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Chapter 7 - Forward
Ruby
He didn’t look back.
Turn around. Please, please, please.
I stood in the cold and watched him leave, praying that this time, he’d turn around, that we’d find a way, but he didn’t look back. Then I watched him leave again, over and over, in my mind.
I sat in my car, and I cried, just as I had the last time. If possible, it hurt worse this time. The last time, I did not understand the full extent of my loss. This time I knew.
My tears slowed. I caught my breath and checked my appearance in the rear-view mirror. There was no way I’d get past my yiayia with my stricken face, swollen eyes, and reddened nose. I had thought to pass off my mood as stress from being away from home, but Yiayia was much too smart for that.
I knew she was at Spuds preparing the produce for the day. I told her I’d be there in time to do it, but she insisted and had Amber drive her in. At least, I didn’t have to face her right away.
I made it home in record time and jumped back into the shower, hoping to wash away the evidence of my anguish. I closed my eyes and turned my face to the spray. Behind my closed lids I saw Vander’s retreating form and the tears began anew.
I scrubbed hard at my face.
It might not be like last time.
He may have business here all the time!
You’ll see him again.
Maybe even soon.
It won’t be like last time.
You’re older, he’s older, you both know what you want.
He’ll call.
You’ll work it out.
It’ll take time, but with the promise of him at the end, it’ll be worth the wait.
I walked into Spuds, hoping Yiayia would be distracted by whatever Elisavet had filled her ears with that morning.
“Hi, Yiayia!”
“Ela, poulaki-mou! Ti kaneis? How was, koukla?”
“I saw Vander.” What? Damn my bucket mouth.
Yiayia stopped chopping the vegetables and focused all the powers of her concentration on me, pinning me like a butterfly to a board. “Aw, poulaki-mou. It was good, but it was bad, yes?”
I drew in a shuddering breath and moved to help her with the lunch prep. Working side-by-side, talking through life, with Yiayia, comforted me. “Yes, Yiayia. Good and bad.”
“You love him still, poulaki-mou?” She asked softly, turning her attention back to her work.
“I do, Yiayia. I don’t think I’ll ever love another,” I admitted.
She stopped and I heard her sigh. “I think you must go to him, poulaki.”
“I can’t, Yiayia.” I couldn’t leave her.
“Amber is here, koukla. I am healthy, and I want for you to have your great love like I had my great love!”
