I turned onto my street coming back home from grocery shopping. As I approached my house, I saw Derek playing catch in the road with a little boy. I also saw a little girl making sidewalk chalk art on the driveway of his parents' house. Derek and the boy got out of the way when they saw me approaching. I waved to Derek as I passed him, and he waved back. I pulled into my driveway, and got out of my car. I opened my trunk as Derek walked over to me holding his baseball mitt.
"Hey."
I turned to him. "Hi."
"There're a lot of bags in there." Derek said pointing to my trunk.
"Well, someone has do the grocery shopping around here, and it's not going to be my mother."
"You don't even know how to cook."
"That's a lie. I do know how to cook."
Derek laughed. "You're lying. You're a horrible cook. You can't even make a grilled cheese without burning it."
"Correction, I used to be a horrible cook. I'm actually good now. You and your mom would be proud."
"I won't believe it until I see Meredith Grey in the kitchen making something edible."
"Come over for dinner then."
He thought about it. "Okay, not tonight. How about tomorrow?"
"Fine with me. So, who're the kids?"
Derek looked their way, and then back at me. "Emily and Brandon; Nancy's two. They get to spend the day with their favorite uncle, isn't that right Emmy?"
"I like Uncle Travis more!" The little girl responded.
I giggled. "Doesn't sound like you're the favorite uncle after all."
"Well I would be if I was home more."
We both watched as the little boy rode his bike up and down the street. "They're cute."
"Yeah, they are. They know they are too, which is not good because they know how to use their cuteness to get what they want."
I giggled. "You always have been a push over."
"No I'm not."
"Why do you think I always got what I wanted with you?"
"Not always."
"Fine, like 99.9% of the time. Anyways, I need to get these groceries put away. Enjoy the rest of the day with your nice and nephew. I'll see you tomorrow."
I was excited for Derek to come over for dinner. I decided I'd make chicken spinach orzo, with a lemony sauce. I heard my doorbell just as I poured the orzo into the boiling pot of water. I set a timer, and then went to answer the door. I gave Derek a warm welcome and offered him inside. He followed me into the kitchen.
"So, dinner will be ready shortly." I grabbed a big spoon to stir the orzo in the pot.
"You actually are cooking." Derek said. "Honestly, I'm shocked. I was half expecting to see empty take-out containers in the trash."
"I told you I can cook. Do you want something to drink? I have water, soda, beer... We could open a bottle of wine or champagne. That would go well with the dinner."
"I'm fine for now. So, what's on the menu?"
"Well, it's chicken orzo with spinach tomatoes and a lemony sauce."
"What's orzo?" Derek asked.
I turned to him and laugh. "You're kidding right?"
"No, I'm not."
I turned the stove off when I heard the buzzer. "It's a rice size pasta."
Derek stood behind me as I dumped the water out of the pot. "Ah, I see."
"So, when are you going back to New York again?" I asked.
"Friday. Program begins Monday, so no idea when I'll be back visiting."
"I really enjoyed the other day at the carnival. We should do something like that again."
"We should." Derek agreed. "It was fun."
Once I finished making dinner, Derek and I sat at the dinning room table together. I had opened a bottle of wine since it went perfectly with the dinner. Derek and I talked about a number of things. We discussed med school and our future programs. We also discussed family. Derek talked about his sisters and their families. I told Derek how I might speak to my sisters three times a year to say happy birthday to one another.
"It's just kind of depressing how close we were growing up to be practically strangers now."
"Why don't you make the initiative to make amends?" Derek asked.
"I have. They'll always believe I'm in the wrong." I sighed. "Can I tell you something? Growing up, I was always envious of you because you had the perfect family."
Derek laughed. "My family is far from perfect."
"No, my family is far from perfect. Yours though, you have the perfect family."
"You know they were always your family too."
"It's not the same."
Derek and I moved out to the backyard when we finished eating. It was a perfect night. The moon was shining bright, and you could see some stars. We sat on the outdoor couch going down memory lane when we were much much younger.
"Do you remember when we first met?" I asked.
"I vaguely remember my ball going over your fence. Mom and I went over to your house to get it, and you refused to give me my ball back."
"You shouldn't have kicked it over the fence."
"After that, I remember whenever my sisters and I were playing out front, you'd come out and just welcome yourself to the game."
"You can't blame me. I was all alone in that house with either my mom or nanny. I needed child interaction."
I looked at Derek. I saw the reflection of the moon in his blue eyes. I miss Derek, both as my friend and boyfriend. I think he feels the same towards me. I don't know what came over me next. I don't know if it's because of how perfect the night was or because I drank wine... Maybe it was both.
I kissed Derek.
Derek quickly pulled away."Meredith, I can't. I have a girlfriend."
"What?"
"Addison. We've been together for a year and a half."
"Oh..." I felt stupid and embarrassed. He doesn't feel the same. "You've never said anything."
"I know, I was going to. I'm sorry if I was giving you mixed messages."
"You should go." I told him. "I'm really tired and need to clean the kitchen up before mom comes home and has a fit."
I stood up from the couch. Derek reached for my arm. "Meredith, wait."
I jerked my arm away. "Derek, I'm happy for you. I wish you and Addison the best."
I walked Derek to the door. He thanked me for dinner. When I shut the door, I ran up to my room, and cried into my pillow like a teenage girl. I can't believe Derek is dating someone.
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