We embrace one last time before I head over to the gate and hand over my ticket and passport. I turn and look back at her, even with the distance between us I can see she’s fighting to hold her emotions back.
God, I’m going to miss her.
“Have a safe flight, Miss Valdez.”
With a heavy heart I wave goodbye to not only my best friend and the great times we shared together, but the last two and a half years of my life.
It’s sad, but like the pitiful fool I am my eyes sweep across the airport in search of him. A part of me hoping he would show up to talk me out of leaving, but how could he, when I put a block on all and every possible means of communication with him. It’s over, even if my heart doesn’t want to accept it. Even if the ache in my chest intensifies with the very thought of never seeing him again.
My life isn’t a cheesy romcom movie and I’m certainly not the girl that gets her happily ever after.
More like happily never after.
* * *
Ten hoursand a lot of procrastinating later I’m finally standing at the front door of my childhood home. I stare at the bright red door, my hands tremble as I lift it to push the doorbell. It’s almost midnight and all the lights are off which is about right considering they both go to bed at ten. I didn’t have the courage to tell my Grammy and Aunt Dani that I’m coming back. I couldn’t break the news to them over the phone. God, I can just taste the disappointment that will be emitting from my Grammy when I tell her what a mess I’ve made of my life.
The front door suddenly opens, startling me while I’m lost deep in thought. My aunt is standing at the door clad in her ivory satin Pyjamas and bright pink curlers on her head looking bewildered.
“Rein?”
“Hi, Aunt Dani. I’m back.”