The Captain's Armband

39. The Phone Call

Vic and I are still sitting on the couch, music from the speakers, talking about life.
"I should really go home."
"You can sleep here if you want." I offer her.
"I don't think that's such a good idea."
"Why not?"
She looks at me and raises one eyebrow. "The last time I stayed over we did a lot of things but sleep wasn't one of them."
I get a nervous laugh. "Doesn't mean it will happen again."
"I know but I think it's best I just go home." She says with a soft smile on her face.
"Okay mate."
She gets up and walks towards the front door. "See you tomorrow mate." She says as she gives me a kiss on my cheek.
"See you tomorrow, thanks for today, you've got no idea how much it means that you're here."
She smiles at me and walks to her car. I wave and close the door. I clean up the last things and walk upstairs. I open my bedroom door and I get a flashback of Leah, how she unbuttoned her blouse, and the way she smiles at me. I shake away the thoughts, it hurts to think about those moments.
I hear my phone ringing. I look at my screen and I see Leah's name. What. Is this real? I start to panic.
I take a deep breath and accept the call. I put my phone to my ear.
"This is Dani." I say, as if she didn't know she is calling me.
"I just.. I..." A short silence follows. I hear a sigh coming from the other side.
"Leah.... Hi." I say softly.
I can hear her sobbing a little.
"Are you okay?" I ask her.
"Yes. No. Fuck! Dani, I'm so angry with you but I miss you so much. I couldn't spend my last 24 hours without you."
"Your last 24 hours? Leah? What's going on?"
"No. Not for real. It was a question and it made me realize that...." She sighs again.
I don't really understand what she is rambling about but I'm happy to hear from her.
"I'm not entirely sure what you are talking about but it's great to hear your voice."
"We should talk. I don't know when, I don't know how but all I know is that we should." Leah says, completely ignoring my words.
"Okay. I want to talk to you, I want to explain everything to you. I'm open to anything, just say what you want and I'll make it happen."
"I don't know. I just felt like I should tell you that I wanted to talk to you, I haven't really thought this through." She says with a soft voice.
"It's okay. We will find a way to talk, just let me know when you have time and I will take care of the rest."
"Ok. I will text you when I'm back home."
"Please do, I will be waiting."
"Ok. Well, bye." She says a bit awkward, which is making me giggle a little bit.
"Thank you for calling."
She hangs up the phone. I'm still standing in the same spot, what the hell just happened?
I jump onto my bed and lie down, I put my hands behind my head and I stare at the ceiling. I have to do this right, I've got one shot at this. I smile and I want to cry at the same time, it was so good to hear her voice, even if it was angry and sad. I still don't understand what she was rambling about but my guess is that they, the squad at camp, played some kind of game. My mind is racing, I want to see her as soon as possible, it even crossed my mind to rush to the airport right now. I take a deep breath, and somehow I feel relieved, nothing has been said yet but I feel like I have a fair chance to explain everything and let her know that none of this is her, or Russo's, fault. I close my eyes and I fantasize about seeing her again, looking her into her beautiful eyes, god, I would give anything to fix my mistake. How could I have been so fucking stupid? I turn to my side and fall asleep.

The next morning I wake up before my alarm goes off, I feel rested and relaxed, hearing from Leah did more than she would ever understand. I get up and start my morning routine. I walk downstairs and I see my dad standing next to the coffee machine.
"Morning Dad." I say with a smile.
"Morning honey, how did you sleep?"
"I've slept well." I smile at him.
"Nervous about the results today?"
I shrug my shoulders. "There isn't anything I could do to change the outcome."
He nods his head. "True. Have you called Julie yet?"
Shit. I totally forgot. "No."
"Dani! She has been waiting for you to call her, she was so worried about you."
"Sorry, I will call her today."
He walks up to me and gives me a kiss on my forehead. "Call me with the results okay?"
"I will Dad."
He walks out the door and I can hear him greeting someone on his way out. I look around the corner and I see Vic entering.
"Good morning, you look rested." She says as she sees me.
"Morning mate, I feel rested. I heard from Leah last night."
"Ah, that explains a lot. What did she say?"
"She called me. I was so confused. She started rambling about not wanting to spend her last 24 hours without me and how she was angry with me AND that she misses me." I say with a smile on my face.
"I'm happy for you mate."
"But?"
"It sounds like she was a bit of a mess when she called. Don't get your hopes up too high."
I stare at her. Is she right?
"Sorry mate, I'm not trying to kill your vibe, I just want you to prepare that the outcome of this isn't what you want it to be."
And there I am, back with both feet on the ground.
"But!" Vic continues. "She did say that she misses you."
I nod and smile. "She did."
"I can see this twinkle in your eyes. You are really in love with this girl, aren't you?"
I can feel my cheeks blushing. "Yes, I am. She is extraordinary and I've never met anyone like her."
Vic is staring me into my eyes. "Well mate, you should fight for her, go for it, all the way. I'll be here to pick you up if things don't go as planned."
I walk up to her and give her a hug. "I know you will."
"So, what's your next step?"
"I don't know. She said she would text me when she got back home."
"I'll keep my fingers crossed, now get your things we should really get going."
I nod and grab my bag and my coffee to go.