Autumn Comes And Goes

Losing Someone Precious

They head out to the car. Neil does the door for Avery. They buckle up.

"How much time were we in the coffee shop? " Neil asks.
"I don't know. Why you ask? "
"To be exact, 10 minutes. I'm asking cos I need to calculate your payback. "
"Okay... "
"And if I'm not wrong, we were in the market for 5 minutes. Total is 15 minutes Ms. Avery Thompson, congratulations. You've repaid your time to me. All of it. Your punishment is over. "
"My punishment? That was it? Just spending time with you? "
"Yeah, what's wrong in that? "
"Nothing, if THAT was my punishment, then I'd like to get punished by you some other time. " Avery smirks.

---

The drive is soon over.
Neil walks Avery to  her house.

"I guess its time when you bid me goodbye. "
"Not only a goodbye actually. ''
"Why, what more? "
"I'll also leave the schedule for our tomorrow's town tour. "
"Where are we heading to? "
"We'll be going to..."
"To...?"
"The Fall Gardens !"
"Seriously, Neil, we'll go to a TOUR to the Fall Gardens? Who TOURS a garden? "
"Heh, why not? "
"Mr. Neil Twombly, are you asking me to a date? "
She places a finger in his chest.
"Depends on how you take it. "
He takes her finger and swiftly switches to the hand and pulls her close.

"I guess I'll take it as a date then. "
"Then I'll look forward to our 'date' Avery. "
Avery puts her hands on his shoulders.
"You don't take things slow, do you? "
Neil doesn't answer her question.
"Tomorrow 5 pm. Sharp."
"You, are very 'demanding' you know that? "
"Am I?"
He leans to Avery's ear and whispers
"Then you better get used to it."
The words put a shiver throughout her body.

They hug for one last time.
"See you tomorrow Avery. "
"See you too. "

---

Rest of her evening passes away thinking of Neil.

Avery;

What on the earth is happening to me... Did he just ask me to a date!  But why would he?  And why did he kiss me back there!  Omigod omaigod omaigod!!!  Why am I panicking so fucking much!

Okay,  I just need to calm down. And I need to stop panicking like a dumbass.  I don't know,  I don't want us to be only 'friends' , I want us to be something more than that. I know he feels the same way too. If not,  why would 'he'  kiss me in the first place?  Do I even have feelings for him?  If not,  then what are those shivers for that I get every time I look in his eyes?

~Avery's walking back and forth in her room. She unknowingly stomps her foot to the bed~
''HOLY MOTHE... "
~She sits in the corner of her bed and touches the wound. ~
"TCHT,  it hurts!"

---

She counts from 10 to 0 and takes deep breaths.
"Okay,  now that I'm finally calm,  I can start panicking again."

"Was that kiss even real?  Did he fall for me?  Or did I?  (by any fucking chances) "

Her eyes go to her phone. She takes the phone and quickly dials a contact called 'Zoey'. The call gets picked after a few seconds.

"OMAIGAWD!  Avy it's you!!!  We haven't spoken in like, YEARS!"
"Relax Zoey, it's only been 4 days."
"Are you guys safe? Where are you guys?"
"Well, we're at New Haven. It's  the 4th day here."
"Thank God you are safe, Adrian and I thought either your plane got crashed or you and your dad got kidnapped! Such a relief that you're fine."
"You and Adrian can never think of anything normal can you? By the way, Zoey, I called you for a reason."
"And the reason is?"
"I have a question ."
"Yeah, go ahead."
"How was the time when you shared your fist date experience with your mom?"
"Ooh,  let's just say, I was nervous as fuck. But I could spill it all though."
"That must've been a really good feeling for you,right?"
Avery pauses.

"Avy, why are asking all this all on a sudden?  I can feel something's wrong. Tell me what's wrong."

Zoey doesn't get a reply from the other side. Only the sound of Avery weeping.   
"Avy! You can share. You know you'll feel better."

Avery's weeps turns into cry.
"Zoey, I -"
"Yeah?"
"I miss my mom, Zoey, I miss her, I miss her! God, I miss her so very much, Zoey."
"Hey, you, don't have to cry Avy. Look, you've got such an amazing dad!  How many of us have got such cool dads, Avy?  Don't feel bad honey, we're here to cheer you up ."

---

They talk over the phone for almost, 3hours or so. Finally the hang up.
"Huh- I wish mom was here."
Avery checks the time. It's 9:17 pm.

She gets down to call her dad for dinner.
"Dad, you still working?"
"Yeah, got a  little work left."
"Alright, I'll wait for you."Her voice gets tumbly. She turns around, ready to leave.
"Avy!"
"Yes?"
"You okay?"
"Yes..."
"Being honest?"
A teardrop rolls down her eye.
"I don't...know."
She turns to her dad. Teardrops showering through her eyes.

"Avy, why are you crying? Come're"
She walks to her dad and puts her head on his shoulder. Marcus hugs her.
"Don't you cry sweetie, tell me what's going on?"
"I- I miss ...mom. I wish she would be here with us today,dad."
"There there, your mom had to go. She had been summoned."
"By God?"
"Yep, by God."
"Dad, what happened to her? Why did she leave us? Why don't you ever tell me?"
"Avy, let's talk about this some other day."
"No, dad. Tell me now. All these years you've never told me this. You tell me right now, otherwise I'm not leaving."

Marcus sighs.

"Okay sit down." He pulls a chair.

"Your mom was a very nice lady. She loved you more than anything in this world. Aubry was the life of the neighbourhood."
"Tell me what actually happened." Her voice gets strong.

He drinks some water from the glass.

"Well, when Aubry got pregnant with you, she was diagnosed with cancer. I thought I would lose both of you. But look at God, you came, all beautiful, all healthy. But it was your mom who wasn't doing really well."
Marcus takes a pause.
"What happened then?"
"When you turned two, your mom got seriously ill. I was very scared. Because if she's gone, how would I raise you all by myself!"

"That must've been so hard for you guys." Avery wipes a tear.
"It was indeed. The doctors said that she had not much time. So I took you to your mom so she could see you for one last time. Then she finally left us. Deserted and loveless. "

Tears running down Marcus's eyes.

"She didn't leave me deserted dad,  you were always there by my side.  And loveless?  I couldn't find a dad more loving than you in this whole wide world. "

Avery gives a tight hug to her dad, still crying.
"Okay sweetheart,  now go wipe out those tears and get going for dinner. "
Avery nods.

After the dinner,  Avery does the dishes and goes to bed. She lies on the bed all straight.

"I've grown up now. And I can myself on my own. I should be happy that I have dad on my side. "

She's soon asleep.

                                                         (TBC)

Are you guys enjoying the story?  Well, it was a sad chapter.
Go read the next chapter to learn about Avery's 'perfect date' with Neil.

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Much love,
Rehnuma Kabir.