Chapter 7
The next morning Amy woke up, & for the first time in months she's ok. Things don't seem as dark & dreary, she even puts on her wedding ring without too much hesitation. After Amy gets ready she leaves her room to get breakfast & sees Zach down the hall, hanging around & talking to a girl. From what Amy can see she's short, sort of dark, with long brown hair. She goes over to her friend & says, "Hey Blondie, who are you talking to?", the woman turns around & Amy can't believe it. It's Trish.
The two women exclaim in girlish squeals while Zach covers his ears. In the next couple of moments, so many things are said that to anyone outside of Trish & Amy, it would sound like rapid gibberish. Trish finally says, "I was here to surprise you, but you had to be an early bird!", Amy smiles & responds, "Yep, but how about I make it up to you over breakfast?", Trish nods & smiles before looking over at Zach, "Are you going to join us Zach?", she asks sweetly.
Zach makes sure he has his room key & closes the door, "Nah, I think I'll let ya catch up alone, have your girl talk & stuff. Besides, it's a good time to take care of some things I've been meanin' to do. Amy, you'll call me when you're ready, right?". She gives him a hug & smiles up at him brightly, "I sure will Blondie, but I think you should join us.". Zach hugs her back & says, "Ya'll be ok without me, besides I'm sure you'll get enough of me on the car ride Red. Great seein' ya again Trish. Bye.". Zach hugs Trish & walks off, leaving the girls to have breakfast.
After about 20 minutes, & a series of badly sung songs, the two women are in a small yet sophisticated restaurant waiting to be served. Trish fumbles through her menu for a moment before setting it down & asking, "So, you and Zach have gotten pretty close haven't you?". Amy, who's still trying to decide, answers absently, "I guess, but we've been pretty close for awhile.", Trish retorts, "That's not what I meant Amy.". Amy lowers her menu enough to glance at her long time best friend, "So what did you mean then Trish?".
Trish looks at her with a sly smile on her face, answers, "Come on Amy, I know we haven't seen each other or spoken in a long time but we're still best friends and I still know you. You were so flirty with him, I thought you'd kiss him right there.". Amy puts down the menu & sighs deeply, knowing she can't hide stuff like this from Trish, "So it was that obvious huh?". Trish grins widely & exclaims, "I knew it! You're burning for him aren't you?". Amy looks at Trish, rolls her eyes & responds, "No Patricia, I'm not 'burning for him'. Honestly I don't know what to feel. I like him, he's super sweet and everything, but at the same time he was John's best friend, he was John's best man at our wedding. He was pretty much John's brother! Something about it feels awkward, but at the same time it feels right. I'm so confused.".
After the waiter takes their orders & leaves, Trish says, "Amy, I'm your best friend, proud of it too. What I'm about to say is meant to be supportive and caring. Don't over-think this.". Amy's & Trish's eyes meet & the redhead asks, "What are you talking about?". Trish pats Amy's hand & answers, "Amy, you're a creative person, you're a thinker. You were with guys like Matt and Adam, guys that 'lived in the moment'. They turned out to be assholes anyway, but the point I'm making is that sometimes when it comes to making decisions, you over-think things. Heck, even ordering just now, you spent so much time thinking and then when the waiter came up you were just going on about what you think wanted. That was an easy choice, but stuff like this isn't. If you like the guy, do something about it before you miss out.".
Amy stares at Trish, trying to find words to say, but all that comes out is, "But, what if...?". Trish interrupts & states, "There's always what ifs Amy. You over thought things with John, you two spent months pretending to hate each other and what did it end up being for? Because you both were scared and you both did way too much thinking and not enough doing.". Amy looks down in her juice, & looks back up at Trish, "I'll do things when I'm ready, if that even happens. This might just be a temporary crush, and if it is I don't want to ruin things just because you want me to be impulsive like you.".
Trish smiles & says, "Ok Amy, your choice. If it was me I would have left to find him by now.". Trish stands up, takes a 20 out of her purse & starts to walk out. Amy asks, "Where are you going?", Trish answers, "To find someone special.". As Amy watches Trish leave she thinks, "This shit again? Some friend you are Trish.".