"Morning, Lucas."
"Henry! Welcome back. How was your trip?" The two men shook hands.
He sighed. "How do you manage to forget your feelings for someone who you thought would be your person?"
"That bad, huh?"
"Sorry for the question. I just know you have experience with...well I guess what I'm tr-"
"Henry, it's fine." The men sat down. "I loved Elizabeth. There's no point in denying that. I didn't forget my feelings. It'd be impossible to."
"Then how did you manage to get over her?"
"I guess I really didn't until she started pursuing Nathan. I mean, I had known something was off ever since I had decided to run for Governor. I assumed it was just because she had reservations about moving to Capital City. I never could've imagined that she'd loved him the whole time, but the second she broke up with me, I figured out why. So I tried to move on. It was hard, especially when Elizabeth and Nathan didn't even seem to be together. I guess, when I really realized she had fully moved on from me, was when I proposed the merging of the towns. During that town council meeting, they looked at each other in such a way, that I couldn't deny the love they shared.
So, knowing Elizabeth was probably worried about hurting my feelings, I told her that if life gave her the opportunity to be truly happy, she should jump in with both feet. That was one of the most painful things I've ever done. But after I did it, I felt a weight lift off my chest. It was my first step to truly moving on. But never mind that, sorry to vent. As far as I know, Henry, this is nothing like whatever happened between you and Abigail."
"You're right, it's not exactly, but-"
"Do you think that Abigail loves you?"
"Honestly, I don't know. I used to hope so, but now...this time it was her that pushed me away and I don't know if she'll ever take me back. I don't regret what I said. She needed to hear it, but I don't know. I might have lost her."
"Well from what you're saying, it seems like the ball is in her court, so to speak. If she really does love you, she'll do something about it."
"Thanks, Lucas. So what did I miss?"
Henry had been in a sullen mood for the whole rest of the week. Lucas had no idea how to help his friend, so he went to the one person who might have an idea.
Elizabeth heard a knock at the door. She opened the door, surprised to see Lucas on the other side.
"Hello, Elizabeth. Can we talk?"
"Come in. What is it?"
"It's about Henry."
"What seems to be the problem?"
"Have you kept in touch with Abigail lately?"
"Not recently, now that I think about it. Why do you ask?"
"I'm not sure if you knew this, but earlier this week, Henry left to go visit her. He said that she was hurting, and he needed to go be with her."
"Oh no. Her mother must've passed. I had no idea."
"Anyway, since Henry's came back, he's been acting different. He just seems very sad, and I was hoping you might have some insight as to what happened."
"Unfortunately, I don't, but I will talk to Abigail."
"Thank you, but I'm afraid I overstepped."
"You didn't. You're being a good friend. Thank you for letting me know."