Page 98 of Someone For Everyone

It wasn’t wine. When the huge parcel appeared from behind the piano, she felt her eyes grow wide. ‘What on earth is that?’ she said, stunned by the size of the thing.

He carried it over and placed it carefully in front of her. ‘Open it and find out.’

Her hands began to shake as she tore away the sheets of wrapping. Beneath were layers of bubble wrap, disguising the shape. But the moment she saw the black leather casing, silver clasps and long slender neck, she knew what it was.

‘You got me a guitar?’

‘It’s that, or a tommy gun,’ Larry said, laughing.

She was almost too overwhelmed to open it. The shake in her hands didn’t let up as she released the clasps and lifted the lid. Inside was an acoustic Fender Classic, like her dad’s. Mahogany, with a darker base.

‘I hope it’s okay?’ Calvin sounded uncertain.

There were a number of things Kate avoided doing in public. Crying was definitely one of them. Shakily getting to her feet, she swallowed hard, blinking rapidly, and tried to escape the onslaught she knew was coming. ‘Excuse me a moment,’ she said, running from the room.

Ignoring his calls, she continued running. She had to. She wasn’t sure whether she was about to have a panic attack or throw up. Either way, she didn’t want an audience.

As her breaths grew shorter, her running slowed and she was dizzy by the time she’d climbed two flights of stairs to the second floor. Tears streamed down her face as she staggered down the hallway, gulping in air and feeling her chest tighten.

By the time she reached her room, she felt close to passing out.

She made it into the bathroom, before slumping against the closed door and sliding to the floor.

Closing her eyes, she rested her forehead on her arms, trying to calm her breathing.

It wasn’t long before the inevitable. A knock on the bathroom door.

She hadn’t expected anything less, even if she had hoped for longer to compose herself.

‘Kate? Are you okay?’ He sounded distraught, and she couldn’t blame him.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she managed to say. ‘I just wasn’t expecting that.’

‘Was it too much? It was too much, wasn’t it? Oh, God, Kate, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done.’

‘It’s fine, really.’ She wiped at her eyes, feeling foolish.

‘It’s not fine. Are you having a panic attack?’

‘I don’t think so.’

‘Are you sure? Can I come in?’

‘Just give me a moment.’

‘Okay, but I’m not leaving. I’m staying right here.’

She rested her head against the door and closed her eyes, her mind tumbling with an array of thoughts and images, flickering in and out. Photos of her dad playing his guitar. Her learning to play it as a child. The grief and anger she’d felt when Tristan had sold it.

All the loss she’d experienced over the last few years came tumbling back, unleashed and raw, triggered by an act of kindness. A man who had only been in her life a short time, but who had shown her endless support and friendship, and had cared enough to buy her a replacement guitar, knowing how much it would mean to her.

‘I’m sorry I ran off,’ she said, knowing she owed him an explanation. ‘Please don’t think it’s because I don’t love the gift, I do. It’s just…’ She hesitated, but there was no avoiding the truth. ‘You see… well, it’s just that my dad took his own life.’

A deathly silence followed. She could almost feel the weight of it seeping through the closed door. When he did speak, his voice was barely a whisper. ‘Shit. I’m so sorry, Kate.’

‘It’s okay, you didn’t know. How could you? I never told you.’

More silence followed. She could almost imagine his mind whirring as he took in the enormity of what she’d said. ‘I should’ve realised getting a guitar would remind you of your dad. It was thoughtless of me.’

---