Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
"Why didn't you say that from the beginning?" I ask.
"Because I couldn't admit to myself, that I had a problem with it."
That's what I thought. "So why now?"
"I realized I was treating you badly because of my own issues. I didn't want to let you leave angry at me, even though I deserved it. I apologize for how I've been acting."
As he says the last, he stands, pulls a small foil wrapped box out of his pocket and places it on the arm of my chair. "What's this?"
"A going away present," he tells me. "Something to remember me by."
I smile. "You don't really think I could forget you?"
"Of course not," he says with a smug grin. "I was being humble."
I pick up the box and lift the lid. Inside is a simple, silver I.D. bracelet, but instead of my name, the top is engraved with "Spain."
I'm confused, and the look on my face must give it away because he says, "Look on the back."
I turn the bracelet over and read what's engraved there: I'm ready whenever you are.
Tears well in my eyes even before I can feel the lump in my throat. "Bruce, this is . . . ." I stop when my voice starts to crack. The memory of how he comforted me that day, after Barry and I broke up, gives more force to my tears.
'What would you say if I told you I had two tickets to Spain?'I'd asked him
He'd answered without a moment's hesitation, 'When do we leave?'
At the time he didn't understand how much those four words meant to me. A few days later, he asked me about it, and when I explained it he simply said, "Count me in anytime," and neither of us ever mentioned it again. I can't believe he still remembers.
I drop the box and launch myself into his arms. His arms wrap around me the same way they did that day and all the other times he was there for me. "I'm going to miss you so much."
"I'm going to miss you too, Amy."