Behind The Reason

5. Excuses

"I'm really sorry for this morning I don't really know what took me I'm sorry about my behavior, that was really unpleasant for my part while you were just trying to talk to me as a friend, I'm aware of acting rude, I'm so sorry "I said that without taking a breath and again most people who were next door had heard everything and looked at me. 

During all my monologue he had not raised his head so I told myself that it hadn't worked and by the time I was going to turn. He seemed moving and I took my position just like when I said my excuses, he had lifted his head from his notebook and then looked around and smirked, that mocking smile that I know so well that my ex was doing then he turned to me and whispered to me. 

"Why are you apologizing?" 

" And why are you whispering ? " I said whispering back, I don't even know why I do that either but in a split second I didn't follow him at all and I think that when he looked at the un-understanding face that I was doing he was laughing, it's when, I understood that he had already forgotten what a great relief! Now I can breath normally.

 When it was time to go back, I was doing as I did yesterday, leaving Al 'and Kathy to drive back. At the shop it was the same thing but just that Lucy had left me the key so I had to close the boutique because she had to do the shopping, ours and for our neighbor who's having a difficulty to move. 

At 19:15 I began to tidy up, to close and when it was time to close there was still someone knocking on the door.  

"We are already closed" I lamely said

"Please, it's just for a bouquet it's not going to take a lot of time, just two seconds and it's done. I take it, I give you the money and I go out "

"Okay, but you don' ..." I opened the door at the same time and when I was looking at the person who's standing in front of me I was shocked to see the young man. "Josh? "

"Alison! "

" What a surprise ! What are you doing here ? "

"I think I already said it, what a question! " he says half laughing

"Oh yeah sorry, what a stupid question!" I said tapping my head "So it's for the girl ... huh " wait, what am I saying that ? I tease him but he replied

"No no no it's for my mother," he cut me off, "she's in the hospital so I wanted to give her a little present"

"Ah, I'm sorry," I said, embarrassed

"No, it's okay"

"Okay, which color you wanna take? "

"What do you propose to me? "

"I would say basic, white, I don't know much about it I'm not an expert in these things, I smile, we'll say that it's not in my strong areas. Not into flowers! I think it's kinda cliché I'm just holding the shop, Lucy, she knows it. I'm sure even with eyes closed she can tell you what is what" I said and laughed

"Okay I'll take it then, how much ?"

"No it's okay, today it's free for you"

"No, take it" he insists

"No, I told you that it's okay, take it as a gift for your mother too, or I do not know."

"Wow what kindness! I'll owe you that" he told me with a smile.

"Thank you and no problem" I turned to grab my bag and he went out when suddenly I heard his footsteps stopping. 

"How you gotta go home?" 

"Walking" I said, returning his smile. Then hesitating he said

"Would you like to go with me see my mother, to the hospital and then I'll drive you home?" I hesitated and then he continued "you owe me that at least, after the flowers" 

I closed my eyes and lifted my head laughing. "Where is the scam? I don't 100% know you so who's guaranteeing that you're not going to leave me in a dark alley and go at full speed? " 

"I promise you there's no scam or dark alley, and do you really think I'd do that kind of thing? C'mon!"  I hesitated, then he continued "you owe me that" 

"Okay but you drive me back home, okay? " 

"Promised" 

" Good " 

"Have to leave now too" he said laughing  

"Haha, yeah wait, I'm going to close" 

"I'm waiting for you in the car it's just in front of the magasin okay? " 

"Okay" 

"Don't take too long " 

"I just gotta turn off the light, turn the key, it's not going to take forever. Josh, will you start the car, wait, didn't you told me it was in the garage?" 

"Hurry up," he told me, taking the exit with a child's laugh. 

When I was out I didn't know which car it was, there were several cars near our shop because there was a small restaurant just next to our boutique so sometimes they park in front of ours and of course under the agreement of Lucy. "Yeah! What are you thinking about?! See... my conscience told me in the back of my head. I knew it was too good to be true" I murmured to myself then I hear him shouting

"Hey Ali! I'm here, "he said to me two cars away. 

"Ah, here you are" I withdraw what I said

"Yes, come on"  

He opened the door for me what a gentlemen and I took a seat then he did the same. On the way we talked to each other and I learned a lot about him, that he was an only son, hum actually he wasn't really the only child, he have two sisters, one who lives in London which surprised me and one who's here but only spent weekends at home because of her employment which required her presence every day. That he had a little brother but died two years ago in a plane crash after staying with his big sister in London, he didn't wanna talk too much about it so I didn't insist too much on this subject . Concerning his mother and his father he hadn't told me anything yet. 

"Sorry for your brother" I said in a low tone

"No it's okay, one day we'll meet again right? I mean I hope so... If I don't burn in hell for the things I did before" he laugh at his own remark

I laugh and looked straight into his eyes and smile saying " repent boy! The quicker it's done, the chance to meet him there will increase "

"You think ?"

"I don't, I'm sure... only if you keep doing right things"

We arrived in the car park of the hospital and I went with him hoping to wait in the waiting room but he told me to go with him to the room where his mother was, at the beginning I hesitated I thought it was impolite but he reassured me that it wasn't. 

He was knocking and a voice was telling us to enter 

"Hi mom!" He said with a happy face, offering her the flowers 

"Ah darling, hello, thank you! You're so sweet, it's really nice of you," she said, taking the flowers. When she gave him a kiss, she saw me and said, "You brought me a beautiful girl in addition to flowers, huh? " 

" Mom ! Stop ... "he whispered embarrassed 

"What? Don't you think it's time to present me decent one at home" she joked with a relaxed expression as she put the flowers next her bed. 

"Ali? Don't stay there " he instruct me to come next them

I entered, and I greeted his mother with a handshake, which she returned with a friendly smile and didn't release my hand. 

"Mom, let me introduce you to A ..." 

"Alison Pierce Nguyen," she said, looking right into my eyes. Me and Josh looked at each other surprised.