Page 28 of The Last Dance

8

Not The Same

Henry

‘I really liked Ambri. She was a lot more relaxed before the whole choking incident but I’m sure that probably had her frazzled. How crazy was that? You saved her life!’ Karmen has been gushing over her since we left the restaurant.

I nod as we walk down the street. I promised Karmen I’d show her around the city today and I’m not going to break my promise just because I almost had a stroke back there seeing Ambri again. The fact that I had to save her life the moment I walked in is for some reason really upsetting to me. Not only did I hurt her when I left but I almost killed her with only my presence. All I wanted to do was talk to her.Reallytalk to her. There was no chance of that happening right then though. I can tell she hates me. I get it, but it hurts seeing it a lot more than I expected it to. She looks even better than she did before. I wasn’t prepared for seeing her again to start stirring every feeling I’ve ever had for her.

Leaving her in my past was easier when she was hundreds of miles away. Now every corner I turn is another memory of her. Another stab in the chest. Another reminder that I’m a complete fucking idiot.

‘Hello? Earth to Henry?’

‘What?’ I look to Karmen as we get to my truck.

‘I was talking to you about Ambri and you were so somewhere else.’

‘Sorry, I have work on my mind.’ I didn’t even realize she was talking, that’s how fast my head is moving.

‘You really need to let work go for the afternoon. You’re seriously gonna give yourself a heart attack with all the work worrying you do.’

I nod. No use arguing.

‘Anyway, I was saying how much I liked her.’

‘Yeah. You should. She’s great.’

‘So, what’s her story? Tell me about her.’

I open the passenger side door for her, letting her get situated before I shut it. I take a couple deep breaths as I walk around the back of the truck, preparing myself to have a conversation about Ambri. I don’t have a single bad memory of her. Talking about her should make me feel great, but instead it reminds me of what I’ve lost.

I finally get in on the driver’s side. ‘Well…’ I turn the key and the engine roars to a start, echoing off the parking garage walls the same way the thought of what just happened is echoing off the inside of my skull. ‘When I met Ambri she was telling off a guy.’ I laugh at the thought of it. ‘She pulled back from her usual spitfire self after Rory died a little – it seems to have returned, judging by today. She’s funny, caring, she adores music, and she knows all the best restaurants in town. Her friends mean everything to her. You’d never regret befriending her.’

‘How come you guys didn’t stay in touch?’

I put the truck in reverse, making my way out of the parking garage. Do I tell her? I feel like I can’t blow it off now that she’s here and about to spend time with Ambri.

‘Um, we had a fight. She was upset that I left Oregon.’ That’s the understatement of my life.

Karmen is intently watching me, sitting in wait for the rest of the story.

‘Ambri and I were friends since high school. She was my best friend for a long time. But her and I hanging out seemed to be a constant reminder of Rory. I got to a point where I needed a new life. I needed to escape the memories that were tormenting me over and over.’ I glance over at Karmen and surprisingly she doesn’t look upset by this.

‘I’m sorry, Henry. Are you OK with seeing her tonight?’

Not even a little bit. At the same time, I can’t wait to see her again. I nod. ‘I’m fine. I’m sure everything between her and I will go right back to normal soon.’ I don’t know what I was expecting when I came back. Not to have old feelings swirling through me like a wildfire, that’s for sure.

I reach over, resting my hand on top of Karmen’s thigh. I was initially attracted to Karmen because she’s the exact opposite of Ambri. Looks-wise and personality-wise, I needed her opposite. She’s very outgoing and social and I felt like those were traits that would help bring me out of the shell I was locked up in. She was great at keeping me busy, so I never really had the time to think about what I’d left behind.

‘Good. Now, let’s forget all about work and the past and go have some fun. Take me to your favorite place in the city.’

I nod.

‘Pioneer Courthouse Square.’

‘Sounds so exciting.’

We walk a few blocks from where I park to the red half-circular brick staircase surrounded by multi-level buildings and busy streets on all four sides of the entire block the place takes up. I walk up a few steps and sit down. Karmen follows me, wiping the step clear of any dirt that might smudge her skirt before sitting next to me.