I'm moving.
It was taking too long and the move out date was quickly approaching.
Sutton offers herself and Wesley to help me.

Wes takes the kitchen and Sutton takes Cherry's room.
I finish in my bedroom and stop at the bottom of the stairs.
Looking around our home, I barely recognize it.

Without Peter's mumbling to himself in the kitchen as he fixes something,
without Cherry's laughter coming from her bedroom as she plays with her unicorns,
it doesn't feel like home.

The living room window curtains are in a box already.
It's too bright in here.

I walk to the cabinet next to Peter's chair.
The photo albums.
I hold Cherry's baby book in my hands when I realize I'm crying.

Wesley's hand on my shoulder startles me and I drop the book.
He picks it up as Sutton walks in holding one of the unicorns.

That's when I really hurt.
I push one of the boxes with curtains off the couch and onto the floor.

"Too many damn memories just to box them all up!" I exclaim, falling into the cushions.
Sutton sits beside me, Wes in front of me.
They each hold a hand.
"We aren't boxing them," Wes says, "Because all those memories are still here."
He points a finger on my forehead.
"And Peter and Cherry will always be here."
He points to my heart.

My lip quivers and my head leans on Sutton's shoulder.
Wesley comes to my other side and the two of them wrap me in their arms.

I don't know how I'd get through this without them.

~

I paint the living room walls red.
And there's a box of tools under the kitchen sink,
just to be safe.

There's a knock at the door.
My new apartment is definitely smaller, but it's affordable.
It's already got all my furniture, and Sutton is taking me shopping tomorrow for more.

I reach the door and Dominick is standing there with pink roses in a green vase.
"Wesley gave me the address. Happy homecoming," he smiles and hands me the flowers.
I invite him in and make him spaghetti because it's all I have organized at the moment.

I realize this is the first meal I've had with someone since Peter.
It's really good.
I hope Peter's good, too.