That Fateful Day

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

ERIN POV~

We walk into my apartment and I don't know where to start. I know that she has to go pick up the kids, sometime soon... But where should I start?

"So... Um... Do you want something to drink?" I ask, lamely.

She cracks a smile, "No, thanks. Do you want to sit?" She points to the couch.

"I don't know why this is so awkward.." I murmur.

This time, she giggles a little bit. "Because we are here for you."

"Yeah, probably." I admit and sit on the couch.

She sits next to me with her feet tucked under her, facing me. Waiting.

I clear my throat. "So, Erik came to see me, the other day.." I start and her eyebrows shoot to her hairline. That makes me nod and continue. "Yeah, he looked like he was in bad shape. I mean, I haven't seen him like that in a long time." Just remembering his disheveled appearance, makes my heart break all over again.

"That must have been hard for you." She says, softly. She reaches out and grabs my hand, anchoring herself to me, making me stronger.

"He wanted to talk to me about Carol. I don't know what happened, though. I just kind of froze and freaked out... I mean, I just yelled at him, telling him that I couldn't take it and he needed to leave... Now, all I can think about is the fact that I want to know what he had to say, but I have you in my life and I don't love her anymore." I ramble, willing myself to shut up. "You are all I want. You make me strong, but she was a big part of my life for so long, just like he was. How can I just drop them, like I never cared?" I finally am able to get my mouth to stop working.

She just looks off to the distance, kind of in a deep thought for a second and then comes back, "You can't just drop them. That's one of the things I admire about you.. You care and you love them, even still. Yes, you do.." She says, when I try and shake my head. "Erin, we wouldn't be sitting here, talking about your ex-wife and your best friend, if you didn't. You wouldn't be this upset over them being upset, if you didn't love them still. But that's okay. Like you said, they were are a very big part of your life for so long, you can't just drop them. Call Erik. Or call Carol, but call someone, before this eats you up..." She squeezes the hand, she is still holding and stands.

"Where are you going?" I ask up to her.

"I am going to get the kids from school and give you some privacy to make some phone calls. If you'd like to talk some more, I am making meatloaf for dinner. The kids say it's legendary.." She winks at me, leans down, and kisses me softly on the lips. "Come over later, if you'd like. They missed you, too."

And just like that, she's gone.

I take a deep breath and dial the number, I know by heart. It rings twice and they answer, "Hello?"

"Hey, it's me. You want to come over? I think we need to talk..."

AMY POV~

I take a very deep breath, when I close the door and lean against it for a second. So, that just happened...

I am so curious, what happened with Erik and Carol, it's burning a hole in my eyes, but I guess I will just have to wait to see if he decided to show up for dinner..

~

A little while later, I am in the kitchen making the meatloaf and the doorbell rings. I am literally up to my elbows in ground beef, eggs and crackers, mixing it all together with the other ingredients. I look around, frantic for a second, looking for a dishtowel or something to wipe my hands off with, when Penz yells "Got it!". whew.