Unprecedented Silence

Ashton

It was atypical for me to be in this scenario. I smiled to myself and looked at the girl strapped at the backseat of my car. I have never driven a girl home before, a drunk girl I barely know to be particular. My last girlfriend broke up with me because according to her I'm too emotionally unavailable, that I love my job more than I love her. Thinking about it, maybe, she was right. I've had only two girlfriends in my life and both of them dumped me.

I called Wren and told her what happened. She sounded worried, hysterical and sorry all rolled into one. She directed me on how to get to their house which was not too far from town. I decided to let Gail seat at the back to be safe. During the drive, I thought of Gail and I's conversation in the bar. It wasn't also my usual conversation with anyone. Although we hardly know each other, her words struck me because of its authenticity. Coming from a big city, I know for a fact that genuine people are hard to find these days.

When I stopped the car in front of their house, I noticed that it was the most prominent house in the neighborhood because of its structure. It has much bigger lawn than the others. It has a contemporary design with oversized windows and flat shed rooflines. It looked the most modern of all the houses I saw around. I unstrapped Gail from the seatbelt and carried her towards the house. She was moaning and saying something although I didn't understand any because of her slurred speech. Wren opened the door and ushered me to the couch. I gently laid Gail and turned to Wren who looked so upset.

"Thank you so much Ashton. And I'm so sorry for troubling you. Actually, all of this was because of me." she looked like she was about to cry.

"It's nothing, Wren. Don't worry yourself." I patted her on the shoulder.

"I should get going. And uh.. I hope you could patch things up between the two of you." Wren gave me a half-hearted smile. She thanked me again and walked me outside the house.

I drove for a few minutes until I reached my hotel room. I was tired and ready to sleep so I took off my clothes and change. I placed my iPhone on the dock speaker and played Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me by The Smiths.

I was bound to New York tomorrow night and this visit helped me feel better. I've been feeling bummed out with the way things are going in New York. It was as if everything in my life was going downhill; the studio lost most of its clients because recording songs these days can be done even at the basement of anyone's house. With the right knowledge and equipment anybody could easily record and release their songs online which means it was not good for businesses like mine. Then, Samantha broke up with me just when I needed her most. Add to that the relationship with my Dad which wasn't great either. He kept bugging me to continue working fot him in his construction company. So when I got a call last week from my friend and co -owner of Quintilis, Luke, saying to come over in Maineclear for a potential client I left early the next day. Good thing, the meeting with the new client went well and I've met some amazing artists as well.

The song goes on as I pulled the covers over me. The lyrics playing in my head "So, tell me how long before the last one? And tell me how long before the right one?"

I woke up with the buzzing of my phone still on the dock speakers. Someone was calling me though I do not who. I drag myself out of bed, still dazed as I picked up. I stifled a loud yawn before I said hello.

"Uh, hello? Sorry to wake you up. This is Gail."

I almost dropped my phone when I heard who was calling.

"Uhm, hello Gail! No, it's fine." I perked up my voice immediately.

"I just want to apologize for what happened last night. It really was stupid of me to drink uncontrollably. I clearly wasn't thinking. Sorry that you have to trouble yourself in taking me home." She sounded embarrassed but sincere.

"You don't have to apologize, Gail. I was glad that I was there to help you."then there was a brief moment of silence.

"Well, thank you for everything. Uhmm.. Do you happen to be free tonight? I was wondering if I could buy you dinner for your good deed in aiding a drunkard." she chuckled. I grinned just by hearing her adorable laugh. However, even her offer was too hard to resist, I still have a flight to catch.

"I'd love to. But I have a flight to New York tonight. But thank you for asking. Maybe, next time?" I asked.

"Yeah..sure! If you ever find yourself in Maineclear anytime just give me a ring. That is if you still want to go back."

"I'm most definitely going back. I don't forget invitations especially when food's involved." I laughed and I heard her giggle as well.

"Okay. Take care. Bye, Ashton."

"See you soon, Gail."

After our conversation, I can't help but smile to myself. This was indeed a great visit but I have to admit that meeting Gail was the highlight of it. It seems that fate was giving me reasons to come back and I'm not one to oppose it.