Suicide Notes

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Caleb-

Restlessness filled me as I checked my phone for what must've been the billionth since I'd left Seattle. The flight seemed to go on forever, despite the comforts of the first class seats the label had provided us. The rock star treatment hadn't ended there either A smartly dressed limousine driver met us at baggage claim, leading us out to a stretch limo that had the guys grinning from ear to ear. We were taken to the Four Seasons Los Angeles and checked in, each one of us getting our own room. As soon as I was able to put my stuff away, I called for a taxi to take me to Anna's. Our meeting with the label executives wasn't scheduled until tomorrow afternoon and I wasn't waiting another minute to see Anna.

The lights of Los Angeles flashed by me in a blur as I sat back in my seat, pondering everything I wanted to say to Anna. I hoped she'd be happy to see me, but I was positive I would catch her unprepared.

"Hey, is there a place on the way were we can stop for flowers?" I asked the cab driver.

"Most florists are probably closed by now," he replied in his Middle Eastern accent. "A grocery store is probably your best bet. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, that will be fine." It seemed like it had been ages since I'd seen Anna. I didn't want to arrive empty handed. Flowers would signal my intent as soon as she saw them.

Ten minutes later, I was back in the car, armed with a surprisingly nice bouquet of two dozen red roses, heading toward Anna again.

Tipping the driver generously for his help when we arrived, I got out of the car and stared at the campus housing. Anna was here, somewhere, and it almost seemed as if I could feel her presence. Digging the paper her mom had given me from my pocket, I glanced at the unit number before heading into the maze of buildings. As it turned out, it wasn't too difficult to find. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door. After several seconds, I knocked again, feeling frustrated. Just my luck. No one was home.

Turning, I stared across the grounds. What should I do now?

The sound of the door opening caused me to look back. Anna was standing there in a robe, her long dark hair wet.

"Caleb?" she asked, her eyes wide, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Eyes drifting briefly down to the flowers I held she glanced back into my eyes. "Are you really here or am I imagining things?"

I couldn't help my smile. "I'm here. I didn't think you were home."

She blushed. "Sorry. I was just getting out of the shower when you knocked. I tried to hurry." She ran a hand self-consciously over her robe. "I look terrible."

"Really?" I asked glancing over her. "I was just thinking I'd never seen anything more beautiful."

She blushed harder and I was happy to know she wasn't immune to me.

"Can we talk, Anna? I've been trying to give you your space to could work things out for yourself, but I can't leave things like this between us anymore. It's killing me."

"I know," she replied quietly, stepping aside so I could enter. "I was planning on coming home, as soon as my classes were done, to see you. I can't believe you came to LA."

"Well, in the interest of full disclosure, I'm here on business, as well; but there was no way I could come here and not see you." Holding the flowers out to her, I added. "These are for you."

"Thank you," she said almost shyly, taking them from me. "Let me put them in some water." She glanced toward the table where a vase with some very droopy roses sat. "I guess I can throw these away now."