Second Chances

Avery had left a toxic situation behind when she moved to Atlanta. Relatives on her mothers side had failed her as family. They’d never been family to begin with. She was the Black Sheep of the family after all. She’d gone no contact with them after shaming them for actions that had spoken for them. They’d not bothered to help her since her mothers death twenty years prior. They’d not bothered to reach out after Frankie’s death. He’d been disappointed they’d not reached out during his increased health issues. Avery had found him after he’d died in his sleep. She had no plans to renew the lease in five months. She’d planned on moving to Atlanta. Or anywhere else far away from the small town she’d grown up in. A place that’d never once loved her. 

She’d either donated or thrown things away that she knew she’d not take with her. She’d managed to get a Marketing job in Atlanta. They’d let her do her job remotely after seeing she was still able to do her job. They understood her situation and worked with her. That her unfinished business wasn’t hindering her ability to work for them. She was looking forward to the move though.  She’d cremated him and buried him next to Maggie. She’d been living as an openly Lesbian woman since his death. She had gotten comments she knew she’d get after that. Comments from people who never once practiced what they preached. People who told her to pray it away. That it was just a phase. She no longer cared. She was going to live her life happily. As herself. People were going to be judgmental either way. 

A year had passed since she’d moved. She’d gone from an extended stay hotel to a Loft near the office. Reagan was the first relationship she’d been in. Her and Avery had their own issues they’d been working through. They worked through them together. They even went to therapy together. Reagan helped Avery through everything. She’d reassured Avery she’d be okay even though it didn’t seem like it at times. Their love grew as time went on. They’d explored Atlanta together. Reagan took Avery places she knew Avery would love. The pair frequented a Coffee Shop near Avery’s Loft. The pair had been open about their relationship from the start. It wasn’t something anyone else worried about. They’d gone about their day like anyone else. Accepting the pair and the love they shared. 

Avery sat on her balcony one night reflecting on the second chances she’d been given. She hadn’t thought herself worthy of any of them. She was far happier living the life she was living. A life far better than the one she’d once had. She saw herself with Reagan for the rest of their lives. She saw herself advancing in her Marketing career. She’d decided to take some time off in a few months to travel. To roam around the U.S. and see the country. For once. A bucket list she wanted to fulfill. With Reagan at her side.