God has heaven.
The Devil has hell.
And in the middle, walking the earth is Witches.
Magical beings, they strive to protect their coven and guard over their sisters, they hide their powers so they may be able to blend quietly within society; but th...
I inhale the soup like a savage while they talk amongst themselves. Once I've finished Lola takes me by my hand leading me away eagerly to give me the royal tour.
This is a Victorian three storey house, the decor is a mix match of colour and textures, nothing matches but some how every thing fits, it's almost like your inside a rainbow.
Lola informs me there is five bedrooms including the attic. everyone has to share but Miss Toulouse, she has converted the attic in to her bedroom and personal retreat. Everyone is welcome to come and go as they please, the only rules are; you pull your weight around the home and be respectful of each other.
In every room, corridor and possibly spare space there are plants of every kind, Lola informs me that if it's a healthy atmosphere for plants to grow, it's a healthy space for humans to heal and flourish. This place in all sense, is almost like a foster home for adults but unlike the many foster homes I've frequented there is no sense of loneliness or fear creeping out at you or the overwhelming feeling of suffocation for not belonging.
From room to room there is cheerful chatter, laughter that comes from the many lost, forgotten women that reside here, they all acknowledge me with either a smile, a little knowing nod or a cheerful hello. It's like a small community of broken souls, all of them here to heal themselves and help others.
Lola informs me at the moment they have seven other residents not including us, she sees my surprised reaction at the high amount "Miss Toulouse never turns anyone away, even if we have to make up beds on the floor or sleep on the couch".
She chirps up how from time to time past residence will come back to check in and see Miss Toulouse "this for some is the only home or family they've ever known".
"Does Ally live here?".
Lola shakes her head "she doesn't live here but she might as well, she's here everyday, I think at the end of the day she likes her own space".
The tour has come to an end as we stand outside Lola's bedroom, Lola is beyond giggly at the prospect of showing me our room. The door is dramatically swung open by Lola as she does an over the top game show host jazz hands and squealing "Ta daaa .....our room".
Once I'm inside I feel like I'm possibly having a sensory overload; there is glitter and sparkle everywhere, at least 101 scented candles and the walls are painted in every bright colour you can think of it - it's like I've walked into a migraine.
"It's too much, I know... we can change it".
I gulp not really knowing how to describe what I'm seeing "no, no it's ...interesting".
Lola laughs which instantly calms my nerves "in my old life I wasn't allowed to be me, so when I was finally free, when I came here, I wanted to make sure that I wake, sleep and live every day as authentically as I can. I never want to hide my sparkle ever again".
A sadness for a second washes over Lola's beautiful face, I see it in Lola eyes, like a cold darkness, as if the past was cruelly pulling Lola back to a place that wasn't safe. I know pain and it's etched on Lola face, I break the moment to bring Lola back "Well I love it, maybe I need some sparkle in my life".
"Ohh kid, you'll have it daily now we are roomies" she claps ecstatically "now this is your bed but if you don't like it we can swap". There is two single beds with a little bedside unit between them with a lamp on it, that looks like a giant pink flamingo.
I shrug "that bed will be perfect, any bed is great when you've spent last weeks sleeping on the street".
Lola pulls me over to the dresser telling me how the two top drawers are mine and how we will share the wardrobe and I'm welcome to borrow anything I like, I notice Lola's clothes are a lot like Lola; loud, over the top, colourful and brings a smile to your face when you see them.
"You must be everyone's favourite person to share a room with" I exclaim as I gently admire all of Lola clothes inside the wardrobe.
"Actually your my first room mate...." Lola awkwardly fidgets "because of what some of the women have been through, before they came here, it was always thought they might find it hard sharing the room with me because I was born...".
I know what Lola is going to say "male" I cut Lola short to save the pain of uttering those words "because you was born ...fabulous, I can see that would be intimidating to other people but I like it".
Lola's eyes mist over, in that moment Lola knows I know and I don't care, why would I? I've spent my life being harshly judged for a mark on my face, I know the cruelty of people and their inability to see past the shell of the body and to the soul.
"Of course everyone loves me" Lola loudly squeals trying to pull back the tears and honest emotion that is slipping in "what's there not to love".
That night for the first time in a long time, I slept in a bed with clean sheets, duvet, in soft fluffy pjs and with a full belly, knowing I was safe - feeling like I was in a home.
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