A Sad Collection of Belongings

Yet another chapter in The Second Life of Brian Series.

Brian decided he needed to call Scott.

He’d offered to take Sarah away without actually thinking about where “away” was. He hoped that Scott and Sasha would be happy to take them in, at least for a few nights.
Brian’s fingers trembled as he searched for Scotts number in his phone. He pressed the “Call” button and waited nervously as the phone rang.

“Hey, it’s Scott”
“Scott,” Brian’s voice sounded more urgent and unsteady than he had intended, “It’s me, Brian. I need your help. It’s Sarah.”
“Brian what’s happening? Is everyone alright?”
“It’s Sarah, I need to help her.”
“But she’s okay at the moment? You don’t need to go to the hospital or anything like that?”
“No. Not the hospital. I don’t really know what exactly what the problem is. But she’s scared and I’m helping her pack up her things. We need somewhere to stay.”
“I see, does she know about me and Sasha? You know you can just stay with us.”
Brian let out the air he had been holding in his chest since the Scott had picked up the phone, “Thank you Scott. I didn’t expect this to happen, I just, I don’t want to put you guys out.”
“Brian you’ve met Sasha, she lives for this kind of thing. Talk to Sarah, see if she’s happy to stay with us and I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes or so.”
“Great, thanks Scott.”

Brian put his phone back in his pocket and turned to leave the room to find Sarah standing in the doorway.
The question was written all over her face, but she asked it anyway, “Who’s Scott, Brian?”
“He’s just a friend, he helped me to find you.”
“And we’re going to stay with him?”
“Yes, if you’re happy to. Scott and Sasha. I met Sasha on the plane over here and she sort of decided to take me in.”
Sarah looked apprehensive, “She decided to take you in . . . and you only just met them? Are you sure these people are trustworthy?”
“I can’t really tell you that, I just trust them. They are kind people and they’re generous. They give me a good feeling, you know?”
Sarah was shaking her head, “No I don’t really. I’ve forgotten how to trust people, I had to.”
“Well Scott’s coming to get us but I guess I could try to organise something else if you like.”
“No, if you trust them then I will try. Because I do trust you. Is he coming soon?”
“Yeah, he should be here in ten minutes or so. Have you got everything ready?”
“I’ve got everything gathered together, my life in bags and suitcases.”

In the hallway Sarah’s collection of worldly possessions was a depressing sight to behold. Two ragged suitcases and eight, or so, plastic grocery bags.
Sarah walked in and out of each of the rooms, scanning them for personal items she might have forgotten. She finally stood across from Brian in the hallway, “I suppose I’m going to lose another security deposit. I seem doomed to a life of running away.”
The tears were welling in her eyes and spilling over onto her creamy cheeks. Brian couldn’t help himself, he pulled her into his arms and held her silently sobbing body.
“It’s going to be okay now, you know. We’ll figure something out.”

Outside a car honked its horn a couple of times. Sarah looked up at Brian, “So that will be your friend Scott?”
“That’s probably him. Don’t worry, they’re great. Come on.” Brian loaded his arms with as many plastic bags as he could manage then took both of the suitcases in his hands, “Can you grab the door for me please?”
“Of course.” She opened the door and then, as Brian walked out, took one last look down the hallway of the house she had tried to make into a home and then followed him with the remaining bags, locking the door behind her.