Aperture

Chapter 11

When I landed I pulled out my phone and saw I had four missed calls. Two voicemails and too many text messages to count. I had a call from Aaron and one from River. I ignored them all, put it back in my pocket and headed home. When I walked in the door I saw Aaron in the living room on the couch. She jumps up and runs to me.

" What the hell happened?" she yells " Bridge called me upset and then Rivers. Which would normally be exciting but not in this way. What happened? Why did you leave? Did you fight? Did he relapse?"

" No" I tell her not wanting to talk about it or even explain anything. " I just left him."

" But why? You love him." she says

I feel the tears start coming down my cheeks again. " When you love someone or something, sometimes setting them free is best." I walk past her and walk to my room. I throw all my bags on the floor and take my jacket off and shoes crawl into bed and cover my face.

I cried myself to sleep and left for a whole day. I feel the strain in my body. I feel the puffiness in my eyes.

" Ronnie?" I hear Aaron say " I have River on the phone. Will you talk to him?" I roll over and go back to sleep.

****

"Ronnie?" I hear again " I have Bridge on the phone. Will you please talk to him?" I hear the hurt in her voice too. " He loves you Ronnie, please explain what happened."

I roll over and fall back to sleep.

****

" Ronnie? It's been three days. Can you please eat or drink something?" I hear Jesse say " Or maybe a shower?"

I cover my head and hear the door shut.

I know I need to get up and I know I have my job to do. After I think everything over I climb out of bed and take all my clothes off and get in the shower. I lay my head on the wall. Let all the water run over my body. I smell the soap as I scrub my skin and my hair. I know I have a trip soon and I just need to get through these three shoots and I can wallo on the beach. I threw a sweatshirt on and a pair of jeans. I put my white shoes on and head to my office.

Aaron and Jesse are talking in the kitchen. I can see from the hallway. I look at them and open my office door. I pack my bag and get all my cameras. I put them on my back and head for the door. Jesse's face looks so concerned and I can tell Aaron has been crying too. I feel bad that she has been my answering machine for three days.

" I have a job at my other place. I'll be back at two." I say

"Wait!" Jesse says " What is happening? We need to know so we know what to do too."

" You don't need to know anything right now." I say " I'll be home later. I am not ready Aaron. I am so sorry. But I'm not ready. I can't right now because I have to pull myself together to not cry through this shoot. I put my headphones on and turn on some Journey. I put my hood up and close the door.

****

1 month later

I was packing for Florida and I heard a knock on the door. Aaron stands there with folded arms. I have yet to talk to her about anything that happened. However she starts talking to River out of this and she is really getting serious with him. I still feel bad not explaining anything so I stop packing and she is still looking at me.

" Are you going to ask again?" i say

" Nope, I have really gotten tired of asking. I know something happened but no one who was there knows." he says looking like a mom scolding her child. " I really need you to explain to me why you walked out, got on a plane and came home Ronnie."