24 Goodbyes and Beginnings
24 Goodbyes and Beginnings
24
Goodbyes and Beginnings
Tessy folded her clothes neatly, tucking them into the suitcase one after another. She moved around the small room in a quiet rhythm, fold, place, smooth, like she was trying to keep her thoughts from spilling over. The night moon spilled its silver light through the window, brushing over her face and lighting up the room in soft shades. A faint breeze pushed the curtains inward, shifting them lazily and revealing the world outside.
Her eyes drifted. Just beyond, Ryan’s bedroom window stood across the space. She froze, caught off guard by the sight. Memories surged without warning, his voice, his laughter, the sting of his words. For a heartbeat, she let herself feel it, then shook her head sharply. No. Even if she somehow bumped into him in the city, which was unlikely, she would walk past like a stranger. There was nothing left to say. And she was certain he’d ignore her too. Especially after the words he flung at her.
The creak of the door snapped her out of it.
“Hi.” Patricia slipped in, her smile stretched tight, as though it took effort to form it. She sat on the edge of the bed.
“Oh, Patty.” Tessy cleared her throat, forcing calm. Earlier that evening, she had dropped the news, she was leaving for the city. A better job. A real chance. She’d spent the whole day at work weighing it over, realizing staying here meant running in circles, stuck in the same routine year after year. If she wanted change, she had to chase it, even if it meant uncertainty, even if it scared her.
“So you’re really leaving.” Patty’s fingers tangled nervously in her lap.
“Yes, Patty. I have to.” Tessy’s voice was soft, steady. She sat down beside her.
“No, wait…” Patty lifted her head quickly, eyes wide. “I’m not stopping you. I know this is best for you. You’re better than this small town.”
Tessy gave a short chuckle and reached out, clasping her hands.
“It’s just…” Patty’s voice broke, her eyes glassing with tears. “I’m going to miss you. So much. I haven’t lived a day without you, so this… this is scary.”
“Grams is here. She’ll take care of you.”
“I know,” Patty whispered, swallowing hard. “But it’ll be strange without you around. Still, I won’t hold you back. More than anyone, I want you to go out there and shine.” She squeezed Tessy’s hand. “Just promise me you’ll reach out. I’ll call. I’ll text.”
Tessy’s lips curved into a tender smile. “Of course I will. Why wouldn’t I?” Her throat tightened.
“Come here.” She pulled Patty into a fierce hug. “We’ll be fine. This is for all of us. I won’t disappoint you.”
“I trust you,” Patty whispered against her shoulder.
When they pulled apart, she brushed at her cheeks, laughing shakily. “So much for being strong.” She gave Tessy’s arm a playful shove, and Tessy laughed too.
Then Patty’s tone shifted. “Tessy…” she hesitated, chewing her lip. “Since you’ll both be in the same city… Do you think you’ll see Ryan?”
Tessy’s laugh came out sharp, almost a scoff. “I don’t know. Doesn’t matter.” She turned back to her suitcase, avoiding Patty’s gaze.
Patty got the message. She let it go. “Alright. Then let me help you.” She knows better than to push it.
“No, it’s okay. You’ve got work tomorrow. Go rest.” Tessy softened her voice. “I’m sad I won’t be here to see you off on your first day, but I know you’ll handle it like a pro.”
Patty’s lips curved into a grin. “ Good night, sis.”
“Good night.”
When the door clicked shut, the silence fell heavy. The moonlight still poured in, spilling over the half-packed suitcase, over Tessy’s face, as if reminding her, tomorrow, everything changes.
Tessy sighed, folding another blouse into the suitcase. Ryan here, Ryan there, why couldn’t everyone just stop? If they knew what he did, they’d hate him too. Or maybe… maybe they wouldn’t.
Her chest tightened.
Damn him. He hurt her, and that’s what matters.
The door creaked open. Bruno stepped in, his shoulders tense, eyes soft with worry. Without a word, he crossed the room, picked up a stack of clothes, and began folding beside her.
“Are you sure this is the best decision?” he asked quietly, slipping a shirt into the suitcase. “Will you really be okay out there?”
Tessy forced a small smile, though her hands trembled as she smoothed the fabric. “Yes. This is for the best. I can’t move forward if I stay here. And I’ll be able to help you and Patty more. The pay is higher, and accommodation’s free.”
Bruno paused, setting a dress aside. He shook his head, voice tightening. “No, Tessy. Please, promise me you’ll think about yourself first. You’ll be able to help us more if you’re okay. Don’t sacrifice yourself for our sake. We’ll manage here. Grams will do her best, too.”
The words broke her. She laughed weakly as tears spilled down her cheeks. “Thank you,” she whispered, sniffing. “You’re right. I’ll check in. I’ll reach out. But I’ll miss you. I’ll miss all of this.”
Bruno pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly while she cried against his chest. He said nothing, just stood steady until her breathing calmed. When she finally stepped back, wiping her face, her gaze swept over the room one last time.
“Thank you, Bruno. I think we’re done here.”
He nodded. “You should rest now. Big day tomorrow.”
“Good night.”
“Good night, Tess.”
When he left, the silence pressed down on her. She showered, changed into her nightdress, and slipped beneath her duvet, clinging to its warmth. Thoughts raced, memories, fears, hopes but exhaustion won. Soon, she drifted into sleep.
Morning came with a soft glow. The sun spilled gently across her window, golden light warming the cool air, wrapping the moment in both promise and farewell. Tessy’s suitcase stood ready by the door, her shoes polished, her bag zipped tight. She was ready.
Downstairs, Grams embraced her one last time. “You’ve saved their number, right?”
“Yes.” Tessy nodded, pressing her face into her grandmother’s shoulder.
“When you arrive, they’ll pick you up at the station and take you straight to their mansion. You’ll be fine. They’re good people.”
She moved to Bruno and Patty, hugging them fiercely, memorizing the feel of home one last time. She had no wide circle of friends, just a handful, and her best friend Alex, she’d already said her goodbyes yesterday after handing in her resignation at both jobs.
“Take care of yourselves,” she whispered, her throat thick.
They nodded, though their eyes glistened.
Finally, Tessy flagged down a taxi. Her suitcase was loaded, and she slid into the back seat. As the cab pulled away, she glanced back once, heart twisting, then fixed her eyes forward.
At the train station, she bought the ticket, boarded, and settled by the window. As the engine rumbled to life, she exhaled, watching the town’s familiar buildings blur past into streaks of memory.
A new beginning awaited in Haven city.
She didn’t know what lay ahead but she was ready to step forward, to leap into the unknown.