Page 79 of We'll Meet Again

“His truck,” Betty chuckled. “This vintage Chevy he found for sale on a farm when he was sixteen. He was so dedicated to that thing he learned how to fix it up all on his own. And I don’t know what he did, but it drives like a dream to this day. All because he put in the hard work and showed it some love. That’s the kind of person he is.”

Billie smiled softly. She could easily picture teenage Ethan, working tirelessly in a garage after practice, purely for the love of the vehicle. Putting his blood, sweat, and tears into learning every part of it. Ethan, steadfast and dedicated as always.

“He is wonderful,” she said. “And come to think of it, I think I’ve seen a photo of him in a truck. Is it yellow?”

“Yes!”

“I have seen it then. He actually named it?”

Betty heaved a sigh. “He did.”

“Lula Mae?”

“Afraid so.”

“Oh God, I fancy an absolute wanker.”

Betty threw her head back and laughed. “I hope you tell him that. Keep him humble.”

Billie giggled. “Believe me, the second I get the opportunity I’m taking the absolute piss out of him.”

“Atta girl.”

As the players finished warm ups and retreated into the locker room, Billie found Ethan quickly; he was clapping Osahar and Hector on their shoulders as they made their way across the pitch. Her lips turned up at the smile on his face. If he was nervous about the match, it didn’t show in the least. She wondered now, based on what Betty said, if he always held it together for his teammates. Turning her head, she caught Betty gazing at her.

“You really care for him, huh?” she said.

“I really do,” Billie assured her. Even if she wasn’t ready to drop the “L” bomb - it was too risky right now and she wasn’t sure her heart could take it if things didn’t work out - she knew what she felt for Ethan was meaningful. It always made her chest feel warm and tender. And she wanted to assure his family that she didn't take it lightly. “In fact, it often feels…a bit otherworldly.”

Betty raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

Billie took a deep breath. But if all Ethan had said about Betty was true, then she probably wouldn’t judge. Even so, it felt crazy to admit out loud.

“Sometimes,” Billie said. “Around Ethan, I get these…visions.”

“Visions?”

“Yes. They’re not crystal clear - well, snippets of them are - but they’re more like when you’ve just woken up and are trying to remember a dream.”

Betty crossed one leg over the other thoughtfully. “Give me an example.”

“Well, when I took him dancing, there was a moment I felt like I saw us somewhere else. In a dance hall with old-timey jazz playing. And he was wearing suspenders, I remember that. It was only for a second, but they’re all so fleeting, I can’t get a grip on them.”

“Have you ever had dreams that you couldn’t explain?”

Billie blinked. “I…yes, I have.”

“Tell me about them.”

“I have one where I get a letter with what must be something horrible on it, because I fall to my knees and start sobbing,” Billie blurted out. “Or, at least I used to have that dream. I haven’t had it since I met Ethan. And yet…I can’t shake the feeling that it’s still coming for me. For us. This horrible loss and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.”

Betty drummed her fingers over her chin, looking pensive. “That’s unusual.”

Billie thought that was rather an understatement. Like calling a giraffe “quite tall.” But she waited for Betty to go on.

“You and Ethan have had such an effect on one another,” Betty said. “He told me he’s been having a similar experience since he met you.”

“Has he, really?”

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