Chapter 22

The recent events had brought to Andy's mind all those things he was trying to forget: Paul, Deirdre and now Katherine too. Undoubtedly, nothing was actually forgotten. It just wasn't in his thoughts all the time. Now, he couldn't think of anything else but the past. Katherine… A creature that came out of a fairy-tale. That's what he thought the first time he saw her. A fragile figure with the colour of the blue sky in her eyes. But although it seemed like she had everything, she was miserable. She grew up in an environment ruled by fear because of her father's cruelty. The problematic situations she had to deal with at home made her close her heart and not trust people. Andy believed that his love would be enough to cure her soul but he was wrong.

Even though he was always there for her willing to help any way he could, she was losing herself day by day in an abyss that had been swallowing her for years. In the end, she was lost permanently after a car accident. Andy always doubted it was an accident though. Deep inside, he feared that Katherine had made the choice to escape from her torture. She had used these exact words once but Andy did not take her seriously. He thought of it as a moment of weakness, he thought that for a while she couldn't take it anymore. The tragic end proved how wrong he was. Their last meeting kept coming back to him, making him regret that he didn't hold her in his arms and never let go. He blamed himself for not doing everything in his power to save her and the fact that he had let her down haunted him for years.

Erica looked at her phone. He hadn't answered her messages yet. She threw it in her bag, put on her jacket and hurried to the door.

''Leaving so soon?'', Timothy asked coming from the kitchen.

''I'm going next door to see if he's back. I am worried… He's in a bad mood since that party''.

''Should I go with you?'', he said embracing her. ''Andy is also my friend and I'm beginning to worry''.

''Come on''. A minute later they were knocking on Andy's door.

''Oh, the new couple of the building!'', he said when he opened it.

''He looks fine to me'', Timothy commented while Erica rushed into the apartment.

''Do you have any idea how worried we were? For two days now we didn't know where you were or if you were okay!''

''Thank you for your concern but I am a big boy''.

''Really? That's all you have to say?''

''Yes, because I want to be left alone. I need you to get off my back''.

''Hey, man! Erica is really worried about you. You shouldn't speak to her that way''. Andy gave a stunned look at Timothy and then went to Erica with a smile.

''I'm so happy for you, my girl'', he said kissing her on the forehead. ''Timothy is such a nice guy and he loves you a lot''.

''Andy…''

''Don't ever lose that'', he continued looking at both of them. ''It's a great thing to love and to be loved. Most people never find that. In fact, even if they do find true love, something gets in the way and they just lose it. I know of a few cases like this'', he said and going near the window he stopped speaking.

''Right… From your weird behaviour I come to the conclusion you discussed with Deirdre. What did she say to you?''. Andy, putting his hands in his pockets, leaned on the window with a sarcastic smile.

''What did she tell me? Wait a second… She reminded me that I ruined her life, that I sent my brother away, that I left the girl I loved once to die and that I generally destroy anything I touch… Oh, yes… She also asked me to stay away from Penny, because I'm going to hurt her, just like I've done to everyone who was unlucky enough to meet me'', he said with a bitter voice and turned to the window, so no one could see him anymore. Timothy stood by the door not sure what he should say or do but Erica went near Andy, touched his shoulder turning him towards her and gave him a hug.

''I've told you a thousand times and I'll tell you again: Stop blaming yourself for everything! You are not to blame for all the misfortunes of the world. That's life. Anything can happen, Andy. But you know what? There are things, like death, that we can do nothing about, because we are humans. But for the rest… What really matters is our choices. You may have made a mistake… But it's Deirdre who made the choice to break up with Paul and he made the choice to leave it all behind and go away. We are responsible for our own lives. Stop blaming yourself for their decisions. Don't allow the mistakes of the past to destroy your future. If you can make it right, then do it. If you can't, then forget about it and move on. Don't allow Deirdre's bitterness to poison your whole life. Fate has brought Penny into your life. If you truly love her, keep her close no matter what! After all, it is a rare feeling, isn't it?''. It was not the first time he heard these words from Erica. It was the first time though, he allowed them to enter his heart and heal it.

''Thank you for your friendship'', he whispered gratefully caressing her black hair while Timothy went near them.

''You should also not forget that you brought Erica and me close. No matter how much you have hurt others unwillingly, right now you stand in front of two people who are grateful to you, because you have done only good to us''.

''He is totally right'', Erica agreed.

''Thank you so much, guys'', Andy said with a happy smile. ''Can I leave you two here for a while? I need to make a phone call''.

''Are you sure you're alright?'', Erica asked him.

''Absolutely'', he replied and heading to his bedroom, he dialed a number on his phone.