AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jaxson nods, reaching for the next one.
Pete says, “That’s mine.”
A grin flashes on Jaxson as he pretends to go for it, which makes Pete laugh. Jaxson reaches instead for the next one and pulls down what turns out to be Sienna’s, who doesn’t object in the slightest.
Soon we’re all out of the shuttle bus, luggage in tow, greeted by Rachel Cocker, “Welcome to Sunflower,” her smile bright as the name.
Out walks another woman who looks to be around the same age — sixties, maybe? — in a white, floor-length cotton wrap dress, with dark skin and a warm smile. “Any trouble?”
Jaxson says easily, “Nope. Everyone, this is Sylvia. She runs Sunflower with us.”
“I’m Rachel,” his wife smiles.
“Oh, I already introduced you, Gorgeous.”
Is she blushing?
I whisper to Laura, “Wow.”
Laura whispers back, “Where can I get me what they have?”
“Let’s give them a second. Maybe it’s not all it seems.”
She eyes me and I smirk, because it’s kinda hard to fake the love we see.
Rachel and Sylvia take us into the house and, before guiding us to our rooms, they explain, finishing each other’s sentences, that they’ll be the ones guiding our meditations and classes. Meals are to be in the morning after the first yoga session. Between 8 and 9 AM. Lunch will be at 1 o'clock, and the evening meal will be at 6:30 PM every night.
“It’s better for your body not to eat right before bed,” Rachel says.
Sylvia adds, “You heal more quickly when your body isn’t expending energy on digesting food.”
Nothing about the days will be the same otherwise.
The main room is an open floor plan, with a round dining table that can fit us all. We learn that its shape was chosen with purpose. Long tables tend to make it hard for everyone to communicate. This way no one is left out of a conversation over a meal. There is no chance of loneliness.
But the space does afford alone time. In various sections of the main room are seating areas of one, two, three and four armchairs with either loveseats or sofas strategically placed beside side and coffee tables. Each and every one has a warmth and visible comfort that beckons one to sit there. On the walls are phrases in artwork, affirmations such as the one that catches my eye first, Life is all about enjoying the little moments.
Sienna and Michelle are taken to the first room. Maggie and Pete to the next. Steven and Marco to the third room. Laura to the fourth, a private. My hopes dashed. And that leaves Dax and I as roommates.
In this day and age I know that gender doesn't matter so I am not bothered by the fact that I have no clue what gender Dax is. That's why I keep referring to them as they, in my mind. But the quiet, loner vibe isn't what I was hoping for. Is there going to be a lot of drinking? I'm sober.
Rachel and Sylvia leave us to get settled in exactly the type of bedroom I’d expect a Victorian farmhouse to have — pale rose paint framing antique furniture, patchwork quilts on the two double beds, both with reclaimed-wood headboards, white Shabby Chic nightstands. There are two desks for whatever we might need them for. I motion to the bed closest to our window, that bears a painting overhead which reads, Live and Let Live, and ask, “Do you care?"
Dax says, “Don't want the sunlight shining on me in the morning,” and pulls out a flask from the top of their suitcase, takes a long drag off it. Exhales.
And there it is.
Unpacking, I mouth, “Okay then,” and then remember they’re an artist. Looking over my shoulder I see Dax pulling out more blank canvases than clothing, propping them against a wall. Paints come out next, placed with care on their nightstand.
“Hey Dax, would you take a look at my horse photo?”
Smoky-eyeliner locks reluctantly onto me, “Sure.”
I carry over my Canon, press the display button and hold out my image, noticing my hand is shaking.
Dax changes my life with one word, “Brilliant.”
“Really?”
