Another day. Another Page

He dropped his hands to his side, as if waking up from a dream, and studied my confused expression.
“ I'm sorry. You must think I'm crazy. I'm assuming you were referring to something more general. Like a name maybe?” He said with the grin that was perpetually on his face.
“A name would be nice.” I managed to breath out.
“People call me Kairon,” He said extending his familiar hand that had changed everything. My own hand, like a puppet on a string, mirrored his actions.
“People call me Ava,” I said boldly looking into his eyes, knowing the effect they would have on me. I couldn't describe the moment as romantic, nor could I even say that I loved the man that stood in front of me. The word love wasn't strong enough to describe the gratitude, awe and wonder that overwhelmed me when I stood in his presence.
“Ava,” he said thoughtfully. “Very fitting for you.”
“It means bird.”
“That it does. So, little bird, I believe it's time for you to pack and fly away. Are you ready to say goodbye to this place?” His words slapped me like an angry lover. Why did we have to go? I finally felt safe and loved and he wanted to take that away. I let go of his hand and crossed my arms around me like a pouting child. The deep belly laugh I received in return caught me off guard.
“Would it help if I told you that I was coming along?” He asked crossing his own arms across his chest. It did help. I shrugged my shoulders in surrender. I would go wherever he went. He was my home. I knew that in the deepest parts of my heart. There was no point of resisting it. “Great! Now let's get going, tide is coming in.” He said nodding to our ocean. I said a silent, mournful goodbye and started the trek to the path that led to the parking lot. The white, dingy trailer I had called home for many torturous years looked abandoned in the empty parking lot. It sat in the shade and the darkness that shrouded it was so appropriate. I hadn't realized or felt Kairon's strong arm wrap around my shoulders. He pushed me forward, though all I wanted to do was run in the other direction; to fly away and never return.
“Are you sure he's gone?” I asked, rubbing the sweat of my hands on my torn, loose fitting jeans. Billy had permitted me to buy them after blood from his most recent beating had stained the only pair I had. Kairon chuckled. He was always laughing. I liked that.
“Yes I am very sure of it. No one gets to hurt you anymore.” He said gently stroking my shoulder.
“It's just... I don't really have anything inside of there. I'm wearing the only things I own. Let's just leave.” I said, trying to turn the other way.
“It's important Ava. I'm sure there has to be something you'd like to take with you. We won't ever be able to come back here.”
He was right. There was one thing that I would always regret not bringing with me. Taking a deep, cleansing breath I stepped forward, but Kairon remained planted where he was standing.
“Aren't you coming with me?” I pleaded. He simply shook his head.
“No, dear. This is something you need to do by yourself.”
Knowing that he wouldn't budge on his decision, I realized this was something that I needed to do alone. I had to feel the cold handle of the small door that had ushered in my beaters, accusers, and false friends. I had to walk on the floor that had been my bed even on the coldest nights; the tile that had been soaked with my tears. I had to prune this rotten branch from my life to make room for new growth.
The deep, unnatural darkness that consumed the inside of the trailer held a far too familiar oppression. It reeked of alcohol and urine and stung my eyes. The family of flies that encrusted the red curtains were the only sign of life and that comforted me. I quickly ran to the pillow on the small, makeshift bed and ripped into it with a fury. Feathers floated peacefully around me as I pulled out the gold locket I had hid for the past 14 years. Sometimes in a pillow, sometimes in my pocket, always out of sight. I kissed it and jammed it into my pocket, anxious to be released from the growing panic that was rising inside of me.