Zoe Thanatos(21)
Zoe glanced at Evan. His eyes softened and he smiled kindly, trying to assure that her secret was safe.
“Yes,” he started. “In Ventura, just south from here. Zoe was then kind enough to treat me to the best meatloaf sandwich I’ve ever had.”
Eva smiled broadly at each of them. “How quaint!” she chirped.
“I just came by to invite Evan to brunch. There’s this beautiful little beach nearby with a great restaurant. It’s a must for anyone who visits Santa Barbara. Eva, I’d love for you to join us as well,” Zoe offered.
“Actually,” Evan stepped in before Eva could speak. “My sister is on her way home. Aren’t you, Eva?”
“That can wait,” she shrugged while smiling brightly at Zoe. “I’d love to join you.” She looked pointedly at Evan and smiled.
“Or you could just go home like you planned?” he fired back.
“You said yourself that could wait a day. Besides, then you can come back with me and I won’t have to go alone.”
Zoe’s eyes volleyed between Evan and Eva, finally resting on him with the most curious expression on her face. “You’re going home?” she asked, disappointment evident.
“Not yet,” he replied, his gaze still locked on Eva.
“I don’t know how much he’s told you about our home,” Eva began, “but my brother is quite important and his presence is being requested.”
“And an extra day won’t make a difference.” His eyes trained on Zoe, wishing he knew what she was thinking.
“You know what?” Eva interrupted. “I just remembered I have an important errand to run. Why don’t I meet up with you later?”
“Are you sure?” Zoe asked.
“Yes, but I would absolutely love to meet you later. Maybe you could show me and my brother around?”
“Sure,” Zoe smiled politely. “Evan, shall we? It was nice to meet you, Eva.”
“You as well, Zoe Thanatos.”
Evan shot a look back to his sister as he followed Zoe to the door.
“Shall we?” she asked sweetly.
Chapter 7: The New Day
Zoe sat on the couch for more than an hour after Evan left. It had been a long time since she had watched the changing colors of the morning light, so she sat on the couch, nibbling on macarons and taking in the quiet splendor of her surroundings. She could feel the last remnants of charged air from standing so close to Evan. For a brief moment the thought crossed her mind that he might try to... No. She forced the thought from her mind. It seemed pointless to dwell
Looking around the house she realized she hadn’t properly appreciated it for quite some time. She pulled the curtains back from each window and opened them to let the fresh air in. Nothing smelled better than citrus blossoms and the ocean. She went from room to room until the entire house was flooded with light and perfumed with the Santa Barbara air. She followed her nose outside and found that the backyard had overgrown from neglect. The dark planks of wood that made up the deck surrounding the lagoon-shaped pool were weathered and in need of care. The thick plastic chaise lounges were years past their prime. Only the pool itself looked maintained; it was crystal clear, clean and inviting.
Zoe walked to the deep end, stripped off the ugly jeans and ratty old shirt she was still dressed in from the previous day, and stood in nothing but her bra and underwear, welcoming the feeling of the sun as it touched parts of her skin that hadn’t seen natural light in far too long.
She dove in with arms stretched out high above her head, spearing into the water in a perfect line. By the time she surfaced she was chilled to the bone and couldn’t care less. The water carried her effortlessly for what seemed like hours, gently pushing her around the pool until every last thought escaped from her mind.
It was as if a reset button had been pushed and she was starting over. For the first time in a year she had woken up without the emptiness that had haunted her. It would take a while for something to fill the space left behind by the emptiness, but she sensed something small had already taken root. Zoe wasn’t all that different from her backyard: barren and in need of nutrients. The small something she felt was a seedling and with practiced care it could grow into something beautiful, perhaps even worthwhile.
She emerged from the water hours later, prune-skinned and completely relaxed. She headed straight for the shower and stood beneath a stream of hot water, washing away the chlorine, the salty air of Ventura harbor, and the last remnants of Santa Cruz Island. It was her fresh start in every sense of the word.
Once clean, she headed straight to the dresser in her bedroom with a towel wrapped securely around her torso. Out of habit she opened the last drawer to pull out a pair of jeans, but stopped. She’d worn the same clothes from the same dresser every day for a year, always selecting the same sad uniform. In one of her earlier attempts to have fun, she had splurged on expensive and stylish clothes in bright colors, patterns and prints that every salesperson confirmed would make her look pretty/sexy/hot. But when they produced nothing more than a hefty credit statement, she left them in the closet, untouched and forgotten, and went back to wearing the same drab and comfortable uniform of sadness.