Seas Between

Chapter 4

It took just under an hour for Alex's plane to land for his first stop. I was checking my phone for messages every few minutes within a half an hour of the plane's scheduled landing. I missed him so much. I watching a show on my phone when he texted.

 Hey! Just landed!!!

I paused my show and admired the actor's oddly frozen face for a moment then replied.

ALEX!! How has everything gone so far??

The flight was smooth. There was however a kid that kept kicking my chair behind me.

So where are you now?

Portland.

I wish you were still here. I already miss you.

I miss you too. I've been gone all of 45 minutes now, any new developments?

Well, Ava died.

NO!

Wow, jk Alex. You're way too gullible.

Don't scare me like that!

 lol

 Well, I should go. Mom and dad wanna play cards with me. Text later?

 Yeah, I have some laundry to get done. Have good flights, hey? ttyl

 Right, lol, ttyl Katrina.

I could only imagine what it would be like for him. He was moving to Spain. Spain! The farthest we've ever gone before was Washington and that was big for us. His parents always were saying that they wanted to go somewhere. We thought that they were just fantasies that they never really were going to draw on anymore than a daydream. That was negated today.

I watched the rest of my show and started to prepare supper. I was at the table with my parents eating supper when he texted again.

 Getting on the plane, I'll text you when I get off.

I quickly replied. Ok!

I looked up and took another bite of rice. Mom and dad were looking at me with concern. "What?" I said with chewed rice on my tongue.

"We know you miss him." Dad said.

"It's alright honey, you'll see him when he comes back this winter though!"

I swallowed. "I'm going to see him before then." I stated quite plainly.

"Uh, honey, we can't afford to fly you to Spain and you'd miss work. I'm sorry but you'll have to wait it out."

"Oh, I wasn't expecting you to pay. I have a bit of saved cash and I'll just save a bit more. I can get the money."

"What about Freddie..." Dad said, running his fork through his food.

"I'll see him everyday until I leave. Promise." I shoved a chunk of pork into my mouth so I wouldn't have to answer another question.

That night, I gave Ava a bath. I rinsed the soap off of her foamy back and rubbed her down with a towel. She shook and let the water drops fly. I played with her until she was dry and tired. Oh, she smelled so bad. I took her with me to my bedroom and let her up on my bed. I brushed my teeth, changed into my pyjamas and crawled into bed. Ava laid on top of my feet and we both fell asleep.

I woke up to the sun on my face and Ava barking in the kitchen. I pushed the sheets off me and ran out of my room. The kitchen was adjacent to my room at an angle. Ava was at her food and water dishes, sticking her face into them, whining. I felt a bit torpid on my feet that morning and I could barely keep my eyes open. I rushed to Ava's side, knocking into the counter on my way to her dishes. I picked them up and filled them. Ava chowed down.

I brewed myself a cup of coffee and sat down with a bowl of cereal for breakfast, hoping to feel awake soon enough.

I got a text a while later. It was from a friend, Avery. I heard about Alex moving, you okay?

I took a sip of coffee and replied. Yeah, what's up?

 Not much, you working today?

 No, I will be tomorrow though.

 Any news about Freddie?

 Not since we talked last. He's still in the hospital. No improvement.

 I'm so sorry

 It's okay. We were fortunate to have gotten them in there when we did.

 He's only stage two though right? I mean, he'll be fine, won't he?

 No... he's stage three. They wouldn't keep him in the hospital if he was stage two.

 Oh Katrina! I didn't know! I thought that he was stage two. I'm really sorry!

 Really Avery, I'm fine. I'm tired, but fine.

 Have you had your coffee yet?

 Taking a sip as I type.

 Well I'll let you finish your coffee. I have to go to a job interview. Gotta pretty up for it.

 Hope all goes well.

 For you too.

 Thanks

I used my day off to tidy up my room a little. That actually didn't take too long. I sprayed down my mirror, wiped it off and went into the kitchen to grab a snack. I was sticking my hand in the cupboard when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I tore it out of my pocket, dropping the box of cookies to the floor. It was Alex. He'd finally made it to Spain. I'm in Barcelona. Our house is in a town just outside of here.

 Cool.

Cool?

Uh huh

Yeah, I get it, cool but not really cool.

 Well it's cool that you're in Spain.

Just not that I'm in Spain because I'm not still home.

Maybe.

I picked up the cookies. Several were broken and half-crumbled but I snacked on them anyway.

 Barcelona is really pretty. I mean, outside of the airport. The airport isn't all that cool.

 I'll have to see for myself.

 I suppose you will.

 So what time is it there?

3. It's crazy. I'm really jet-lagged.

Wow, it's only 11 here.

 This is going to mess me up

 Same

Alex told me that he had to go. He'd reached his new house and he was officially moving in. I missed him so much.