They finished the Gondola ride and met back up with Sean and John.
*
THE SUN WASsetting when they left the park. Sean dropped off John, picked up Chester and Ginger, and took Kelly and Bernard to Bernard’s house.
“I wanted to thank you both for a wonderful day,” Bernard said. “It was eye-opening. I’m ready to move forward.”
Bernard hugged them both and waved as they left.
He filled Ginger’s food and water bowls. Bernard showered and got ready for bed. It was a long day. He’d had a great time. He still thought about what Kelly said. Kelly had opened up to him about his past, but still made it about Bernard. He wanted Bernard to be happy. He didn’t hit on him, flirt with him, he was a genuine friend. Kelly advised reaching out to Rory.
He put onWhen Harry Met Sally…. Harry and Sally, after bickering for years, fell in love with each other. He was in love with Rory. He wanted to be with him. The phone called to him. He yearned to call Rory and hear his voice. Time ticked by and he hadn’t decided. He needed to decide what to do. One call couldn’t hurt. One call could fix everything. One call could ruin everything. Everything rode on what he did next.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Bernard
Monday, July 20–Friday, July 24
BERNARD MADE HISway through another week of work without contact with Rory. He checked his answering machine every morning when he woke up. Nothing. He came home every day and checked it. Nothing. He took Ginger for a walk and checked it when he got home. Nothing.
On Wednesday evening Bernard met up with Kelly at the dog park. They met every Monday and Wednesday for their dogs’ play date. Time spent with his friend eased the tension in his stomach. The tension caused by his actions that had led to Rory’s absence in his life.
“How are you doing?” Kelly asked.
“Honestly?”
“Of course. I want to know how you’ve been.”
They sat down on the bench. Bernard took a breath. Kelly knew the situation and wouldn’t judge him. He was a wonderful man. He’d opened up to Bernard about his past. Nothing he could say would scare Kelly away.
“Not so good,” Bernard said. “I miss him so much.”
“I know you do.”
“I’ve been waiting to hear from him, but he hasn’t called yet.”
“He may need more time,” Kelly said. “There’s no telling how long it’ll take for his scars to heal. He’s close to his mother from what I’ve heard, so that had to be hard for him to hear.”
“I know. I just hope he can forgive me.”
Bernard would take any punishment imaginable as long as Rory forgave him. His heart pounded with every thought. Dogs barked in the park, happy to play with one another. He thought back to when he reunited with Rory. They’d watched Bonnie and Ginger play. So innocent and free. They had wanted that.
“You have to remember who raised him,” Kelly said. “That woman is horrible. I’m sure it’s hard for Rory to know what to think.”
“I wasn’t as patient with him as I could have been. I know what it’s like in the church, and I lashed out. I wish he could see what his mother is.”
“I’m sure with enough love and patience from you, he will. You need to let him know how you feel.”
“I will, I promise.”
“I trust you’ll do the right thing.”
“So, how are you doing?”
Bernard wanted to show support for Kelly. He was in a strange new place and needed a friend to reassure him he was in a safe place.
“I’m really good,” Kelly said. “I’m going to turn one of my spare rooms into a little library.”
