4 – Blue Rodeo

"And then I said, if you can't keep your hands to yourself, you won't be able to play on Saturday night. At which point, the idiot said, play what? Really? The guy's a guitarist."

"So, what did you do?"

"Well, I had his fingers bent back, so I gave an extra little push. I think he finally got the message when he heard the crack."

"You didn't? Did you? Really? Did you break his fingers?"

"Na. Just cracked the knuckles, but it still gave him a scare. He wasn't a happy camper, but I think he'll think twice before putting his hands on my ass again."

"Ladies." Henry emerged from his office to interrupt the conversation between Kelly and Samantha.

"Hi Henry," Samantha smiled from her bar stool while Kelly preened at her successful rebuff of unwanted attention. "Have you heard from Ethan? He transferred up to Red River last week and has been, as he calls it, "in-country". What does that mean, anyway?" She looked at Kelly. "I just know that I can't get in touch with him."

"In-country is a slang military term." Henry answered competently. "It means to be on a job somewhere foreign and out of communications. Wasn't he taking a tour group deep woods camping?"

"Yes, but I didn't think I wouldn't hear from him?" Samantha's brow furrowed as the historian pouted.

Henry lips quirked up knowingly. Maybe she was finally catching on. Ethan had a huge crush on her and for the past few months had tried, unsuccessfully, to attract her attention, but she never saw beyond the friendship. He had planned this trip in the hopes of getting her out of his system, but maybe, she was finally missing him the way he wanted her to. What did Kelly call it? Complicated. He shook his head as he went to check the bar stock.

"I just did that." Kelly smirked stopping Henry as his phone rang.

"This is the Red Pony," he answered. "Home of the best buffalo burgers and cheesy fries in the state." He grinned as Kelly rolled her eyes and wandered down the bar.

"Buffalo burgers? Really? And, you made a comment about riding zebras?" I snorted.

"Julia!" Henry's casual lean on the counter suddenly jolted upright and attentive.

Kelly and Samantha both turned, eager to hear more.

"Where are you? How are you?" he asked, wincing, knowing he sounded anxious.

"I'm fine. I've been pretty busy. I got my new appointment. Not what I wanted, but it keeps me connected."

"Are they sending you back?"

"No." I knew my disappointment showed. "But, they did offer an interesting option. I'm to act as a consultant in East African affairs. I lived there for over twenty-five years in different communities. I'm classified as an expert in the culture and of the political situation that exists." I tried to sound enthusiastic. I failed.

"I did not think you were into politics?" he asked moving into his office to avoid prying ears, getting comfortable behind his desk, leaning back in his chair and kicking his feet up onto the corner.

"I'm not." I smiled. "But there is not like here. You really don't have an option but to be aware of the situation. Politics often controls who gets help, who gets disregarded, or who gets attacked. Consider yourself lucky that you don't live in a society where every second person is carrying a semi-automatic weapon."

Henry drew a slow, deep breath. What had she lived through? "You know this is the first time you've call me?"

"I know. E-mails are much easier, and the past couple of weeks have been difficult. A lot has happened. I really wanted to hear your voice."

Henry pinched the bridge of his nose with his right hand as his chest tightened. He didn't like the feeling that was coming over him. Sadness. Disappointment. She wasn't coming back. Had he really expected her to? He had no reason to think that?

"So, you are staying in New York, then?"

There was a pause, and a click and whir of a machine. "Henry," I began quietly, uneasily. "I could use a friend."

Henry closed his eyes and tipped his head back against the chair. "You've got one." He said quietly.

That smooth, even voice had my throat tighten.

"Good." I pressed the button, Blue Rodeo's Bad Timing, the harmonica and acoustic guitar strummed quietly over the speaker.

Hey, it's me, what a big surprise, calling you up from a restaurant around the bend.

I just got in from way up north. I'm aching tired now and I could use a friend.

Henry took his phone from his ear and looked at it, then listened carefully.

I might be a fool to think that you do want to see me again.

His feet hit the floor, the phone back to his ear as he strode out of his office and into the bar.

It's been awhile since I talked to you, nothing wrong just nothing ever goes as planned.

Many times I thought I'd call. I didn't have your number in my hand.

His chest swelled as he lowered his cell phone and closed it.

I smiled, uncertainly, leaning up against the jukebox as the song played. I had hoped that I wasn't going to make a fool of myself, that it wasn't just talk inviting me back - that he meant it.

I closed my phone too, and waited. Who would make the first move? I didn't have to wait long.

With the slow strum of guitar, Henry stepped forward, reaching out his right hand. I put my hand in his, and he pulled me close. Swaying to the music, he wrapped a strong arm around my shoulders. I could feel my strength wane, so I just leaned in, absorbing his.

"So, you need a friend?" I could hear the smile in his voice.

"Yes." I nodded against his chest, listening to his heart.

"You have one," he reassured. "What about your job?"

"Ah." I grinned up at him. "The beauty of that is that they gave me the equipment. They didn't need me to stay in New York. I can be anywhere. I just need to stay in touch and be available."

"Really?" He grinned back.

I nodded. "In the past few months, of all the places I've been, Wyoming is the only one I've wanted to come back to."

Henry took a slow, deep breath, smiling satisfactorily as we moved to the music.

"There's a lot about me that you don't know," I continued. "I've done a lot of things, been a lot of places. I can't just sit down and tell it all in one shot. It would be too much."

"It is what it is, then. I am glad you are back. I would like to get to know you better. I'm patient. You'll tell it when you are ready."