Tightrope

Chapter 6

Previously:

She leaned toward him and kissed him again. "I love you, too, Can. I'm going to miss you so much," she said with another kiss. "Thank you for coming to see me. I didn't want that to be the last time I saw you before I left."

"I wasn't going to let that happen, Sanem. Now I'd better go--I don't want you to get in trouble."

She kissed him again, "You're worth all the trouble in the world, Can."

He held her face and kissed her forehead. "I love you, Sanem," he said, and she watched as he walked away from her.

***

Istanbul, June 2007

Can hadn't been to the treehouse in the two days since she left. He missed her so much, her absence was a physical ache in his chest. As he was standing in the foyer, debating whether or not to visit the treehouse, the doorbell rang, so he answered it. A woman stood there smiling at him. She was one of those people who had a happy face and a calming aura. He smiled back at her. "Hello. How can I help you?" he asked politely.

She took a minute to take him in. Her face changed as she looked at him, and Can thought she looked a little sad. As if she realized the change in her emotion at the same time, she quickly put her smile back on. "Hello! You're Can, aren't you. I've heard so much about you!"

He was surprised that this woman he'd never seen before knew who he was. "Yes, I am. I'm sorry I don't know who you are."

"Oh, well, you wouldn't! You were very young last time I saw you. I'm a friend of your father's," she said. "Is he home? Would you be a darling and get him for me, please?"

"Of course! I'll go get him," he said, turning to go find Aziz. He turned right back around and said, "I'm so sorry. Please come in and wait in the study. I'll show you where it is." After he led the woman to the study and made sure she was comfortable, he went in search of his father.

He found Aziz in the kitchen. "Baba, there's someone here for you. A woman. She says she's a friend of yours."

"Oh? What's her name?" Aziz asked. He rarely got unannounced visitors.

"I'm sorry, Baba. I forgot to ask. But she's waiting for you in the study. I'm going out to the treehouse," he said.

"Son, how are you doing? I know you miss her." Aziz asked, putting his hand on his son's shoulder.

"I do miss her. This is officially the longest we've been apart in 10 years. I just want her to come back. I feel like my heart is missing."

Aziz took the opportunity to ask Can how he felt about Sanem. "Son, there's more than just friendship between you, isn't there."

Can looked down at his hands fiddling with the towel on the counter. "Yes, Baba." He looked up at his dad. "There is. We're in love, and we're so happy together."

Aziz smiled at Can. "And I'm happy for you, son," he said, clapping him on the back. "She's a good girl, a beautiful girl, and she has always made you happy, from the first moment you saw her."

Can smiled at the memory. "Yes she has," he said, smiling from ear to ear.

Aziz stroked his son's head and held the back of his neck. "Just remember what I told you on that first day--it's your job to protect her."

"I know, Baba. I always have and I always will. I'd rather hurt myself one thousand times than hurt her," he said.

"I know you will, Can. You're growing into a fine young man, and I'm proud of you." He pulled Can forward and kissed his forehead. "Now I better not leave my mysterious guest waiting any longer." With a final pat of Can's shoulder, Aziz headed to the study.