The Difference

Chapter 39

"Everything okay, dear?" Ellen questions, startling me. I remove a hand from George's car as if I had been caught doing something wrong.

"I'm sorry to sneak up on you," she starts again, shutting the side door to the garage behind her.  "Troy is looking for you."

"Oh, okay. I should go then," I say, crossing my arms against my chest and making a b-line for the door. Ellen reaches a hand out, stopping me, as I pass her.

"It's not too late," she whispers, giving me a friendly smile. I let out a nervous laugh as she elaborates, "his heart is still yours, Rosemary."
I rush out of there as Ellen opens the garage door and pulls her Porsche out.

Her words are enough to break me and I feel as though I have as I step into daylight and can hardly find the words to describe my emotions. I consider calling Ava but I'm not even sure what I would say to her. I decided I'm still in love with Troy? He bought me a dress for every occasion of the next year of my life? I'm going to go pursue this? Have a great day?

I let out a little laugh and decide this is what I want. I finally have the courage to follow my heart and go get him back. I can't think about not being with Troy anymore. Not for a second longer. The dresses he had hidden away for me, for us, are the reassurance I need to know he still feels the same way.

At this point, I'm not sure what I'm going to say, but I decide to just find him and let it all out there.

"There you are!" I hear his voice before I see him as I step through the front doors of the palace. I'm out of breath from all the walking as I've been sitting on the couch for countless days watching Friends and trying to relax. I smile as he comes into view.

"We were looking everywhere for you!" He says, concerned.

"Well, now that we're here together, can we talk?" I question, reaching a hand out to him.

He looks nervously to the side and then I see her; Isabel.

"Hey!" She says, obliviously.

"Hey," I respond, looking down at my feet, embarrassed.

"Rosemary, I think we got off on the wrong foot. I really hope we can still be friends. All of us," she says, grabbing the hand I was reaching for on Troy.

"I'd really like that," I lie, taking a step back from them.

"Great! Well, babe, I'm gonna go meet with the florist, but I will see you for dinner later," she says, kissing him on the cheek, leaving a bright red stain on his clean-shaven face.

He instinctively reaches for the smudge to rub it off, like a child does when his mother kisses his cheek.

"Rosemary, want to walk me out?" She offers and I feel like I don't have a choice.

"Sure," I say, not knowing what I'm getting myself into.

She links her arm in mine and asks, "how are you feeling since the accident?"

When we turn the corner, she unlinks our arms and brushes hers off, shuttering.

"Now, listen here," she starts.

"Oh Jesus," I say, not even trying to hide my feelings.

"I don't know who you think you are, but you are not my friend," she says, unsure of her words.

"Noted. Are we done now?" I reply.

She grabs my arm and pulls me closer but I'm not frazzled. I shake her off.