Time gone by

Friendships

We spent the whole afternoon just sat there playing with the puppies and talking. He was so sweet, asking to hear stories of Eric, I thought he would be bored but he was smiling the whole time. Before we knew it, it was 6pm and neither one of us had eaten anything so we decided to head to a small cafe down the block and grab something to eat. When we got there, we got a table in the back. Hopefully to stop anyone noticing Chris.
We ordered burgers, fries and milkshakes.
"I'm surprised you didn't order something healthier, don't they normally have you guys on a strict diet before filming?"
"Normally but I'm in pretty good shape and it's only one meal, it's not going to harm me"
"God I wish I could eat like you and look like that"
He laughed and shook his head "trust me this is a whole lot of training"
"Yeah, I bet you just look absolutely disgusting any other time" I said with extreme sarcasm.
Again he laughed his signature laugh "oh definitely, such a disappointment under these clothes"
We keep talking and laughing until we have finished our food and we then we head out. We argued over the bill but ended up paying half each.
"So where you headed now?"
"I was going to go home and probably drink and cry over some photos of Eric you?"
"Nope! No crying! I'm sure he wouldn't want that for you. Your coming to my apartment"
"I am?"
"Yes you are. Come on"
We walked to our cars and I followed him to his apartment. It was a lovely place. Very spacious and very big, far to big for just him.
"This place is huge"
"Yeah, it's just a rental. I don't own a property here in New York. I'm never here long enough"
"Understandable"
"My agent tends to find me these places, it's nice and will do until I leave"
"When are you leaving?"
"A couple of weeks, going back home to Boston to spend some time with the family and then heading to Atlanta"
"You've got a big family right?"
"Yeah, two sister, one brother, a niece and 2 nephews. I love it"
"Sounds pretty cool"
"What about you? Family?"
"Back In England, my mum and my little sister live together and then I have 2 older brothers both married with 2 kids each and an older sister also married with 3 kids. 4 girls and 3 boys. So a big family but I don't really get to see them much. Tickets aren't cheap to England, so it makes it difficult"
"Wow there is a lot of you. That must suck"
"It does, my mum came to stay with me for a while when Eric died but obviously she couldn't stay forever. She tried to convince to move back to England but New York is my home and I just couldn't leave"
"She must miss you"
"Tells me everyday that she does"
"What about your dad?"
"Oh....he erm....he died when I was 16, car accident believe it or not"
"I'm so sorry"
"It's okay"
Chris makes us some drinks and we head on into the lounge "want to watch a movie?"
"Yeah go on then"
"Want do you want to watch?"
"Don't know you pick"
"Okay let me have a look"
He takes his time looking through is huge aray of DVDs and then stops and pulls one out. He pops it into his DVD player and sits down beside me.
As soon as the film starts I know exactly what it is, it's one of my favourites the little mermaid.
"Omg I love this film"
"No way! Me too"
We sit comfortable and watch the entire movie, I can feel myself getting tired and before I know it I'm curled in a ball and getting comfy on his couch. I don't know if I actually fall asleep or not but my phone startled me. As I look I can see it's Seb ringing me
"Hey Seb"
"Hey Abbie, how are you?"
"I'm good. You?"
"Good. I'm outside your place but there is no answer you out?"
"Yeah, I'm actually at Chris's house"
"Oh right"
"Yeah we spent the afternoon together and just decided to watch a movie."
Chris comes walking back into the living room
And mouth to him that's it's Seb on the phone.
"Okay then well I'm going to leave you too it and I'll speak to you tomorrow"
"Wait Seb....."
Before I can finish he hangs up on me
"What was that about?"
"No idea, it's getting late maybe I should head home"
"Well it's raining pretty badly out there so if you want to stay your more then welcome, I have a spare room you can crash in"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah it's not a problem. You have work tomorrow right?"
"Yeah but not until 10am so I have plenty of time to get home and change"
"Okay then, I'll show the spare room"
"Thank you Chris"
"Just repaying the favour"
"No I mean thank you for today. It's been nice to talk about Eric and to spend the day smiling instead of crying"
"Anytime. I'll just go get you some pjs of mine to sleep in"
"Okay"
He walks out to his room and comes back about 5 minutes later
"These okay?"
"Perfect"
"Okay well help your self to the kitchen and I'll see you in the morning"
"Yes you will and thank you again"
"It's not a problem Abbie. Goodnight"
"Goodnight Chris"

I get into bed and as soon as my head hits the pillow I'm pulled into a peaceful sleep. I haven't slept this well since Eric died.
I liked celebrating Eric today, talking about him, remembering him and that's all thanks to Chris. I think I'm going to enjoy having him as a friend.