Wow. That’s the biggest brush off line I have ever heard. What’s he going to say next, “It’s not you, it’s me.” I can’t believe that he doesn’t want me around. Why did he even bother in New York if that was the case?
“Just say you don’t want to see me anymore Henrik, instead of these little mind games you keep playing. I am getting really tired of being pulled in all different directions by you. I was fine in New York until you showed up. I may not have been happy, but I was getting over you. Why did you even follow me if you were so busy?”
“It’s not that Morgana. Please believe me. I just…” He stops talking and there is a muffled sound. I hear someone in the background. A female voice.
“Just give me a minute. I’ll be right there…” His voice is distant as though he has the phone pulled away from his face.
“All right, but don’t be too long. I’m looking forward to sinking my teeth into this…” The woman’s voice trails off.
“Morgana?” He gets back to the phone, his voice crisp and present.
“I get it Henrik. No need to explain. God, I’m an idiot. I know you’re busy so I’ll say goodbye. I have to get back to the party; my mom is probably about to serve dinner. I called to find out why you didn’t come and other things as well, but I understand now. Um, thanks for uh…helping me learn about the company Henrik. You taught me a lot, and I don’t think I would have been half as good in the Executive Development Program if it wasn’t for you. Just wanted to let you know that. I’ll say goodbye now.”
I take the phone away from my face, a soft sob consuming me. I can hear Henrik calling my name just as I press the end button on the phone. I can’t take my eyes off the screen, still brightly lit with various colored apps.
“I love you,” I whisper before sitting on the sidewalk, my legs turning to jelly.
Letting the cry overtake me, I curse myself for constantly going back to him. The moment he smiles, touches me, or calls my name, I run into his arms as if nothing ever happened. God, I’m a fool.
I guess New York was his crazy way of saying goodbye to me. Letting me know he cared but ultimately walked away from me in the end. My breathing stammers as I accept his logic, however selfish it may be. He did tell me he was selfish. I guess I am finally realizing how much.
After a few minutes, I finally get up and make my way back to the party. Ready to be rid of the phone that delivered the bad news, so that I can truly begin to move on.
Chapter 5
Morgana's Problem: Slut Hands
It’s the day after my parent’s welcome home party for me, and Aria and I are walking north along the bike trail along Lake Michigan as it meanders away from the beach toward the park.
It's a perfect early June day, just warm enough with a slight breeze coming off the lake, and every person in Chicago is hanging out on the beach.
“So, you haven’t spoken to Henrik at all since the incident?”
Aria now calls what happened in the restaurant bathroom in New York, the incident. I have too many incidents with Henrik so I get confused.
“Which one?”
Aria leans in to whisper as if everyone around us will know what she is talking about, “You know, in New York when I got him thrown out.”
I haven’t told her I talked to Henrik on the phone yesterday. She seemed happy with Alexander, introducing him to my family. Everyone was happy; I didn’t want to ruin it for them. Aria spent the night with Alexander, so I was left alone with my thoughts of Henrik, while I battled for sleep. I didn’t win.
I’m tired and don’t feel much like having this conversation.
“Oh...yeah, no. I guess everything is over. Perhaps it was his way of saying goodbye.”
“That’s horse shit, pardon my Italian. Perhaps now that you’re back, you can go to his place and talk to him."
I nod to appease her, but I was actually planning to drown my sorrows at Got Cake. I missed that bakery while in New York. Don’t get me wrong, New York had some amazing bakeries, but Got Cake is like home to me.
It's getting close to lunchtime and I hear Aria's stomach rumble so we take a left and cross under Lake Shore Drive, past the marina, and into the neighborhood of Lakeview. We find a little sandwich shop and head in for some lunch.
Once we finish our meal, I head back outside while Aria finishes paying the bill. As I wait for her on the sidewalk, I glance across the street and see him. Henrik is in dark gray suit pants, a light gray shirt, and red tie. He has his sleeves casually rolled up and I notice his ink trailing down his arm. His hair is a bit tousled and he looks so good. I'm ready to call out his name when I notice a cute blonde exit the 7-Eleven store and sluttily touch his arm.