Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 3)

90. The arrival of an invitation

"Just put mine there, thanks," Can says to the waitress handing Emre a glass of scotch from where he sat on the other corner of the pool table. She places his glass on the small table next to Emre and then leaves them. He looks intently at Emre staring at his drink, tapping his thumb against the poolcue he was playing with. "Damn it Emre," he breathes in defeat and shakes his head. "What happened?" Emre stays quiet. "How did you let things get to this point?"

"Leyla made her choice and it wasn't me."

"Was she upset when she saw you? It looked like it to me."

Emre looks up then back down. "If she was she hid it well. She's smart."

"And you? I mean, we both know you didn't come there for me. Obviously you came running after hearing the news. That wasn't very smart." He picks up a piece of chalk and rubs the tip of the cue. "Was it mom? Did she tell you?" Can didn't actually need an answer to that question, so he moves on. "What did you think was going to happen if you showed up?"

"I don't know," Emre admits, lifting his shoulders and looking up. "I just...I wanted to find out how she really feels, I guess? I hoped that maybe she would say what I wanted to hear...that she wouldn't go through with it..." He scoffs and takes a long drink. "Clearly it was a mistake." He puts his glass down again and gets up to get a cue of his own. "It's over." He bends then and breaks the game, watching the balls scatter.

Can stands too, turning to Emre.
"Listen, I'm not going to keep talking about it, because you're upset, but I am going to say one more thing." Emre looks at him. "I've never seen you like this Emre," Can shrugs. "You and Leyla are obviously both very wound up over how things ended. What I want to know is why it did?"

"We're from different worlds, Can. We were never going to work out." Emre says this with about as much confidence as a deflated balloon. "It's better to realize it now, rather than later, right?" He looks at the balls again. "Leyla deserves to be happy. And so do I."

Can nods and then moves to the side to take his first shot. "Okay." He had a lot more to say but he promised not to talk about it anymore. Besides, it was too late for him to say what needed to be said anyway.

**

Laying in bed later that night, Leyla flicked her bedside lamp on and off. The light would catch her ring when it went on and she would look at it.
It was a plain golden band, but it was still pretty. There's a knock on her door and she stops playing with the light. "Come in."

Sanem peeks her head in and then steps in slowly, pressing the door closed with her back before pushing off it to walk over, her slippered feet shuffling. "So you're leaving, huh?"

Leyla tilts her head and then scoots back, making room for Sanem to climb in. She wraps her arm around her, putting her head against hers. "Are you asking because you want to take my bed?" she asks knowingly.

Sanem turns into her side and smiles. "No...I don't want it if you're not in it to cuddle me," Sanem pouts. "I also want to be angry that you're leaving me but I can't even be that."

Leyla smiles and hugs Sanem closer. "Don't worry honey bee, your turn will come soon and you won't miss me so much."

"Ah, never!" Sanem growls and scoots even closer. "I will always miss you."

"Just where do either of you think you're going?" Mevkhibe asks from the door suddenly and they look at her.

"Mom?" Sanem asks in suprise. They hadn't even heard her open the door she was so silent.

"Move over," Mevkhibe sniffs and waves her hands. "I want to get in." Sanem moves to the side a little and Mevkhibe climbs in the middle. "Move more," she groans when her arm pinches.