Carrots With Ketchup

Part 16

Meanwhile, Louis sat at the dining room table with Eleanor. They ate in silence, having some post-reception ice cream. Louis wore his sweat pants and a striped shirt while Eleanor was wearing her Coca-Cola pajamas. He ate slowly, wishing I hadn’t turned him away all those years ago. But it didn’t matter now. I was happy with Harry and he was finally getting married to Eleanor. We just weren’t meant to be.

Eleanor sighed and put her spoon in her bowl. “I think I’m finally beginning to understand, Lou.”

“Understand what, love?” Louis asked, setting his spoon in his bowl as well.

“What’s happening between you and Josée.”

Louis pulled a face. “What do you mean? We hadn’t spoken in over three years before tonight.”

“Exactly. You hadn’t been in contact if you could help it because you were avoiding each other. And then all she had to do was walk in the room tonight and whatever you two had been repressing came back. I saw how you looked at each other.”

“What are you suggesting?” Louis asked, anger building rapidly. Another one of their regular arguments was brewing and he was about to boil over. “Are you implying that I’m cheating on you? Being unfaithful?”

“No, Lou!” Eleanor protested exasperatedly. “Why do you get so angry so easily lately? Never mind. I know the answer.”

Louis got to his feet and walked to the doorway, leaning on the frame with his back to El. “And what’s that?” he sighed, still angry.

Eleanor stood too. “Because it’s not me you want. It’s her.”

Louis spun to face her. “What the hell makes you say that?” he yelled.

“Exactly this! You always get so defensive when I bring her up! I had it figured out last time, remember? Then you go see her and you come back and don’t talk to her anymore! Then she starts to ignore me!”

“So what?” Lou snapped.

“So I’m gonna guess you told her what I said and she rejected you! And then tonight, your argument, I’m betting you just had to rub in that you were over her, didn’t you? Well, guess what, Lou? You’re not over her! You can fool yourself but you can’t fool me! Nothing has changed, Lou! God, why can’t you see what’s right in front of you?”

Mentally kicking himself that El could guess so much correct, Louis sighed. Softening as tears streamed down Eleanor’s face, he went back and pulled her into a hug. “Babe, I’m sorry.  I had no idea you felt like this. But I love you, babe. Only you.”

Eleanor slowly pulled away from him. “Even now, you can’t see the truth. Listen to me, Louis. I’m calling off the engagement. This is the last time. Please don’t come back. I want you to be happy, Lou, and you’re so faithful and such a good boyfriend that you would never leave me for her.”

Lou put his hand on her face, giving in to the truth. “But what will you do? I won’t leave you alone.”

She held his hand to her face. “Lou, I’ll be fine. A guy I used to go to school with contacted me the other day and asked me out. I think I’m going to accept.”

“El-” he whispered.

“No. Shh. Just go to her, Lou. You need to tell her you’re done with the charade. She’s not happy with Harry. I can see that.”

“I can’t do that to Harry, though.”

“Louis, just go. Harry will be okay. Trust me.”

Louis hesitated, looking into Eleanor’s eyes. Then he leaned down and kissed her cheek on the corner of her lips. “Goodbye, El. Thank you,” he whispered turning and running out of the room.

“Bye, Lou,” she whispered back as she heard the front door close. She sat down at the table and began to cry again as the ice cream melted.