Disclaimer: Tom Lynch owns characters
Author's note: Hello readers! (hopefully there is more then one) FEEDBACK is much appreciated; let me know what you guys like/dislike. If there is anything you would like to suggest, feel free to message me. If my story completely blows, feel free to write that too. ANY review is helpful and motivates me to write. Okay, I am done blabbing… on with the story.
*Previously on Repairing the Damage…
That does it, I am out of here. Adios Lala land! Bonjour Pari!...
WELCOME TO INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES FLIGHT 69A TO PARIS. WE WILL ARRIVE IN APPROXIMENTLY 11 HOURS. OUR FLIGHT ATTENDENTS WILL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU IN ORDER TO MAKE YOUR FLIGHT A COMFORTABLE AND ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE. THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES, ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT…
"Hey, can I get you a drink or anything?"
"Vodka on rocks?"
"Nice try, we are still in L.A."
"It was worth a shot…no pun intended."
"Haha, you're a comedian."
"It just comes naturally…"
"Well Mr. Mendel, I expect to be entertained for the next 11 hours then…"
"Oh, Ellen's got jokes!"
"The name is Spencer, actually."
Chapter 2: Unveiling Reality
"Sspenncerr?" I drew out in a questioning tone, "Like the store?"
"Haven't heard that one before…" Don't roll those ice blue orbs at me… And I thought I told her sarcasm was my thing?
"Isn't that a guy's name?"
"It's unisex, just like yours." She has an explanation for everything doesn't she?
"Excuse me? How many guys do you know named Ashley?" –OH FUCK!- Rewind! You did NOT just reveal yourself Davies. It isn't safe until you reach foreign soil!.. Wait a minute she already knew?
"Actually, there were a few guys at my sch-
"Wait a minute; you knew who I was this whole time?"
"What?" Oh don't play dumb. You so don't fit the 'dumb blonde' stereotype…
"You knew my name was Ashley before I introduced myself"
"Well yeah, doesn't everybody?"
"I guess, whatever… just forget it." That may have come out a little harsher than planned.
"Look, I am not going to disclose any information about your trip if that's what you think. I am not that kind of person and your business has nothing to do with me."
"Thanks." Davies you're such a jackass. Did you have to go bipolar on the innocent flight attendant?
"I don't blame you for wanting to get away, you've been through more than the average person can handle." Did yoda just board the plane?
"You think I'm above average?" Why do I suddenly feel so vulnerable?
"Yes, I do. It is hard for a lot of people to understand what it's like to loose someone you love. It's like your suffocating… you feel like there's no possible way you can get through it…" As I watch Spencer's bright eyes darken and swell up with tears, I get the urge to make all of her pain go away. Hurt should be arrested for violating her.
"Who did you loose?"
"My brother, school shooting."
"Isn't that shit so unfair? A 'freak accident.' Just like my dad, in the wrong place at the wrong time. It fucking sucks."
It was silent for a while, a comfortable one. Well, as comfortable as a silence after bringing up death can be. I haven't talked about dad out loud in a long time. Flashbacks of memories flooded my head and I am sure Spencer was in the same reminiscent trance. When my mental memorial ceased, I glanced up to see if Spencer was okay. She is tracing a deep circular scar on her left bicep with her pointer finger. That is when I put two and two together…
"Spencer, you were in the shooting?" Although the scar answered my question, Spencer's slight nod confirmed it and ignited a sting in my chest. It was like telling a three year old that Santa Claus isn't real. I just sat there staring into the strongest, bluest pair of eyes I have ever seen, waiting for an explanation.
"It happened my junior year, on prom night… I would have been in Clay's position if he didn't…" I couldn't take it anymore, before my mind could register what I was doing, I placed my hand over hers and hoped that it would give her a sense of comfort.
"It's okay, you don't have to…"
"What kind of selfish bitch let's her brother take a bullet for her? He had so much potential… he was going to Harvard in the fall…" Why did it hurt me so much to see her beat herself up like this?
"Spencer, there is no way you can possibly blame yourself for this. You didn't ask Clay to save you; he did it because he loves you. He knew the potential You have and he saw a precious life that couldn't end. Clay is a hero. He possessed a strength that some trained military men can't develop. And you know he wouldn't have been able to live with himself if you passed away, and he knew he could have saved you. Your brother wouldn't want you to beat yourself up over something that he chose to do. "
"You should be a psychiatrist."
"After 2 years of therapy, I guess you sort of become one…" A smile accompanied by dimples… I guess that is a good sign. Jeez, I thought I was screwed up… Poor Spencer…
"Not true, I have the same sentence under my belt... You've got a gift Ashley... I'm sorry for dumping everything on you. I mean we've only known each other for what, an hour? And I am practically telling you my life story…" Is she seriously apologizing? I feel honored just being in her presence…
"Are you serious? I'm the one who needs to apologize… I wish I could do more to help" OK I am scaring myself, did I REALLY just say that out loud? Was that an act of… sincerity…compassion?
"Are you kidding me?" Before I could register what was happening, Spencer pulled me into an embrace… Suddenly this numbness ruled my entire body… the feeling was familiar yet distant at the same time… I felt high, but a different kind of high… similar to the one I used to get but… better. Maybe this is what it feels like to be alive…
"What?" There's that smirk… I hope it stays now. I must have dazed look on my face…
"I feel so a- Don't freak her out Davies!- confident that I'll find what I am looking for."
"Me too." Why is her smile so enchanting? WAIT- what does she mean her to?
"What do you mean?" Hey don't leave me here all alone!
"I'll be back…I haven't finished my rounds. You've set me back an hour Davies!" Damn, I forgot she was working… That smile keeps pulling me away from reality…