Page 88 of The Leaves In Autumn
Oh no. Her eyes well with tears and make mine do the same. I reach for her hand.
“Stop. Nothing can separate us. Not really.”
“I want the best for you, Barbra. I do. But just say this won’t be permanent. Shit! I know you can’t promise it at all.”
We chuckle at the bald truth of her statement.
“I’ll promise this. If it ends up I find my happiness across the ocean, we will figure out how to come together and be part of each other’s lives. Do you think I don’t want to be baby’s favorite aunt? It won’t happen unless we spend time together.”
“I suppose you can be an Auntie Mame.”
“See? The kid can come visit when he or she is old enough. We’ll travel to fabulous places. And I can come back a couple of times a year. You can come there.”
“I suppose.”
“You’ll have access to the Paris apartment between rentals. They’re not selling that goldmine. And remember it isn’t nineteen fifty. There’s FaceTime and texting. Please be with me in this. I feel it deep in my bones. Something is waiting for me.”
“Well, shit.”
“And you are now part of a family that knows how to support each other with love. You’ll hardly miss me.”
“That’s a fucked-up thing to say.”
“It was. I didn’t mean it at all. Now quit crying in your shortcakes.”
She nods in agreement, but I know nothing I have said has eased her concerns. Does she know how much I love her? I mean really know? Leaving my only family is as hard for me as her. I know it’s necessary though. Something calls me. I feel it deep.
CHAPTER 27
Aargon
Sitting at the kitchen table, where we have so many times before, I enlist Teddy’s help.
“Hear me out. I have a few ideas for Barbra’s birthday, but maybe you can help.”
“Sure.”
“I’m thinking everything should be here. Like the one she gave me at her place. But I want an all day, or most of the day and into the night thing.”
“Ok. But be creative. Women love a guy that puts some thought into things.”
My impulse is to laugh at his How to Get a Woman lecture. But of course, I do not.
“We’re friends, so I think she’ll give me some leeway. I’m not trying to get her to love me, I just want her to leave with some good memories of our time together.”
“Uh huh. So go ahead. What’ve you got so far?”
“She has a favorite restaurant here, in Billings. I thought I could have dinner delivered. And get some good wine.”
He looks at me blankly.
“What are you going to do the other ten hours?”
“That’s what I have you for. I don’t know! I am out of practice.”
“Let me think.”
Teddy stuffs his mouth with another huge tablespoon full of Froot Loops. He looks up to the right, as if pondering the mysteries of life. Lifting the bowl to his mouth, he drinks every drop of milk. Then a burp.
