Where The Wind Blows

Chapter 3.

It was almost an hour drive to the bus station but thank God we arrived on time, we still had a couple of minutes to say our goodbyes. Hailey's mood had turned a little sour, she was going to miss Elisa, that's for sure. She knew she couldn't tease me, like she did her.
Were we going to cry and give last hugs till the bus was about to leave? I don't know but I was very sure, I won't be part of it.

I couldn't cry, no I wouldn't cry.

That's just pathetic.

We offloaded her things from the truck and we stood facing each other. No words were spoken but none was needed at this time. I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that Elisa had to leave. It still didn't make any sense or maybe it did, I mean it's her son we're talking about, her family. It's probably because I'm just too selfish and want her to stay because I always felt safe with her, she was like a friend, a mother, a sister, and we aren't even related by blood at all.

I don't know but this whole thing seems off.

Or maybe you're just selfish. Let her go, she has sacrificed too much for you.

But why didn't she tell me when her son's health worsened and her abuelita's cancer? Why would she even want to hide something that important, that critical from me.

I'm still not buying her whole 'I didn't want to bother you bullshit. We told each other everything, every single thing or maybe we didn't anymore.

"So, I guess it's time for you to go Elisa." Hailey said, breaking our staring contest and my thoughts. This was one of the few times she called Elisa, 'Elisa'.
Normally, she'll call her some silly name she came up with. Mummy Theresa, grandma, holy virgin Elisa, granny Theresa and the list goes on and on. But Elisa's leaving today, I guess she wasn't in the mood to joke.

"Yes. It's time," she sighed. "You know, it feels so good hearing you call me Elisa. I'm seriously going to miss all of those dumb names you come up with and-" she stopped talking and I heard something like a sniff, was she crying again?

You would never know if you keep looking everywhere but at her.

I pulled my eyes from the people on the queue to enter the bus to look at my best friend. To my surprise, she was crying okay? But Hailey was hugging her and telling her words that I never thought I'll hear from her.

Hailey doesn't even hug people. What is this?

After what seemed like forever, they finally pulled out of their embrace, Elisa's eyes were bloodshot red and that prompted the lump in my throat to grow even more. Everything in me wanted to break down right now, right here, in front of these people but I can't and I won't. That's just pathetic.
You try too hard to be strong, too hard and that is what's pathetic.

Instead of crying, I looked down at my wrist watch, she only had five minutes left. Five minutes till God knows when I'll see her again, five minutes and maybe I'll be dead tomorrow because she decides to up and leave.

She needs to be with her son, stupid.

And I'll be dead, smartass.

Or not.

They both looked at me,waiting for a hug or for me to say something at least. But I couldn't, my emotions were on the edge. This is like a second me walking away, how can anyone deal with that?

"You should get going. Hailey didn't rent a truck and drive all the way here only for you to miss your bus. Say 'hi' to little Emilio and your abuelita for me." I paused and took in a sharp shaky breath, "I hope I see you again Elisabeth."