I am feeling so overwhelmed! I don’t even know where to begin! Why did I do this? Did I make a huge mistake?
I set my phone down on the counter, and helped myself to another cup of tea.
I waited for my phone to buzz, indicating a response from one or both of them. Suddenly, the sound of my phone ringing filled the room. I picked it up and was happy to see that Michelle was trying to FaceTime me. I knew this meant that she and Alicia were calling together, and I quickly answered it.
“Hello! Thank you for calling me!”
I was so happy to see their faces, but I immediately burst into tears.
“Oh sweet girl,” Michelle said. “Don’t cry.”
“It’ll be okay,” Alicia said. “You’re going to figure this out.”
“I know,” I said, wiping my tears and trying to stop myself from crying. “It’s just all too much right now.”
“Well, you don’t need to figure it all out right this very minute,” Michelle said.
“She’s right,” Alicia added. “You don’t have to have all the answers right now.”
I nodded.
“I know. You’re right. I just started trying to get some ideas about decorating, and then one thing led to another andsuddenly here I am in the middle of this huge place, feeling completely alone, and completely clueless.”
“We are here,” Alicia said. “I know it’s not the same as being right next to you, but just know that you aren’t alone.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Okay,” Michelle said. “As far as your ideas about decorating. Have you looked for ideas to inspire you? Have you done any research? Or did you just try to jump in with both feet, without much preparation?”
I hung my head and didn’t answer. I didn’t need to.
“There you go,” Michelle said. “Take it slow. Get some inspiration. Go one step at a time, and don’t rush into anything. And try to find somebody who knows what they’re doing who can help you.”
“Thank you,” I said. “That’s exactly what I needed to hear.”
“I know,” Michelle said, smirking. “That’s what I’m here for.”
“So what else have you been up to?” Alicia said. “The last we heard you guys had arrived there in California. So tell us what else has been going on!”
“Well,” I said. “My parents help me get everything moved in and unpacked. Last night I took them to the airport and this morning I went surfing with my friend Josh. Then I came home this afternoon, had a meltdown, and now I’m talking to you.”
“Wait,” Alicia said, raising her eyebrows. “Josh? That’s a boy’s name.”
I laughed. “Yes, it is a boy's name.”
“Okay,” Michelle said. “So tell us more about him!”
“He is my friend I have known pretty much forever,” I said. “I mean, we didn’t really become good friends until high school, since he’s a few years older than me, but I grew up knowing him, seeing him at the ballpark, and just around my town.”
“And…” Alicia said, smiling.
“And he taught me how to surf. And he still lives here in town. He has an adopted fourteen year old son, and is a genuinely good guy. And today I went to the beach, he happened to be there, and we spent the morning surfing together.”
“And…” Michelle said.
“And what?” I asked. “There’s really nothing else to say.”
“What does he look like?” They both said in unison.
