can't say NO to this

A Last Goodbye

I spent the rest of Saturday packing and finishing up my work. I thought about texting him but couldn't think of what to say. That note felt pretty final. I slept fitfully that night, waking several times, thinking I heard his voice. There was no text messages, no pounding on my door. The silence seemed to be closing in on me.

I wasn't surprised though when Maria called me early the next morning.
"Hey, Claire," she said when I answered, "Bob said you didn't call him yesterday. I just wanted to see if you were okay? "

"I just wanted to be alone. I am fine Maria."

"No, I can tell by your voice. You ended it with your friend? "

"I guess so."

"What happened Claire?"

"We were together Friday night and he was gone when I woke up. He left a note that said.. "

I ended up reading her the note. She was quiet and I could hear sadness in her voice when she spoke, "He is married love. He wouldn't have left if he wasn't."

"Maria, I knew he was married. Happily by reports. "

"By reports? Fuck, Claire, he is a celebrity? Isn't he? Fuck girl. You can't be in a scandal."

"No one knows that better than I Maria. Our company is too public. I made sure not to tell him who I was. He isn't in business, I don't think he knows."

"So, will you tell me who he is," she finally asked.

"You couldn't tell by the end of the note," I murmured.

"I just want to hear you say it. "

"I won't say his name out loud Maria. He was my crazy genius."

I looked at my watch, "I asked for the car to take me to the airport. I have to let you go."

"We will talk more when you get home."

I hung up, grabbed my bags and left the hotel. My flight didn't leave until the afternoon, but I needed to get out of that room. When I was settled in the car, the driver asked if I wanted to make any stops. I found myself asking to go to The Drama Bookshop. I told myself it was for one more latte, but I knew I was hoping for one last glance at those brown eyes.

The car pulled up to the curb in front. "I will wait for as long as you need me too Ms Beall," the driver said looking at me through the rear view mirror.

My eyes grew wide when he said my last name. Most people didn't call me by my father's name. I had grown up using my mother's name, but Kinder was almost as bad. Recognizable names that I didn't like. I thanked him and got out. I stepped inside and looked around. Still looked the same. I walked up to the coffee counter. Nancy turned around and smiled at me.

"Hello again," she said.

"Last time, "I said," leaving for the airport, but I had to have a... "

"Matcha Lavender Latte," she said, "the big one again?"

"Yes please," I said pulling out my money.

Nancy rang up the sale, "Have a seat. It will be a moment."

"Thank you Nancy. "