Three
They stood in silence for what seemed like an eternity. Ric made the first move, taking the first step towards Kendra. She awkwardly stepped out into the street to meet him. They stood face to face, amazed to be looking at each other.
"Ric." She smiled and touched his face. "Ric." It came out as a whisper; the wind carried his name away with it.
He closed his eyes at her touch.
"Where have you been?" she asked.
Ric opened his eyes, wondering if he could find his voice. "I—"
"Ric?" A figure approached them. A younger version of Ric—same dark hair and eyes. Jake, his little brother. Ric looked at Kendra and Jake—two people who were distant memories just a few minutes ago, but now standing in front of him.
*
Liz stood outside her studio with her arms wrapped around herself. She was dressed in a red dress. Her hair was curled and her make-up done. She looked up and down the street for any sign of Ric. There was none. She checked her watch. Ric was more than twenty minutes late.
"Elizabeth?" Lucky Spencer came walking up to her. "What are you doing out here?"
"Oh, hey, Lucky." She suddenly became very embarrassed at the situation, feeling that maybe her fear was true—Ric had stood her up. "I'm just waiting for Ric."
Lucky smiled at her. "You and him getting serious?"
Liz shrugged. "We're just getting to know each other."
"I've seen you two together," Lucky said. "Seems like a lot more than that."
"You know, I forgot something in my studio." Liz turned away from Lucky. "It was good seeing you, Lucky."
"Have fun tonight." Lucky squeezed her hand before leaving.
Liz waited until he was out of sight before covering her face with her hands, hiding the tears.
*
Ric sat with Jake and Kendra in the hotel's restaurant. The three had barely said anything to each other, unsure on where to begin.
"How are Mom and Dad?" Ric asked.
Jake cleared his throat uneasily. "They passed away in a car accident last year."
Ric lowered his eyes.
"They didn't stop looking for you, you know," Jake said. "They just wanted to see you again."
"Jake, please don't," Kendra said softly.
Jake ignored her and raised his voice. "Was it too hard for you to let us know you were alright?"
"I never meant—" Ric didn't know how to continue.
"You never mean anything, Ric." Jake looked at Kendra. "Isn't that right, Kendra?"
She sighed. "I know you're upset, Jake, but remember we came all this way. We're different people now with different lives and—"
Ric suddenly stood up. He checked his watch, realizing that it was almost nine. He had let his date with Liz slip his mind.
"What's wrong?" Kendra asked.
Ric stared at Jake's angry expression, knowing that this was not the right time for a heart-felt reunion. He wondered if there ever would be one. "You're right, Kendra. We are different people now." He turned and left the restaurant.