Labyrinth

Emery’s life had been far different than most. Her health issues left her feeling like a burden. Her mothers unexpected death a few mere months after she began having seizures didn’t help. Most didn’t understand what she was going through. Her mothers death stemmed from a Brain Stem Stroke. She was barely fourteen at the time. She distanced herself over time. People telling her she was grieving for far too long. People who didn’t fully understand what losing someone to a Brain Stem Stroke was like. Some of whom had lost people as well. Her trust issues increased over time. 

The labyrinth of life took its toll on her over the next twenty years. People betrayed her. People she’d thought were friends. People whose actions spoke far louder than anything they’d ever say. The few that remained let their actions speak as well. It was their actions that gave her hope. She’d read far more Psychology books than most thought. Her highly observant nature saw patterns. She became far too weary to make any new friends.  The people she did trust she trusted with her life. They knew that. They helped her through her issues when nobody else wanted to. 

“I’m proud of you for staying even when you don’t want to” Maggie said
“Thanks. It’s hard some days. It feels impossible some days. I remind myself of why “I’m here. Of why I stay” Emery replied
“That’s what matters” Matt mentioned
Things have been so hard recently. I just want to have some semblance of a normal life. It’s felt impossible most days. I keep going with some hope” Emery tearfully said

The harsher realities of her life were obvious over time. Her health issues had taken its toll. Along with having to work when she should’ve been on Disability instead. She somehow didn’t qualify for Disability despite being clearly sick. Her overall health issues meant working was an issue. Her job as a Dishwasher at one of the local restaurants was a job she’d liked. She worked the day shift. Cameron, her boss, had seen early on just how much her health issues plagued her. He admired her determination and stubborn nature. Her work ethic wasn’t something he’d seen in others. 

She moved through the labyrinth that’d become her life in her own way. Her drawings reflected what she was feeling. Most of the time. Her drawings brought her some extra income. The restaurant even paid her a little more to put some of her drawings throughout the restaurant. Ten of her drawings were displayed throughout the restaurant as a result. People often asked who’d drawn them. The Dishwasher being the only response. She’d saved a decent amount of money after people wanted to buy her drawings. A decent amount of money that afforded her an extended vacation in Miami Beach. 

“You deserve this vacation. Time away from the shitty situation you’re in” Cameron said 
“I know. My mind keeps going to something’s going to go wrong if I do it. Like every other time. A walk on eggshells-” Emery began saying
“I know, trust me, I know. You’ve got the money, from everything you’ve done. You don’t even take time off. You even come in when asked. You, above everyone here, deserve a break. You’re human after all” Cameron retorted 
“I’ve had to deal with more than I should. I’m always talking about taking a break while also not wanting to. Now’s the time to do so. It’s not like I’m doing anything else after all” Emery sighed
“It’s settled then. I’m going to schedule your time off and adjust the schedule so you can take the time off you need” Cameron smiled

One month later she was roaming around Miami Beach for a month. She’d wanted to go to New York City. She’d realized it wasn’t something she could physically do. Not yet anyway. The getaway in MIami Beach wasn’t something she was sure of doing either. There was no shortage of places to sit down though. She’d spoken out more than once during the trip. People who were amazed that she was doing as well as she was. She’d taken frequent breaks. To take in everything around her. To watch the people passing by. To reflect on how she got there. 

She’d spoken up about her Epilepsy. About the genetic disorder she’d been recently diagnosed with. The same genetic disorder, as it turned out, her mother died from as well. People felt for her after hearing her story. They wanted change within the United States far more than before after hearing her story. People who’d realized the injustice toward Disabled people. Cameron had been the one telling her she needed some time away to process everything. Some time by the beach was in order for her. One of her favorite places to be after all. Everyone that knew her knew she loved the beach. She hadn’t wanted a little more time off to travel around New York City at some point. She wanted to move to Miami Beach or New York City.

“Not all medical conditions are visible. All of mine are invisible. My life is mostly normal. I have issues like everyone else. Granted I’ve been through more than most though. I still have a somewhat normal life” Emery mentioned
“I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for you though” Constantine sighed
“I can’t either sometimes. I manage. Somehow” Emery replied
“I’m glad you’ve been able to have some semblance of a normal life” Owen salad
“This is the first vacation I’ve had in years. Something always happens every time I try to get away for a while. I’m happy I’m able to for the next month” Emery smiled 

She’d found ways to navigate the labyrinth of life far better than before. She saw she could make a living by selling her drawings. She’d somehow managed to even sell some of her drawings to several shops in Miami Beach during her stay there. All of whom wanted more of her drawings. She’d let them know she’d work on more and send some to each one. Her day job at the restaurant felt more like a placeholder as time went on. Her urge to travel increased each day. A wanderlust she wanted to indulge. She’d saved far more than expected in the few months after she got back from her trip. She even created a website people could buy her artwork from. The restaurants included. She’d begun making a name for herself. She’d barely been able to keep up after a while. She’d managed to do so. She’d managed to save far more than enough to travel. A decent amount of which would be spent in New York. 

She’d taken a few months off to do so a year after her trip to Miami Beach. She was in a far better place regarding her health than ever before. She’d completely changed her life in the year since her Miami Beach trip. She saw life differently than she ever had. People saw the change during that time. Her dad’s health had continued to get worse. She’d not often spoken about it. For good reason. Nobody believed her when she talked about him not taking care of himself the way he needed to. How he refused to listen to the Doctors. He didn’t seem to want the help. She’d taken a step back as a result. Part of the reason she’d taken so much time off to travel around New York. She hoped people would see what she was talking about. 

“I’m really happy you’re doing this” Cameron said
“I am also. I didn’t think I’d be able to. I haven’t even wanted to. Given everything going on right now anyway. It’s about time I do what’s best for me. You can’t help someone that doesn’t want it” Emery sighed

People had seen it within the first month of her travels. They’d understood everything by the time she returned. They’d felt worse for not believing her. For not helping sooner either. She no longer wanted to hear it. She’d found a job in New York that she’d taken. It was an opportunity she wasn’t about to pass up. She knew it was a sign from her mother and paternal grandmother. Her life was finally getting better. It didn’t feel real at first. Her last week at the restaurant was an emotional one. They knew she was better off in New York City. That she’d be able to have a life there. The opportunity had come at a time in her life where her artwork had taken off. She’d left a note on the site after the last of her drawings sold letting people know she was taking a break and why. People left messages of how proud of her they were. She felt a sense of pride, rightfully so after that. Her dad was put into a care facility before she left. The best option for him.