Chapter 20
He didn't call her or see her for the next few days. He was still so angry and hurt that she wouldn't go with him. Finally, it was the day he was to leave. He was putting boxes into the trunk of his car, when he sensed someone watching him. He looked up and saw her standing there.
She was wearing white jeans that fell just below her waistline and a red tank top that emphasized her figure. Her dark hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail and she wore a trace of makeup.
"Hi." She said.
"Hi." He replied.
"I just wanted to say goodbye to you before you left."
He nodded.
"Are you all packed?" She asked.
"Just about."
"That's good." She hesitated, then handed him a small package. "Oh, I got you this for your dorm room."
He took it from her. He stared at the square package wrapped in bright blue paper. "Do you want me to open it now?'
She shrugged. "If you want to."
Slowly he unwrapped the paper to find a small, framed plaque. It was hand lettered and drawn. He recognized the drawing as hers. It was of a guy and girl. He could see the resemblance to the two of them, although they were more whimsical than life like. The figures were in obviously different locations, but their fingers were touching. The lettering beneath said: 'apart…together, now…forever.'
"I started that a while ago. You may not want it now, but since it was done, I figured I'd give it to you."
He just stared at the picture for a while, not speaking. She sighed, then turned and started walking down the street. He continued to hold the plaque, thinking, then looked up. When he saw that she wasn't there, he looked around and saw her walking away. He couldn't bear to see her walk away from him. He started to run.
"Marianne!" he yelled.
She turned around. He caught up with her then, but wasn't sure what to say. He just looked at her while she stared back, her dark eyes full of unshed tears.
"This," he said, indicating the plaque. "Is really great. I love it." He hesitated again, then with his head down, said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have put you on the spot. That's a big decision to make all at once. You've changed so much for me, it wasn't right for me to ask you to…"
"Oh, Greg, it was okay that you asked. It just isn't the right time, not now."
"I love you."
"I love you too." The tears were coming now. "I think I will always love you."
He pulled her into his arms and held onto her. They kissed frantically. She cried openly, soaking his shirt with her tears.
"Don't cry, baby. Please. We'll see each other soon. I promise. I'm not going to leave you. Believe me. Okay? OKAY?"
She nodded, sniffing to stop the tears. "I believe you, Greg."
They stood like that for a time, afraid to let go of each other. Finally she said. "You have to go. You need to get on the road before it's too late. I don't want you too tired to drive."
He touched her face once more, then said, "I know. It's just hard to let go of you."
They walked back to his car. She sat on the curb, while he went into the house to say goodbye to his parents. His mother came outside with him and hugged him, telling him to be careful and to call as soon as he got there.
Marianne hugged him too, burying her face in his shirt to inhale his scent one more time. She knew she would have to remember it for a long time.
He got into the car and started the engine. He smiled at his mother, then gave Marianne a long look before waving to the both of them and heading off down the street. He looked in the rear view mirror and saw her waving at him, sadness on her face. He took a deep breath to keep the tears from coming to him as well.
Marianne stood there waving at him and watching his car until it disappeared from view. She smiled at his mother, said goodbye to her and walked home. She had a feeling that would be the last time she saw Greg House.
That feeling was predicated on something she knew and some decisions she'd made. The week before, while Greg was not speaking to her, she had gone to El Paso for the day. Not to go shopping. She found a clinic, and, using a different name, had a check-up. After missing two periods, she was pretty sure what they would tell her. She was right.
She was pregnant.
She thought about telling Greg. She thought about what it would mean for them. She thought about what he had asked her. Going to live with him in Baltimore was a dream, a wonderful dream. But an unrealistic dream. This was her reality. A baby. His baby. But ultimately her baby and her responsibility.