Brighter Days

Life hadn’t been easy for Rowan. Far from it actually. He’d not been able to get ahead in life. Regardless of how much he tried. Or what he did. It felt like life wanted him dead rather than making a difference in the world. As if his story didn’t matter. As if his life didn’t matter. He kept going. For some reason. He wasn’t even sure why anymore. He wanted a better life. Even though he wasn’t sure it would ever happen. He didn’t know how he was going to get out of the toxic situation he was living in. He wasn’t sure he’d even survive it. All he knew was that he wanted out. Somehow. That he was going to find a way out. As hard as it was at the time. It seemed like an impossible task. Things kept getting worse instead of better. He felt more like a burden than anything else. He hated feeling like that. 

He’d gone into a deep Depression over time. One he wasn’t so sure he’d survive. A deep Depression he didn’t even know how to move through. It didn’t help that he was in a toxic environment. One that was slowly killing him. The little help he had seemed to be the only thing keeping him alive. The only talent he had, drawing, being the only thing he was good at. He’d spent his days drawing. He’d been able to sell his artwork to different places throughout the small town he lived in. The same one he’d grown up in. The same one that never once loved him. One he was forced to stay in for the time being. He had nothing to show for the countless jobs he’d applied to. Until one job finally gave him a chance. He didn’t have high hopes though. 

“You’re a good fit for the job. How soon can you start?” Adam said
“Tomorrow” Rowan replied
“Really?” Adam responded 
“Yes, really. I spend most of my days drawing. This is the first job I’ve had in a while. I don’t exactly have a lot of experience” Rowan sighed
“Must’ve been hard” Adam inquired
“Yeah. I got so focused on my drawings I didn’t mind much. I made a website and have been selling my drawings. I’ve done ok so far” being Rowans response  
“That’s good. I’ll see you tomorrow then” Adam smiled
”Awesome” Rowan grinned

Adam was an older, Latino man who’d taken Rowan under his wing. Rowan had become known for his introverted personality. For his short stature as well. He’d come out as a Transgender, Gay man while at the cafe. He’d felt safe enough to do so. Most of his coworkers were LGBTQ+ in some way. Adam included. He’d been married to his Husband for several years. Everyone helped Rowan through his struggles. They became his people when everyone else in his life abandoned him for living his life as himself. For doing what was best for him for once in his life. It’d caused issues with his dad. Their constant arguments left Rowan homeless after a confrontational argument. An argument where Rowan shamed his dad for not loving him for who he is. That his mom would’ve been ashamed of him also. Rowan's mom had died unexpectedly from a Brain Aneurysm twenty years prior. She’d helped him through his Depression from the other side. His dads health had begun declining after he left. A recent hospitalization meant Rowan had to get involved. Even though he wanted no part of it. He got involved anyway

“You don’t need to be here” Max irritatedly said
“You’re right, I don’t. I’m only here because I HAVE to be. I won’t be here for long though. The fact you’re not listening to anyone is pathetic. The fact you’re STILL downplaying everything is far more pathetic though” Rowan angrily replied
”Don’t-” Max began
“I wasn’t done yet. I agree with all the Doctors. You need far more help than I can give. You’re going into an Assisted Living Facility. You DON’T have a choice” Rowan firmly said
“I’m fine, I can-” Max dismissively began
“NO, you’re NOT fine. You haven’t been for a while. You’re not taking care of yourself not to mention continually downplaying everything. And frankly, I’m done, I’m just, done. You’re clearly not going to listen to me or anyone else. I’m leaving” Rowan calmly said as he grabbed his things and walked out 

Six months passed in what seemed like no time at all. Rowan had saved far more than he thought he would. He had spent most of his free time drawing after all. His website had taken off. He’d sold most of the drawings he had prior to starting at the Cafe. The ones he’d done since started he hadn’t put on the website yet. He wanted to have a little more done and put all of them up at the same time. He’d needed to update his website anyway. Something he’d been able to do during one of his days off. He’d been living in a nearby hotel for the last six months. To the surprise of his coworkers. He hadn’t wanted to worry them. Their interrogation left them speechless after Rowan revealed everything. He’d let everyone know he was leaving soon. That Adam already knew. For a while. He and Adam didn’t want to say anything just yet. 

“We’re gonna miss you” Addie said, choking on her words
“I know, I’ll miss you guys too. I’m in a better place than I was six months ago. Despite some of the issues I’ve had recently” Rowan sighed 
“It’s-” Jax began
“Unexpected, I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to say anything until I had a few more things figured out. I was going to tell you guys tomorrow morning in the group meeting until you guys began interrogating me” Rowan laughed
“Where are you going?” Addie asked
“Miami Beach. For now anyway. I’m leaving in two weeks”  Rowan replied

Everything had changed in those two weeks. Max died unexpectedly. His health issues ultimately ended his life. He hadn’t been too cooperative since Rowan went no contact with him. It was one of the Nurses at the hospital that called letting him know everything. There weren’t any Assisted Living Facilities that would take Max because of how uncooperative he was. On top of him continually lying. Unnecessarily. Max settled everything before leaving for Miami Beach. It was a short funeral after which Max was cremated and buried his dad next to Rowan’s mom. He left for Miami Beach days later. 

Rowan found work as a Dishwasher one week after moving to Miami Beach. He didn’t mind working three days every week. It left him time to roam around the area. It gave him time to draw as well. He’d updated his website. He’d put his more recent drawings up. Drawings that sold faster than he thought. He was far happier than he’d ever been before. His Cyclical Depression gnawed at him at times. He reminded himself of where he’d been. Of where he was. He reminded himself he was in a better place in life than he’d ever been before.