Happy, Finally

I’d been living in Miami Beach for a while. I’d left the toxic environment I’d been forced to live in. A toxic area, with toxic people, with no hope of making it out alive. I knew the low paying job wasn’t going to get me out. It didn’t help that I wasn't getting many hours on top of that. I hadn’t been able to financially leave because of the job I was at. I had job security though. It didn’t change the fact I wanted another job. I’d found ways to save money though. Somehow. The main one being I’d been able to get a remote Proofreading job. It paid well. I knew I’d be able to save money and leave. The confrontational conversation I had with dad left me briefly homeless. It was a long time coming. I’d already packed everything I didn’t use on a daily basis knowing the confrontation could happen any time. 

“It’s not that bad” he said, nonchalantly
“YES IT IS THAT BAD! Stop downplaying everything and lying to me” I yelled back at him 
“I’m not-” he began
“YES YOU ARE! I’m done being here” I screeched
“Don’t-” he began
“I’m not arguing, I’m telling you I’m leaving. If you’re not going to listen to me there’s no reason for me to stay. You didn’t even listen to the Cardiologist” I said 

I knew he’d face the consequences of his actions after I left. I knew it likely wouldn’t be long after either. I’d been the buffer for far too long. People didn’t realize much because of him not showing signs on top of that. I wasn’t going to keep helping someone that clearly didn’t want my help anyway. I hadn’t told him about my Proofreading job. For a reason. I hadn’t told anyone. I didn’t feel the need to. Not until now anyway when people were asking how I was going to make things work on the little money they knew I had. Nobody was surprised when I said where I was going. It made sense for me to move to Miami Beach. They understood I was leaving my past in the past. I’d keep in touch while vowing to never return. Not even for his funeral. I’d made it clear I was cutting all contact with him. I was already far happier than before and I wasn’t even in Miami Beach yet. 

“I knew you’d go to Miami Beach” Gio smiled
“Yeah, obviously. One step at a time. Yeah, I want to go to New York. I want to spend some time in Miami Beach before I move there. I have more than enough to move up there now. I just want some time in Miami Beach first” I replied
“Yeah, I figured that. How long are you going to stay in Miami Beach?” He inquired
“No idea, as long as I want at this point” I giggled
“I’m not surprised” he laughed
“I have all the time in the world now” I grinned

I’d already told my Retail job I was leaving. I hadn’t told them anything until the day I quit. I’d spent the next two days in a hotel near the train station figuring some things out before I left. I reflected on the last five days of my life. How I didn’t even feel bad for going off on dad the way I had. How I’d told him what he needed to hear everything I said. That mom would’ve been ashamed of him if she were here. It’d been over twenty years since she’d passed unexpectedly from a Brain Aneurysm. I was barely fourteen at the time. I wanted nothing more than to be in Miami Beach already. It wouldn’t be long, a measly twenty four hours, before I was in Miami Beach. I’d packed the rest of my things before going to bed. I wasn’t so sure how well I’d sleep. I was content with whatever sleep I got though. 

“I’m going to miss you” Gio sighed
“I’m going to miss you too. You’ll be in Miami Beach, or New York soon enough” I smiled
“Yeah, I know. Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s Miami Beach” he laughed

Gio had made a point to take me to the train station. To see me one last time before I left. I knew I’d likely be in Miami Beach long enough for him to join me there. I’d focused on my Proofreading job during everything. I’d been able to get far more done than before. The money coming in meant I could stay there as long as I wanted. It also meant I could book the hotel on the beach. I had my eye on the Penthouse. I realized I could spend a month there if I wanted to after seeing how much it would be to stay for a month. I booked it without hesitation. It was in the heart of where I wanted to be in Miami Beach after all. It was also a beautiful Penthouse I was able to stay in.

“Checking in” I calmly said
“Name?” Sasha asked
“Shiloh Schoenberg” I replied
“ID please” she asked
“Here ya go” I smiled
“Okay, that’s…. Unusual. We don’t have many people staying as long as you are in the Penthouse” she mentioned  
“I fell in love with the pictures that I saw” I smiled
“Here for vacation? She asked
“No, moving here. Wanted to treat myself” I remarked

I reiterated I wanted to treat myself while finding an apartment. I had a job that paid well, saved, and left an area that never loved me. It was my version of self care. It was something I’d always wanted to do. Something I was financially able to do. I already loved the life I was creating. Sasha had even noticed how happy I was. The freedom I felt from leaving was the reason why. I was happy for once in my life. Far happier than I’d ever been before.