Just One

Chapters 9 and 10

Chapter – 9 ANNA: "The greater the involvement, the greater the suffering."

Nick and Pri are leaving for New York tonight. Since Mrs. Nadine will be home alone for the week, I suggested to my mom that she arrange a coffee with her. I invited her to join us for lunch on Thursday, but she already had plans to have lunch at her brother's house in Fort Lauderdale.

Thinking about the longing I am already feeling, I decide to call and say goodbye one more time. "Hello, Nick?"

"Hey Anna, you read my mind. I was just about to call you because I want to see you before my mom takes me to the airport."

"Jeez, Nick, I was calling for that exact reason. Can I come over? My mom let me take the car." "Sure, I'm waiting for you. Take Care," Nick replies.

As soon as I arrive at Nick's house, I ring the doorbell, and he comes to answer me, all dressed up, wearing light skinny jeans and a sky-blue T-shirt that highlights his eyes. As always, he's wearing a pleasant perfume. I joke wryly: "Wow, all dressed up. Are you happy because you'll be spending the whole week in your favorite city?"

Nick hugs me and leads me towards his room, confessing in a low tone: "Honestly, I'd rather stay here. I love New York, but today my life and interests are here. I didn't want to leave my mother alone, although on Wednesday she's going to my Uncle Ned's and staying until Saturday."

I try to comfort him, saying: "My mom will call her tomorrow and arrange that coffee meeting between the two of them, so don't worry. Have fun, enjoy your time with your dad, meet up with your friends, and take a walk in Central Park for me. I love that place."

Nick gently touches my chin and says: "We'll still take many walks together in Central Park; you can be sure of that. I miss you already, can you believe it?

His gaze is so deep that it makes my skin crawl. He goes on to say: "I know Zack is coming tomorrow, but I'll call you every day, and you better answer me. If you don't answer, I'll send Zack a message to peek at your cell phone. Hahaha."

Of course, I'll get back to you, Nick, unless you call me at the wrong time... hahaha", I tease him.

Nick pretends to look angry and replies: "I don't care. Stop what you're doing and answer me." He laughs right after.

While he finishes packing, I'm sitting on a black pouf in one corner of the room, just watching. Priscila enters the room and sits on my lap, trying to find a spot on the puff to fit in, and starts teasing her brother: "Anna, look at Nick's excited face, he's been packing this suitcase for hours, putting clothes on, taking clothes off and never gets finished. Ask him if he really wants to go?"

I look at him, smile, and say: "Pri, I'll miss you guys too, but time flies by so quickly, and you'll be back soon. We can keep in touch and share all the news during the week."

Nick looks at me out of the corner of his eye as he zips up his suitcase and says: "And don't even think about not answering me."

Mrs. Nadine comes into the room to make sure they're ready and sees me with surprise: "Hi Anna, are you there? I'm so glad you came. Do you want to go with me to take them to the airport?"

I immediately reply: "Mrs. Nadine, I won't, because I'm terrible at saying goodbye."

D. Nadine comments: "Well, then it's better not to go, because there is someone here who doesn't seem very excited either."

Felling it's time to leave, I get up from the pouf and start saying my goodbyes. I hug Priscila, kiss her on the top of the head, and turn to Nick to bid him farewell. Before I can say anything, Nick asks me to wait. Mrs. Nadine and Pri leave the room, leaving us alone. With an anxious look on his face, he opens the drawer of his computer desk and takes out a sealed red envelope.