Random Encounter

Chapter 15 - The Envelope

It had been a week since Robert turned away from me and walked through the airport to leave for LA. When I exited the airport Amanda was waiting for me to drive me home. It was a silent journey, the only break was thanking her for the lift and saying goodbye as I got out of the car. Thinking back I was being incredibly rude to Amanda but my mind was so preoccupied by thoughts of Robert and our last perfect day together. Today Robert was supposed to be back, though I was only going by the general statement he said back in the hotel room, I hadn't talked to him since he left.

 The only good thing about not having Robert here was there was no distractions so I could get on with my assignment. Every time I lost focus or couldn't think of what to write I would look at the Chaplin cane that now took pride of place on my fireplace. It even came with a little plaque that said “This cane once belonged to Charlie Chaplin.” It never failed to inspire me; though at times it did make me think of Robert and I would feel sad again for not having him with me. He did say he would help me with my assignment and he has in a way but it's not the same as having him with me. I had managed to write the whole essay this week, even some re-drafting was done, I was very happy with the overall quality of my writing and those extra details Robert gave me about the man defiantly helped.

 I was now lying on my sofa, my hands cradling the back of my head and Sam lying down by the side of me. Sam had been lying on the sofa ever since Robert let him that one time. I would go out of the room for 5 seconds and Sam would see it as his chance and make himself comfortable. I eventually just gave up and let Sam lie on the sofa and made a mental note to thank Robert when he got back. I really was unsure if I should text Robert or not, he was clearly busy in LA or he would have text or called me by now and I didn't want to disturb him, or wake him up cause of the time difference. As much as I wanted to talk to him, just to hear his voice, I made the decision to wait until hes contacts me, that way I know I'm not bothering him, but none of that mattered anymore as today he was supposed to back, today was the day I had been waiting for. Luckily it was a Saturday so I didn't have any lectures as I wouldn't be able to concentrate anyway. I stared up at my white ceiling and started daydreaming about Robert, I had lost track of how many times I had found myself doing this during this week, I guess it was my way of being with Robert even if hes not by me. The ceiling was an off white with slight cracks appearing in one corner. “I should probably do something about that.” I thought to myself.

 Roberts POV

I was lying down on the airport benches staring up at the white cracked ceiling that had been my only source of entertainment for the past 3 hours, I swear I was going insane. The only thing keeping me sane was the hope of getting back to see Maria, though with the delays cause of the weather I was unsure if I was even going to make it back.

 I hadn't called or text Maria all week, I felt bad but I was so busy and I thought it would give her time to concentrate on her Chaplin assignment. “I should give her a call now though, to fill her in on the situation. I might not make it back.”

 I sit up, my head slightly spinning from getting up too fast and take out my phone. I get Maria's number up on the screen. I laugh to myself remembering how I stole her phone to input my number when she thought she wasn't going to see me again. I walk over to the huge glass window and stare out as I dial.
M - “Hello?”
R - “Hi Maria.”
M- “Hi Robert. How are you? And where are you? I can barley hear you.”
R - “I'm at the airport waiting for my flight, they say it's been delayed cause of the bad weather so I'm unsure if I am going to make it back today. I'm sorry babe. And I'm not OK cause I'm missing you far too much.”
M - “Aww Robert I'm missing you too. I have missed you so much this past week, more than I ever thought it possible to miss anyone. And don't worry if you can't make it back, of course it will make me miss you even more, but I would rather you be safe.”
R - “I miss you so much it hurts. Did you open that envelope yet?”
M - “No not yet.”
R - “Why not?”
M- “Because it says on the front 'to be opened when feeling most lonely' and to be honest the most lonely I have felt all week is right now.”
R - “What? Why now? We are talking doesn’t that help?”
M - “It does in a way but it also reminds me of the fact that as soon as we hang up the phone I am alone in this empty house, once again. I felt the same way when my Mum left. We said our goodbyes, I closed the door and sat in the living room and listened to the silence that now took over what I once considered my family home. Now it meant nothing to me, it was as empty as I was feeling.”
R - “Aww don't worry babe I will be back soon enough, I will try everything to bet back to my lovely girl. Then you won't be able to get rid of me hahah.”
M - “Haha thanks Robert.”
R - “No problem my dear. It's good to hear your laugh.”