The Pursuit of Happiness

Three weeks have passed – three full weeks of getting used to the people and the neighbourhood I now lived in. It took me two weeks to form an attachment for the Leto family. It took me a week to realize it and accept the fact that they were here to stay and that above it all I was here to stay.

Ruby and Constance came often and invited me over almost every day. It became a small habit of mine, spending my evenings with them. At one point it was terrifying to admit that in my heart they were like family to me. It was still so weird, but to be absolutely honest the feeling filled the void I had in my heart and it made me feel a little bit less lonely.

Martha was a different story – I haven’t seen her since the night she came over with a busted lip and tears streaming down her face. She left early the morning after and it made me worried. There were many times when I wanted to just stop what I was doing and go over, but I stopped every time. What was the point and was it really necessary? She plagued my mind and many nights I found myself not being able to sleep, because of the countless thoughts running through my head. Was she okay? Was she even alive? What would I do if not? Will they blame me? Will I blame myself? Maybe there was something I could do.

It all came down to a point when I was too consumed by my thoughts that I didn’t realize Constance was talking to me. She saw that something was not right and that I seemed distracted and I told her about Martha and the state she was in that evening she came over. Constance said that it wasn’t the first time Martha has been the victim of her boyfriend’s abuse and yet she never wanted to press charges against him. I asked her why haven’t anyone stepped in at which Constance shrugged and said “It’s not our place to say. There’s a lesson in every situation, she just has to learn the hard way.”

It was an unpleasant situation, but Constance’s words rang loudly through my mind – and that’s when I realized why something inside of me didn’t let me to step up and do something; it really wasn’t my place to say or do anything. Martha was a beautiful soul and my heart could not stand the abuse that she was going through, but I knew very well that if she would get out of this situation without learning her lesson, she would get herself in the same situation later on in her life. That was the way of life.

It was Mother’s day and I was invited to Leto’s household for a dinner later that evening. I didn’t know how they celebrate the day in the States, but in the country I grew up we presented our mothers flowers – usually narcissus. Since I couldn’t find any narcissus earlier in the market I figured that I would make something on my own.

Constance and Ruby absolutely loved my white tulips, so I decided to plant some of them in two matching pots and give them as gifts. So there I was in my sun-lighted kitchen, covered in soil and trying to make the flowers stay in their proper places. I painted two semi-large pots in white matching the blossoms and tied the tulips with a light green ribbon, adjusting the small bow at the center of the petioles. The composition was beautiful and neat, and I was proud of myself – I just hoped that they would love it.

* * *

It was eight in the evening when Ruby called asking when I will be coming over. She sounded so cheerful and I could hear voices in the background – guests have already arrived, which only meant one thing – I was running late. I slipped in my shoes and ran over to the kitchen picking up the two pots of flowers, making sure that the paint was dry. One last glance in the mirror and I was out the door as fast as I my heels would let me. I hated being late.

I had my little red dress one – it was a classy cloth, nothing too fancy, just a simple cotton material that hugged my curves, complimenting my frame nicely. I decided to wear the black leather heels for once since those were the only shoes that matched the look, but at that point I realized that it was the worst idea ever – a long time has passed since the last time I wore heels and my feet were already hurting like crazy.

I was more of a converse and ballerinas type of girl. There was nod doubt, every woman looked more feminine with heels on, but to me comfort always came first. And no matter how comfortable heels were, there was no comparison between shoes I was used to wearing every day and shoes that I wore occasionally.

My curly hair was straightened – something I didn’t do that often too, but Constance insisted on doing so. She loved my dark curls, but she was also very anxious to see them straight, so I figured that this evening I would make her expectations come true. Two and a half hours later my hair was somewhat straight – I could see the ends already curl and in a matter of time the curls will return. My hair was uncontrollable.

I made way towards the Leto’s household and spotted two unfamiliar cars – a large, black SUV and a red Ford Mustang beside it. The two expensive looking cars didn’t surprise me that much, because Culver City was the city of entertainment, there were a lot of beautiful cars on the streets, I lived in Los Angeles after all and I was very much aware of that, but it made me wonder – who were Ruby’s and Constance’s guests? So I quickened my pace and went straight into the Leto’s house.

I have been there so many times that I have lost the count, but it never ceased to amaze me how beautiful and welcoming their home was. It was nothing like my own house, quite the opposite, Ruby’s and Constance’s home was somewhat more of a modern style, something I would expect people of my age would live in, but still it had a certain charm to it and not the coldness I saw in the interior magazines. The two story house was enveloped in a beautifully, brightly decorated garden, which no doubt was Constance’s work. She had this massive talent for decorating and putting together everything that looked amazing together. The interior of their house was also quite impressive. I learned that Constance was a photographer and almost every wall in the house was decorated in her work. Some of them were of the people – family, close friends, and some of them of the world we lived in – from travelling or just a random snapshot that no one without Constance’s sight would find remarkable at first.

Photography was the language that we spoke together in. I remember that breakfast time, when Constance came over and caught me rummaging through some of the pictures I have brought to the States with me. She loved each and single one of them, even asking for the picture I was going to put in the furthest corner of the box. It was the one where I was just awoken with my curls even wilder than they were on daily base, and no makeup on. The image had a certain heavenly aura about it and it was also one of my favorite pictures where I smiled fully. But I have this one insecurity about my smile – my teeth were not perfect. I didn’t have the million dollar Hollywood smile nor were they hideous. Just a regular teeth and a fang, that stood out slightly more than others. The tooth and the smile was the reason why Constance loved the picture so much. She said that it was a perfect image of me – both personality and looks, so natural and unique. And to my surprise, it was a picture that was now hanging on the hallway’s wall in Leto’s household just above a picture with a smiling Ruby.

To say I was surprised seeing the very same picture hanging there in between all the family photos so casually would be an understatement – they have welcomed me into their lives and in their home so easily, it seemed so surreal and it made me feel accepted; I doubt I have ever felt this way before. I was touched. I felt tears building up in my eyes. No, hold yourself together! I adjusted the weight of the flowers pots in my hands and went deeper inside letting the sound of voices be my guide.

“Grandma’, I’m he – ” I rounded the corner to the kitchen and stopped in my tracks. There was Constance, Ruby and two other men I have never seen before laughing, but looked at me as I interrupted whatever they were talking about. Ruby placed her glass down on the counter and rushed over. “Finally! My dear, oh, come here, come here, I want you to meet my grandsons!” She placed her hands on my shoulders pushing me towards them.

Grandsons? I held in my breath.

I was not a shy person, or so I believed, but meeting new people? I was not ready for new people; I already had plenty of them in my life at this point! I felt blood rushing through my veins faster and the pulse in my ears growing louder.

New people, oh God, what am I going to do and what am I supposed to say? With Constance and Ruby there was no need for precaution, well, almost no need. They came into my life like a thunderstorm on a sunny day and won me over with their honesty and care. I could not help myself by becoming attached to them and eventually I opened up. There were still some things I kept to myself, but overall they knew almost everything about me.

The two grandsons were different stories, as I exhaled and looked them over. The looks they both gave me didn’t help at all so I felt my guard coming up full force. I didn’t know these people no matter who they were – people were different. We all had our unique personalities that made us stand out, but if there was a matter of opportunities and all that life gave us, well, it was just the matter of how much we were ready to accept. So all I could see in these strangers’ eyes was curiosity and precaution – I was just as strange to them as they were to me.

“This is Jared,” Ruby introduced me to the one standing closer. He had a small, playful smirk playing on his thin lips before they parted and out came a charming, deep voice, “a pleasure to meet you.” I blinked not really expecting what I just experienced, and took in his beautiful, mesmerizing blue eyes – the gorgeous gene of Letos’. “Helena,” my voice sounded more confident than I expected it to be, and man’s, no, Jared’s smirk grew wider. This man was gorgeous.

“Oh, let me get those for you!” Ruby exclaimed noticing the flower pots in my hands. I completely forgot about them and the heavy weight that they possessed – I was too distracted by Jared’s being and it wasn’t just the eyes. I passed the first pot to Ruby and smiled brightly, “happy Mother’s day, grandma’!” She took the pot from me and I saw her blue eyes twinkle. She loved it. I turned to Constance with the other pot and smiled even more. “And these are for you.” Constance gulped down her drink and her eyes widened in surprise. She placed the glass on the counter and came over, her eyes never leaving the flowers in my hands. “Oh my,” was all I heard from her as I smiled warmly. Their reaction was something more than I hoped for and it warmed my heart to see them happy.

“Thank you so much, dear, this is … so beautiful,” Ruby said holding the pot to her chest. “Oh, these will look so wonderful in the living room!” She exclaimed rushing out of the room. Constance came over and enveloped me into a hug, holding me close to her frame. “Thank you dear, thank you so very much.” She whispered in my hair kissing it and letting go, stroking my cheek, her bright blue eyes were twinkling. .

“Now, please, excuse me,” Constance said walking out of the room, pot of tulips in her hands.

“Well, that was quite impressive,” Jared said and the other man laughed after what seemed like forever – for a while there I completely forgot about forgotten about the two other people occupying the room.

Jared’s brother was nothing like Jared himself, who stood there, casually drinking the content of his glass; instead the other man was standing there with his bulky arms crossed over his broad chest, his gaze piercing through my being. “Shannon,” the man said in such a deep voice, the hair on my neck stood. I looked him over and nodded in return not really knowing what to say. Their presence, especially Shannon’s, unnerved me and I prayed to God they wouldn’t see it.

“Oh my dear children, come, let us eat!” Ruby exclaimed happily entering the kitchen. Thank God!

* * *

Mother’s day dinner at Leto’s household turned out pretty well. Ruby and Constance could not be happier with the outcome of the evening – their boys were finally home from touring, as I learned, and the tulips in the pots seemed like a perfect gift. The meal itself was something worth more than all the money in the world – the ladies have outdone themselves and not without a reason.

As my tired flesh was soaking in the hot water, my mind went back to the Leto brothers – how did they look? In all the daze of the evening I managed to forget the relevant things, only the details and certain emotions were playing in my mind.

One thing I did remember was that I couldn’t help myself but admire the way the Leto brothers talked – they were so alike and yet so different. Jared chose his words carefully to make his point crystal-clear in every single sentence that was said in his charming voice. I couldn’t help but wonder what his singing was like. Shannon on the other hand, talked with an amusement dripping from every word that came past his plump lips and he never said anything clearly; he talking with many subtexts and expected the other to catch on. He was the type of person I expected to chew a gum and talk with his mouth never closing, but instead he was collected and polite.

The conversations were polite and general – nothing that would make me feel uncomfortable, although they did ask about the country I came from and the reason I moved across the world, but nothing that would lead to awkwardness. They were intelligent and smart, and the thing they did for living broadened their mental outlook. At the end of the night I found myself quite enjoying the conversations that were held – it was always nice to meet new people with different opinions and stories to tell.

Their appearance was another thing that was alike and yet so different. While Jared was the tallest one, Shannon was most certainly the heftiest one – the jacket that he wore complimented his frame perfectly. Jared on the other hand was slimmer than his brother, but those were not an observable features – overall a person could tell that they were brothers. They had this certain aura around them and their gestures often matched and supplemented each other.

Another thing that I remembered about Shannon was his unusual eye color. I could not bring myself to remember what exactly color his eyes were, but I did recall the fact that they were not the signature mesmerizing blue color that Jared, Ruby and Constance possessed. What color were they? Oh, who cares.

I could not help and let a small smile play on my lips. I enjoyed my time in Culver City very much; each day presented many opportunities and it looked like finally things were getting better.Three weeks have passed – three full weeks of getting used to the people and the neighbourhood I now lived in. It took me two weeks to form an attachment for the Leto family. It took me a week to realize it and accept the fact that they were here to stay and that above it all I was here to stay.

Ruby and Constance came often and invited me over almost every day. It became a small habit of mine, spending my evenings with them. At one point it was terrifying to admit that in my heart they were like family to me. It was still so weird, but to be absolutely honest the feeling filled the void I had in my heart and it made me feel a little bit less lonely.

Martha was a different story – I haven’t seen her since the night she came over with a busted lip and tears streaming down her face. She left early the morning after and it made me worried. There were many times when I wanted to just stop what I was doing and go over, but I stopped every time. What was the point and was it really necessary? She plagued my mind and many nights I found myself not being able to sleep, because of the countless thoughts running through my head. Was she okay? Was she even alive? What would I do if not? Will they blame me? Will I blame myself? Maybe there was something I could do.

It all came down to a point when I was too consumed by my thoughts that I didn’t realize Constance was talking to me. She saw that something was not right and that I seemed distracted and I told her about Martha and the state she was in that evening she came over. Constance said that it wasn’t the first time Martha has been the victim of her boyfriend’s abuse and yet she never wanted to press charges against him. I asked her why haven’t anyone stepped in at which Constance shrugged and said “It’s not our place to say. There’s a lesson in every situation, she just has to learn the hard way.”

It was an unpleasant situation, but Constance’s words rang loudly through my mind – and that’s when I realized why something inside of me didn’t let me to step up and do something; it really wasn’t my place to say or do anything. Martha was a beautiful soul and my heart could not stand the abuse that she was going through, but I knew very well that if she would get out of this situation without learning her lesson, she would get herself in the same situation later on in her life. That was the way of life.

It was Mother’s day and I was invited to Leto’s household for a dinner later that evening. I didn’t know how they celebrate the day in the States, but in the country I grew up we presented our mothers flowers – usually narcissus. Since I couldn’t find any narcissus earlier in the market I figured that I would make something on my own.

Constance and Ruby absolutely loved my white tulips, so I decided to plant some of them in two matching pots and give them as gifts. So there I was in my sun-lighted kitchen, covered in soil and trying to make the flowers stay in their proper places. I painted two semi-large pots in white matching the blossoms and tied the tulips with a light green ribbon, adjusting the small bow at the center of the petioles. The composition was beautiful and neat, and I was proud of myself – I just hoped that they would love it.

* * *

It was eight in the evening when Ruby called asking when I will be coming over. She sounded so cheerful and I could hear voices in the background – guests have already arrived, which only meant one thing – I was running late. I slipped in my shoes and ran over to the kitchen picking up the two pots of flowers, making sure that the paint was dry. One last glance in the mirror and I was out the door as fast as I my heels would let me. I hated being late.

I had my little red dress one – it was a classy cloth, nothing too fancy, just a simple cotton material that hugged my curves, complimenting my frame nicely. I decided to wear the black leather heels for once since those were the only shoes that matched the look, but at that point I realized that it was the worst idea ever – a long time has passed since the last time I wore heels and my feet were already hurting like crazy.

I was more of a converse and ballerinas type of girl. There was nod doubt, every woman looked more feminine with heels on, but to me comfort always came first. And no matter how comfortable heels were, there was no comparison between shoes I was used to wearing every day and shoes that I wore occasionally.

My curly hair was straightened – something I didn’t do that often too, but Constance insisted on doing so. She loved my dark curls, but she was also very anxious to see them straight, so I figured that this evening I would make her expectations come true. Two and a half hours later my hair was somewhat straight – I could see the ends already curl and in a matter of time the curls will return. My hair was uncontrollable.

I made way towards the Leto’s household and spotted two unfamiliar cars – a large, black SUV and a red Ford Mustang beside it. The two expensive looking cars didn’t surprise me that much, because Culver City was the city of entertainment, there were a lot of beautiful cars on the streets, I lived in Los Angeles after all and I was very much aware of that, but it made me wonder – who were Ruby’s and Constance’s guests? So I quickened my pace and went straight into the Leto’s house.

I have been there so many times that I have lost the count, but it never ceased to amaze me how beautiful and welcoming their home was. It was nothing like my own house, quite the opposite, Ruby’s and Constance’s home was somewhat more of a modern style, something I would expect people of my age would live in, but still it had a certain charm to it and not the coldness I saw in the interior magazines. The two story house was enveloped in a beautifully, brightly decorated garden, which no doubt was Constance’s work. She had this massive talent for decorating and putting together everything that looked amazing together. The interior of their house was also quite impressive. I learned that Constance was a photographer and almost every wall in the house was decorated in her work. Some of them were of the people – family, close friends, and some of them of the world we lived in – from travelling or just a random snapshot that no one without Constance’s sight would find remarkable at first.

Photography was the language that we spoke together in. I remember that breakfast time, when Constance came over and caught me rummaging through some of the pictures I have brought to the States with me. She loved each and single one of them, even asking for the picture I was going to put in the furthest corner of the box. It was the one where I was just awoken with my curls even wilder than they were on daily base, and no makeup on. The image had a certain heavenly aura about it and it was also one of my favorite pictures where I smiled fully. But I have this one insecurity about my smile – my teeth were not perfect. I didn’t have the million dollar Hollywood smile nor were they hideous. Just a regular teeth and a fang, that stood out slightly more than others. The tooth and the smile was the reason why Constance loved the picture so much. She said that it was a perfect image of me – both personality and looks, so natural and unique. And to my surprise, it was a picture that was now hanging on the hallway’s wall in Leto’s household just above a picture with a smiling Ruby.

To say I was surprised seeing the very same picture hanging there in between all the family photos so casually would be an understatement – they have welcomed me into their lives and in their home so easily, it seemed so surreal and it made me feel accepted; I doubt I have ever felt this way before. I was touched. I felt tears building up in my eyes. No, hold yourself together! I adjusted the weight of the flowers pots in my hands and went deeper inside letting the sound of voices be my guide.

“Grandma’, I’m he – ” I rounded the corner to the kitchen and stopped in my tracks. There was Constance, Ruby and two other men I have never seen before laughing, but looked at me as I interrupted whatever they were talking about. Ruby placed her glass down on the counter and rushed over. “Finally! My dear, oh, come here, come here, I want you to meet my grandsons!” She placed her hands on my shoulders pushing me towards them.

Grandsons? I held in my breath.

I was not a shy person, or so I believed, but meeting new people? I was not ready for new people; I already had plenty of them in my life at this point! I felt blood rushing through my veins faster and the pulse in my ears growing louder.

New people, oh God, what am I going to do and what am I supposed to say? With Constance and Ruby there was no need for precaution, well, almost no need. They came into my life like a thunderstorm on a sunny day and won me over with their honesty and care. I could not help myself by becoming attached to them and eventually I opened up. There were still some things I kept to myself, but overall they knew almost everything about me.

The two grandsons were different stories, as I exhaled and looked them over. The looks they both gave me didn’t help at all so I felt my guard coming up full force. I didn’t know these people no matter who they were – people were different. We all had our unique personalities that made us stand out, but if there was a matter of opportunities and all that life gave us, well, it was just the matter of how much we were ready to accept. So all I could see in these strangers’ eyes was curiosity and precaution – I was just as strange to them as they were to me.

“This is Jared,” Ruby introduced me to the one standing closer. He had a small, playful smirk playing on his thin lips before they parted and out came a charming, deep voice, “a pleasure to meet you.” I blinked not really expecting what I just experienced, and took in his beautiful, mesmerizing blue eyes – the gorgeous gene of Letos’. “Helena,” my voice sounded more confident than I expected it to be, and man’s, no, Jared’s smirk grew wider. This man was gorgeous.

“Oh, let me get those for you!” Ruby exclaimed noticing the flower pots in my hands. I completely forgot about them and the heavy weight that they possessed – I was too distracted by Jared’s being and it wasn’t just the eyes. I passed the first pot to Ruby and smiled brightly, “happy Mother’s day, grandma’!” She took the pot from me and I saw her blue eyes twinkle. She loved it. I turned to Constance with the other pot and smiled even more. “And these are for you.” Constance gulped down her drink and her eyes widened in surprise. She placed the glass on the counter and came over, her eyes never leaving the flowers in my hands. “Oh my,” was all I heard from her as I smiled warmly. Their reaction was something more than I hoped for and it warmed my heart to see them happy.

“Thank you so much, dear, this is … so beautiful,” Ruby said holding the pot to her chest. “Oh, these will look so wonderful in the living room!” She exclaimed rushing out of the room. Constance came over and enveloped me into a hug, holding me close to her frame. “Thank you dear, thank you so very much.” She whispered in my hair kissing it and letting go, stroking my cheek, her bright blue eyes were twinkling. .

“Now, please, excuse me,” Constance said walking out of the room, pot of tulips in her hands.

“Well, that was quite impressive,” Jared said and the other man laughed after what seemed like forever – for a while there I completely forgot about forgotten about the two other people occupying the room.

Jared’s brother was nothing like Jared himself, who stood there, casually drinking the content of his glass; instead the other man was standing there with his bulky arms crossed over his broad chest, his gaze piercing through my being. “Shannon,” the man said in such a deep voice, the hair on my neck stood. I looked him over and nodded in return not really knowing what to say. Their presence, especially Shannon’s, unnerved me and I prayed to God they wouldn’t see it.

“Oh my dear children, come, let us eat!” Ruby exclaimed happily entering the kitchen. Thank God!

* * *

Mother’s day dinner at Leto’s household turned out pretty well. Ruby and Constance could not be happier with the outcome of the evening – their boys were finally home from touring, as I learned, and the tulips in the pots seemed like a perfect gift. The meal itself was something worth more than all the money in the world – the ladies have outdone themselves and not without a reason.

As my tired flesh was soaking in the hot water, my mind went back to the Leto brothers – how did they look? In all the daze of the evening I managed to forget the relevant things, only the details and certain emotions were playing in my mind.

One thing I did remember was that I couldn’t help myself but admire the way the Leto brothers talked – they were so alike and yet so different. Jared chose his words carefully to make his point crystal-clear in every single sentence that was said in his charming voice. I couldn’t help but wonder what his singing was like. Shannon on the other hand, talked with an amusement dripping from every word that came past his plump lips and he never said anything clearly; he talking with many subtexts and expected the other to catch on. He was the type of person I expected to chew a gum and talk with his mouth never closing, but instead he was collected and polite.

The conversations were polite and general – nothing that would make me feel uncomfortable, although they did ask about the country I came from and the reason I moved across the world, but nothing that would lead to awkwardness. They were intelligent and smart, and the thing they did for living broadened their mental outlook. At the end of the night I found myself quite enjoying the conversations that were held – it was always nice to meet new people with different opinions and stories to tell.

Their appearance was another thing that was alike and yet so different. While Jared was the tallest one, Shannon was most certainly the heftiest one – the jacket that he wore complimented his frame perfectly. Jared on the other hand was slimmer than his brother, but those were not an observable features – overall a person could tell that they were brothers. They had this certain aura around them and their gestures often matched and supplemented each other.

Another thing that I remembered about Shannon was his unusual eye color. I could not bring myself to remember what exactly color his eyes were, but I did recall the fact that they were not the signature mesmerizing blue color that Jared, Ruby and Constance possessed. What color were they? Oh, who cares.

As I was massaging my lavender shampoo in my hair, I could not help and let a small smile play on my lips. I enjoyed my time in Culver City very much; each day presented many opportunities and it looked like finally things were getting better.