So Close

Chapter 13

“Alice, my wonder!” Dad whispered in my ear the next morning. I opened my eyes slightly, groaning at the head spin and pounding headache that came into focus. I closed my eyes yet turned to face him, plastering on a fake smile in my attempt to conceal the fact that I had a hangover.

“It’s time to get up.” He said, the bed dipping because he sat down, pushing the hair out of my face as I yawned. “Hey, isn’t that MY jumper?” I giggled and smiled cheekily.

“Yes, but its mine now.”  I croaked out.

“I wanted to wear that to the gym yesterday but I couldn’t find it!” He laughed, gesturing towards the large red jumper that I was wearing as pyjamas and I rolled to face him.

“I’ll give it back next time you want to go.” I replied, hoping he would let me go back to sleep.

“I would have to wash it, it has girl germs on it.” He pouted childishly as I laughed again, my head pounding.

“NO! It is my plan to spread cooties around the gym environment.” I smiled as he chucked, ruffling my hair and standing up.

“That’s my girl.” He smiled, walking to the door before turning around. “I got you up now because you have the meeting to show your three canvas’ to the rich woman in an hour and I thought you would like to get your bearings. There is breakfast, coffee and advil downstairs.” He said, winking at the end as my mouth fell open in shock.

“Im not an idiot Alice, I know what those boys and girls who you spend time with get up to, just don’t be silly about it. I don’t want to see you like this again Alice.” He warned as I squinted and smiled sheepishly.

I pulled on a pair of jeans and walked downstairs, seeing exactly what he had offered sitting on the countertop. I ate the bacon and eggs, coffee and advil before walking back up the stairs to see a note on my door.

Nell and I have gone out for the day, up to your Grandmother’s house. Good luck with this meeting, give me a call if you need anything and stay safe. I love you, Dad.

I smiled, it felt odd being taken care of. I was  usually taking care of other people but it felt nice to just be able to take a deep breath in and ask the world to get off my shoulders for just a moment. I brushed my teeth, putting on a blue blouse and filling a grey bag with my phone, wallet, keys and useless things that I wont need.

Isnt that always the way? You fill a bag with useless junk in there, thinking you might need it. then you end up lugging a bag around all day and you use nothing. 

Random notepad - check

Hand sanitiser - check

Harmonica - check

Quickly, brushing my hair and teeth, I picked up the 3 canvases and looked around the house for some type of trolley to carry them. They were large and heavy enough on their own, let alone three.

I needed a lift from someone. Instinctively I picked up the home phone and pressed 4 and the talk button, the phone rang several times before I yelped, hung up and threw the phone away. I heard it clatter further down the hall.

How could I call the Horan household? I had been effectively pushing last night’s realisations and declarations to the back of my mind.

I loved him, he had loved me but when he loved me I missed my chance and now he still loves me but he is in the process of loving someone else and I only just realised that I loved him.

This was a mess.

I couldn’t handle this right now, I needed to see this woman and try and sell my canvases, I assume she will like them since I looked at her colour scheme and told her my pitch which she enjoyed but there is always a sliver of nervousness that comes with not having a 100% guarantee.