Chapter 29
She was nervously drumming with fingers on the steering wheel of the car. When the green light flashed, she pushed the gas. Catherine was sweeping in New York roads for past an hour. She did not want to go home. She looked at her phone and saw a missed call alert. It was Jackie. She missed the call on purpose in order to avoid talking to her. At this very moment, she felt only hatred for her. Suddenly she turned side and parked the car. Going through her contacts and she tapped on a name.
-Come on... Come on... Where the hell are you?
No one answered. Getting frustrated, Catherine pushed the gas hard and moved freakishly passing by the cars. She was angry. She couldn't understand what happened. Only yesterday, they were planning a future together. Now, they are going to move on each other. Tears were going down her cheeks and chin. She could not stop herself. She had a chance for love and a happy life but now it is gone. Jackie is going to leave soon and move on with her life in LA with her girlfriend who is waiting for her. And she, Catherine, will stay in New York and continue on leaving alone again. The idea of going back to be alone again was devastating her. No matter how much she tries, she goes back to being alone eventually. She did not know whether she is angry with Jackie for leaving or herself for being lonesome.
Phone ringing stopped her thinking. When Catherine looked at the screen, she saw Alexandra calling back.
-Hi...
Her voice was breaking down.
-Hi. I'm sorry, I was in the shower. Are you OK?
-Umm... I don't know why exactly I called you. I need to talk to someone and the only person I could think of was you.
-It is OK. Where are you? Do you want me to pick you up or meet you at your place?
-I remember you living near Park Slope. Could you send me your exact address if it is OK for you?
-Sure, I'll text you my location.
-Thanks you.
After putting down her phone down, Catherine saw the message with location from Alexandra.
Half an hour later, Catherine was standing in front of the door. She was unsure whether she should go on and knock on it. Why is she here? Why would she go to Alexandra when having such a personal problem? She knew exactly why. Catherine wanted to talk to someone and did not have anyone else. She had no one to be open and sincere with. She was desperate.
It did not take much time the door to open when Catherine touched it with the back of her hand. Alexandra looked at Catherine with a blank face.
-Are you OK? You look pale as hell.
Catherine could not say anything. She felt her eyes to fill with tears. Alexandra step aside and let her come in.
When she was inside, Alexandra invited her to sit down on the couch and disappeared to be back with two glasses and a bottle of wine.
-I don't have anything stronger.
She held one of the full glasses to Catherine. Catherine took the glass and swallowed its content in one quick motion. When she put the glass on the table, she saw Alexandra looking at her with a puzzled face.
-One more?
She asked unsure.
-Yes, please.
While pouring wine, she asked.
-Should I wait till you get drunk or you plan to talk soon?
-I am sorry. It is just... I am upset. She is leaving...
Catherine's voice cracked down.
-What happened? Did you have a fight?
-We did but right after she told me she is going to leave.
-Permanently?
-Yes.
-Why?
-She came here because of a job offer. The project was canceled and now that she is jobless, she wants to go back to LA.
-I am sorry, Catherine.
-I can't believe her. She was the one to come back to my life and let me make plans about us. Why did she withdrew so quick?
-What did she say?
-She said, since there is no other reason for her to stay, she should go back to LA.
-Well, that's harsh. Hey... Probably, she did not mean it.
-Well, she did not neglect it either.
A silence emerged by which Catherine could conclude that Alexandra is thinking about what to say. Not waiting for her to come up with an idea, she started aggressively express her feelings.
-I believed that this time everything is going to be different. I hoped that our history would not repeat itself again. Right now, I'm where I was 3 years ago. It is Bloomington all over again. She left the school and made my life miserable...
-She did what?!
