When a few days turned into four Garret became worried. He tried to call Jen several times, but only got her voicemail. She didn't return his calls and that made him worry even more. When she finally did call him back, she only said things were taking longer than expected and that she probably wouldn't be back until sometime the following week.
Late one evening Garret sat alone in his office…soft jazz played in the background while he nursed his scotch.
"I didn't realize I was the only one here."
Garret looked over and saw Jordan standing in the doorway. Smiling he motioned for her to come in. "What are doing here so late?"
She sat on the edge of his desk and took a really good look at him…he looked tired. For the last few days he had been distracted and edgy. She knew this had to do with Jen…she wondered why did relationships have to be so complicated. "I had to run a few things in Trace. What are you still doing here?"
"Just nursing this drink." He raised the glass up before taking another sip.
"I'd say your nursing more than that drink…maybe a broken heart too." When he didn't say anything Jordan pressed on. "So…when is Jen coming back?"
"Sometime next week…she said things were taking longer than expected."
She watched as he filled his glass again. Of all the relationships he had been in, this one seemed to hit him the hardest. She remembered when he first started seeing Lily and how he hurt her when he 'reconnected' with Maggie again. Then there was Renee…he ended up getting burned on that one. Ever since then he played things cautious until Jen came into the picture.
"Garret…I hate to see you like this. I'm not sure what's going on and I don't want to know, but you need to fix this."
His eyes shot in her direction, "I'm not the one who needs to fix this…besides, who said there was a relationship." There was a hint of anger in his voice.
"Look…I'm not saying this is your fault, but somebody needs to make the first move. For a time it seemed you two…well…were right for each other." She paused and looked at him. "Do you want to lose her?"
"No, but…"
Jordan slid off the desk and leaned in, kissing him on the forehead. "Give some thought about what I just said. Your what she needs." She smiled down at him and left him to his thoughts.
As soon as Nigel arrived for work the next morning, Garret cornered him. "Nigel…I need your help with something…just between the two of us."
"Sure Dr. M…what'd you need?" He took the paper that was handed him and looked back at Garret puzzled.
"I realize what I have here is minimal, but I need to you find out where she is. Can I trust you to keep this to yourself?"
"Of course…I'll start right away. It may take awhile, but I'll get you something."
"Thanks Nigel." He left Nigel to his work. Maybe now was the time to cash in some of those vacation hours.
Later that afternoon, Nigel gave him the information he needed. Garret booked the next flight out and was lucky there had been a cancellation so he could leave early the next morning. He informed Jordan what he was doing and left her in charge. Unless there was an emergency he didn't want to be contacted.
Garret arrived in Ohio late morning and by early afternoon he was standing outside the front door of her family home…a one-story brick adorned with beds of flowers and bushes. It was situated in a row with similar looking homes and the one thing he couldn't get over was just how peaceful it was…a far cry from Boston.
He hesitated before ringing the doorbell, knowing full well that she was going to be upset with him for coming…for invading her privacy. Pushing the button, he waited a few seconds before the door opened.
