Empty Chairs At Empty Tables
Mar 9, 2017 23:23:23 GMT -5
Post by Savannah Taylor on Mar 9, 2017 23:23:23 GMT -5
OOC Note: I wrote this last night for a match in FFW, but since the stories work in both places, I'm posting here. Did some tweaking to make it fit better. Enjoy!
Monday, February 6th, 2017
Las Vegas, Nevada
OFF CAMERA
The last of the boxes and totes had been loaded onto the U Haul hours before. For weeks, their presence had taken over the various rooms within the confines of the townhouse. Each box, tote and piece of luggage contained virtually everything that once had a place in the home. Slow, somewhat methodical footsteps make their way throughout the downstairs rooms. Muffled at first when stepping on the carpeted surfaces, the clicking of heels echo when making contact with the smooth linoleum. A small sigh escapes Savannah’s lips as she glances around her now empty living room. Gone was the plush sectional and armchair that she had spent many an hour in after walking through the door after a rough night at the office, so to speak. Those too were loaded up into the U Haul. Savannah runs a hand along the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room,her polished nails gliding along the granite-like surface. Every so often, Savannah would look around with a wistful smile, the feeling of sadness starting to grow with each passing minute. This was something that had been months in the making, and now that the day had finally arrived, trepidation was sinking in, as if she was about to say goodbye to someone important and didn’t quite know how to go about it. In a way, she was.
This townhouse had been her home, her sanctuary for the past four years. Ever since she broke into the crazy and mixed up world of wrestling and had dealt with the chaos it brought, she had sought out her own retreat, an oasis if you will, to get away from everything. A bit ironic considering she lived in Las Vegas, but she had managed to make this place her own. This place became her comfort zone, a place she retreated to when she wanted to escape the chaos wrestling brought. Which made it her favorite place during her time in San Diego. Recent changes in her personal life made her home more special to her. But with the good also came the bad. Losing her mother over the summer changed her. It also led to her making one of the biggest mistakes of her adult life, one that she is slowly getting over. The loss of her mother causes Savannah to reevaluate a few things, namely how long she wanted to remain in Las Vegas. It was never something she entertained seriously though. If losing her mother triggered this idea, then losing her father a couple of months later kicked it into overdrive. A couple of trips out East, one of which was due to work, and the deal was done. Now the proverbial D Day was here, and for the first time in a while, the normally confident Savannah Taylor was nervous.
The sound of her iPhone ringing in her purse shook her from her reverie. Digging around a bit, she pulls out the rose gold device and presses the green ‘Talk’ button. She smiles when she sees it’s her sister Harper calling.
“Hey kiddo.”
“Gooooooooood morning!”
Savannah can’t help but laugh a bit at her sister’s enthusiasm.
“Someone’s chipper this morning.”
“My morning class was cancelled today, so I got to sleep in.”
“That explains it.”
“And someone sounds tired this morning.”
“It’s because I’ve been doing the last minute packing and loading of the furniture. Besides, there is a three hour time difference between here and Maine.”
“Fair point. So everything is all loaded and stuff?”
“Everything has been packed and loaded on the U Haul as of a few hours ago.”
“That’s good.”
There was a slight pause on the other end of the line as Harper clears her throat.
“So…..it’s really happening, isn’t it?”
“Yeah….it really is.”
“Nervous?”
“Honestly? I am. I’ve never done something like what I am about to do and it nearly terrifies me.”
“You? Terrified? My sister, who has faced some of the worst kinds of people imaginable, who wrestles in front of sold out crowds and is on television…..is scared?”
She says with a teasing tone of voice.
“This is different. It’s one thing to do what I do week in and week out. But to pack up everything and leave the place where I was born and raised? It’s a whole other ballgame.”
“I’m just teasing you. But….may I just ask a question?”
“Go for it.”
“Why are you doing it?”
Savannah pauses for a minute. Her decision to leave Sin City was somewhat complicated. She no longer felt the sense of belonging or felt at home in her hometown. She had done a great deal of soul searching on the matter, and when she came back from her working holiday overseas after New Years, she was more sure that she was making the best choice for her.
“Long story short….I needed a change. Things have been off for a while. I can’t really put into words right now, but I’m doing this for me. Maybe a complete change of scenery is precisely what I need to get my head on straight.”
“No one is going to fault you for that, Savannah. You’ve taken Mom and Dad being gone harder than anyone. I’m glad you’re being selfish this time. By the way, they would have been proud of you. Yeah last year wasn't the greatest for you professionally or personally, but you kept grinding. You kept at it because this makes you happy. Now the results are starting to pay off and your getting that swagger back."
“I hope so.”
“I know so. I know I am.”
“I wish I could tell you just how much hearing that means to me.”
She says as she wipes at the corners of her eyes with her free hand.
“You’ll have to come and see the new place once I get settled and such.”
“Well…...spring break IS next month. Besides, how else am I going to scope out my new room?”
“Hey now! Who says you get one?”
“Umm, I did. Duh.”
The two share a laugh. Savannah glances at the clock hanging on the wall and sighs slightly.
“Listen, I’m going to have to let you go. I’ve got a couple more errands to run before heading to the airport.”
“Yeah….and I should probably go get something to eat.”
“Listen, I’m glad you called. I’ll shoot you a text when I land.”
“Deal.”
“Love you, sis.”
“Love you too.”
Savannah presses the red button and hangs up the call. Slipping her phone back into her purse, she gives one final glance around before making her way to the door. She reaches down and grabs the travel bag that was resting in front of the door and slings it over her right shoulder. She tentatively places her hand on the doorknob and gives it a twist, pulling it open. Looking over her shoulder, all she can do is sigh as she steps out the door and shuts it behind her. She would soon get in the Uber that was set to arrive any minute and head to McCarran Airport, a place she had been many times before. Only instead of a round trip ticket, the ticket would be one way. Her destination? New beginnings in a new place.