Reasons Why

Chapter Fourteen

That evening Chloe went to the cinema with Didi, it was nice to have some female company, and she liked Didi, a lot. Any film with Christian Bale in was a winner for Chloe, and afterwards they got coffee and a doughnut in Chloe’s new favourite discovery, Tim Horton’s.

Sitting outside the small shop at the mall, they enjoyed the late evening, despite being dark, it wasn’t cold in fact there was a warm breeze that made it perfect.

               “So how are you finding Victoria?” Didi asked adding milk to her coffee.

Chloe sipped her own coffee appreciatively before responding, “You know about me breaking down on Phil? I guess he told you.” Despite feeling so much better since sharing all her fears, she was embarrassed that she’d brought all this into their family. Didi gave a quiet nod, Chloe slumped back in her chair and sighed, “It’s great here, I love the boys, I love spending time with you and Phil. I just hate that I bring so much baggage...I wish I didn’t.”

Didi stirred the coffee silent in contemplation before looking up, “we all have bad times, and it’s how we get through them and what we learn about ourselves and others through those times that is the point. You’ve changed in the ten days you’ve been here. Maybe you needed the change of scenery, the time without the memories and the pressures. But hopefully when you go back to your life then you’ll have some better clarity. If you go back!”

Chloe laughed, “as if I could stay here! Nope, I will be going home, and hopefully by then I will have worked out how I’m going to get my life back into shape.”

Didi grinned, “Will that include seeing Luke again?”

She shrugged, “that’s not going to work, is it? I have to go back and pick the meat off the bones of my career, sort my life out. Not that there’s much left there. And he’s over here, a large pond of water between us. No, I can’t rely on anyone any more Di; I’ve got to take control.”

Didi covered Chloe’s hand with hers, “it’s normal to ask for help. I rely on Phil all the time, and he relies on me...Owen...well it hit Phil hard, then when you weren’t at the funeral and he didn’t see you, he had the guilt of not being able to stay and help you. He needed me to tell him that he was doing all he could. It was my suggestion we invite you out here, and you being here has helped him. Unbelievably so. But that’s what happens in life, family, friends, we help each other out.”

Chloe smiled, “so me being a wreck is at a benefit to someone!”

They both laughed, Didi glad that Chloe had understood the nature of her pep talk. She had really enjoyed having the younger woman in the house, and hopefully by the time she left the family would be more unified.

                “So are you seeing Luke tomorrow? Only Phil was talking about treating us all to dinner in the evening.”

Chloe nodded, “we were supposed to be seeing each other tomorrow as he travels to the mainland for a game on Saturday, they’re not back until Sunday afternoon.”

                “So we can do something when he’s away then. I’ve got a light practice in the evening so we would have to eat early anyway.”

                “No,” Chloe smiled as they gathered their things, “if Luke is serious about spending time with me, then he needs to appreciate that I am spending time with my family...he can join us, can’t he?”

Didi nodded, “I think Phil would love that!”

Phil was watching a football match on TV when they get home and he smiled at them both as they came in. “Good night?”