner on one of the ledges in front of me. Squeezing a dollop of shampoo into my hands, I quickly lather it into my scalp but pause upon feeling something that most definitely isn’t hair.
It breaks off with ease as I tug on it to pull it around for observation. A cross between a small laugh and a soft cry bubbles out of me as I see the slightly crushed, delicate white flower in my hand.
Reaching back with my free hand, I run my hand through my wet locks once more and feel a few more blooms entwined. They stay put unless I pull them off, and I’m shocked the petals don’t crush or break off with the ministrations of washing my hair.
I close my hand softly around the flower in my hand and hold it to my chest, suddenly thinking of both Gaia and Grammie. Sharing this feature with Gaia—my mother—fills me briefly with a combination of joy and grief. At the thought of the crushed flower in my hand, Grammie’s voice fills my mind,“Just because something is damaged doesn’t mean you can’t find the beauty in it.”
Taking this moment, I let the love and strength of all the amazing women I've been so lucky to have in my life wash over me.
Gaia.
Beth.
Grammie.
Zaria.
Serenity.
Feeling comforted by this moment, I gently uncurl my hand and place the flower on one of the open shower ledges.
Quickly rinsing out the shampoo, I move toward the side of the shower that is somewhat sheltered from the water and work the conditioner into my hair, letting it sit for a little bit. Tilting my head back against the window, I breathe in the steam of the shower and list positive intentions for this day in my mind.
Today is going to be a good day.
We will get answers, and we will move forward, no matter what those answers are.
Our family will begin to heal and move forward. Together.
Opening my eyes and bringing my head up, I nod to myself, satisfied with my full belief in those three phrases. I won't allow anything else.
I rinse the conditioner from my hair and quickly wash my body with a bar of lavender soap that has oatmeal worked into it for exfoliation.
When I feel renewed and ready to face the day, the water shuts off, and I reach into my core to connect with my powers, willing a cone of air around me. At first it's a cold whip of wind, and I instantly add an element of fire into it, heating it to soothe away my goosebumps.
When my body and hair are dried, I step from the shower and exit the bathroom, padding over to the dresser. Hopefully there are clothes for me in here alongside the guys'.
Opening the top drawer, I find a mess of lacy underwear and unlined bras. Pawing through the assortment, I settle on a simple nude toned set and slip them on. Going to the next drawer, I find a pair of light green linen shorts and a white tank.
Quickly yanking them on, I head out of the room and into the kitchen, my senses immediately teased by the scent of bacon telling me where to go.
Follow the yellow brick road? More like follow the sweet scent of bacon.
Walking into the kitchen, I'm instantly bombarded with hugs and "good mornings" from everyone as they take turns circling around me. I feel like I'm tossed from one set of arms to the next, and I am not complaining in the least.
The last pair of arms I'm enveloped by belong to Ash, who drops a kiss onto my head and murmurs softly, "I told you I'd be back."
Tilting my head up to look at him, I note that his face and body seem much more relaxed than last night, and I squeal in excitement. Jumping up, I land a chaste kiss to his lips before turning around to find my plate of food.
