𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝟐 - 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧

5.

"Hi, Stan the man... it's been a while, huh?" Evie said with a soft laugh.
"Yeah it has..." Stan said sadly but he quickly dismissed the feeling as he began to open the door, "C-c-come in. Can I get you a drink?"

"Water would be nice, thanks", Evie gave a signature small smile as she entered his house.

His house showed no signs of a place that had been filled with happiness and laughter. Evie noticed that their was no photos on the walls, no memories.
She smiled fondly as she looked around; no mess. It reminded her of times when they were younger, when his OCD would kick in.

Stan soon walked through the door with her glass of water and offering her a seat on the sofa, "So how have you been?"

"I've been alright. Busy. I became a nurse", Stan noticed instantly how her face lit up at the mention of her occupation.

"Just like you always wanted", he said with strong admiration, "So a-are you married or...?"

He sipped his drink to avoid finishing the question.

"No... Work has always taken all of my time. What about you?"

"Divorced." he coughed.

"I'm sorry to hear that...", Evie felt sorry for him. But happy he was able to find another shot happiness and love. "You ever become an ornithologists?"

Stan couldn't help the smile that crept up onto his face; she remembered.

"An accountant", he said with shrug.

However, Evie gave him an impressed nod. Proud that he had done so well with his life.

"If you don't mind me asking... How do you know where I live?"

Evie giggled, aware now of how bazaar it must have been for her just to turn up after all this time. 

"Oh, I asked mike. Turns out we both live in Atlanta", it saddened her, the thought that they were so close, that they could have walked past each other without even realising.

How many people will walk past someone that they love and not notice? How many people are unaware that they are treating a lover as a stranger?

"Yeah the call..." Stan trailed off.

"Yeah... I-I just thought that we should talk, before we go back.."

Stan looked at Evie. A knowing sadness in their eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Stan. It was like as soon as i left Derry... Derry left me.", her voice was pleading, she felt guilty, "I couldn't remember it... or anyone. The further away I got, the worse I got at remembering."
Fiddling with her hands on her lap, Evie's eyes started to cloud and water. Stan reached out and put his hand on hers.
"I-I don't even have the scar anymore... but I knew there was something. Someone."

Stan felt it too, "I couldn't remember anything either. But I remembered you, sometimes. Not your name. But your eyes and they way you made me feel... Patty always thought that there might have been another woman... and I guess in a sense there was... I guess.. I never really stopped loving you."

"Stan..." Evie felt the muscles of her chin begin to tremble like a small child.
Then her eyes dripped with tears. Her walls, the walls that held her up, made her strong just... collapsed. Moment by moment, they fell. Salty drops fell from her chin, drenching her shirt.

She intertwined their fingers. 

"If we're getting personal... I've never had a proper relationship. I was too set on finding that feeling, that feeling I felt when we were 13, but I never found it... I think we both know that I love you. I guess, we never stopped loving each other. Even if we didn't know it."

A look.
One look that portrayed so many conflicting emotions.

They love eachother but they don't know eachother. Not anymore.

Stan kissed Evie's hand, tasting salt on his drying lips, leaving her hand damp.

She looked into his eyes and gently placed her hand on his face. His tear stained face, mirroring her own. Finally, she delicately whipped his eyes.

"It's almost midnight... We should think about setting off for Derry soon. I booked 2 plane tickets leaving at 4am."

"Evie... I don't think that I-I-", Stan didn't think that he was strong enough. But Evie begged to differ.

"Stan you are the bravest loser I know... Please. You have to come", she pleaded. She needed him there, together they were both stronger. 

"For you.... I will."