The Empty Space Next to Me

Chapter 12

On the day of departure, Katherine is zipping the travel bag and Eliza is sitting right next to it, on the edge of the bed.

"Did we forget anything?" she asks.

"Dear, I'm coming back in three days — I hardly need half the things you put in there."

"I'm simply excited for you. It's the first time you're leaving the house."

Eliza watches her. "Yeah, I guess it's nice. But why do I have a feeling you're excited for you?"

She widens her eyes. Eliza snorts. "Don't give me that fake outraged look, I can spot it a mile away —it comes with experience. What are you plotting?"

Katherine smiles then mimes zipping her lips.

"Ooh, so it is something juicy?"

There is a knock on the door. Both turn as Steve pops his head in.

"Sorry to interrupt but we'll be late if we don't leave in the next 10 minutes."

"Thank you, dear." Eliza answers.

He grins politely and closes the door. Eliza's eyes dart back and forth between the door and the young woman.

"Hmm," she muses aloud. "So, it is something risqué?"

Katherine lets out a little sound. "I'm pleading the fifth!" she exclaims.

Eliza rolls her eyes. "Fine. Don't say anything," the woman gives up. She gets up and stands before her; her voice softens. "But let me tell you this: nobody deserves it more than you, and I'm happy for you...regarding that thing that is obviously not happening."

She winks at her, and Katherine pats her arm softly with a grateful smile.

The ladies come down the stairs where Steve is waiting by the door entrance. He takes the bag from Katherine and heads out to the car.

Eliza turns to Katherine.

"I'll take care of your house," she says.

"I know I could not leave it in better hands."

Katherine smiles warmly then leans in to hold her in her arms. "I'll miss you. Just come back soon."

She hears her smile. "But not too soon either," Eliza answers cheekily.

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Steve drops off Eliza at the stop and waits with her till the coach arrives. When it pulls over, he hands the bag over to the driver and turns to Eliza.

She pats his arms.

"Have fun," she says with a knowing smile and gets on the coach.

He smiles back and waves a bit awkwardly.

On his way back to the house, Steve grows nervous. The prospect of being all alone with Katherine is tantalizing as much as it is terrifying. He has been alone with Natasha a hundred times, more than he can count, but it is the first time the two will meet with romantic outlooks.

They have not really talked since she kissed him and the irrational concern she may have seconds thoughts about it begins to creep in.

He pulls over about an hour after leaving with Eliza and pauses, holding the wheel tight. He breathes in slowly, glances at his reflection in the rear mirror.

When he finally comes into the house, Katherine is watering Eliza's plants with much care. She steps out of the patio, and stares at him, standing still.

"Hey," she says.

"Hi."

It goes silent again. There they were thinking it would be easier when Eliza would be gone but now that she is they can't find anything to tell each other. It is like when you have been waiting to make that jump but you find yourself frozen at the edge of the cliff when the time comes. The exhilaration is so intense, much more heightened than what your mind could conceive, that it's paralyzing.