From The Very Beginning

Chapter Eight, Trails

The next morning I woke up and went into the kitchen for coffee.

"Son, what did you do?"

I turned to see my Dad standing in the doorway.

"What do you mean?"

My Dad shook his head disapprovingly.

"What I mean, is that this morning I woke up to Cami packing her new clothes in her bag and heading out the door. She said something about not being wanted here. Now don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about because I know you had something to do with this."

I put the coffee pot down and sat down on a stool, my Dad sat beside me waiting for me to talk.

"I didn't think she'd move out...but last night she told me she loved me, and I lied and said no. I don't really know why all I can say is my brain was trying to protect my heart. You don't have to tell me I messed up, I know I did. But how do I fix it? And I'm not just talking about now I'm talking about all those years ago when I drove her away. All the way to New York."

My Dad cleared his throat.

"Well Son, a start would be telling the girl how ya fill. Then allow her time to compose it and then ask her to move back in. And from there on I'd say try and be a good boyfriend and maybe future husband."

I stared back at my Dad.

He was right, I mean he was married to my Mom for 38 years.

"Thanks Dad. Any idea where she went?"

My Dad smiled.

"I have no idea, but I'd assume you know if you just think about it, you'll probably figure it out."

He winked and walked out of the kitchen with his coffee.

What was my Dad up to?

I stared out the window trying to come up with somewhere she might go.

"Oh."

I raced into the living room, grabbed my keys and threw on my shoes.

"Bye Dad, I'll be back soon."

I didn't turn around to see his face, I just took off.

I raced to my motorcycle and threw on my helmet.

I sped off as fast as I could go.

First going slowly in the neighborhood then speeding up once I got to the back roads.

I finally made my destination.

The walking trails.

She used to come here when she'd be upset or stressed out.

I walked for ten-fifteen minutes.

I was about to give up, when I heard crying coming from behind one of the trees.

I walked over closer to it, and saw a bunch of bags laying spread out around the tree.

"Camilla..."

She turned her head up and looked at me, with teary stained eyes.

"What Zane?"

I sat down beside her and reached for her hand, she moved away quickly though.

"What?"

I cleared my throat.

"Can I please just get something off my chest?"

I thought for a second she was going to let me say what I needed to, but instead she grabbed her stuff and took off behind the bushes and on to another trail.

I didn't attempt to follow her, I understood she needed her space.

I stayed there for a minute partly because I was hoping she'd come back, and partly because I finally understood now that I had been blaming everything on her since we broke up.

But that wasn't true, I stood and walked back to my bike I climbed on and drove aimlessly around town till I made my destination.