I was deadline meeting with Archie was set, and I was going to ask for an assignment on the west coast somewhere. It was odd that a magazine about castles had a North America division, but today I was grateful. All I had to do was make it through another week and I would finally be on my way back to her.
The final edits were great; I sent a few to Lennon. We’d texted a few times since she left—niceties only. Nothing about the kiss, nothing that screamed, ‘I miss you, come back to me.’ But I was holding out hope that I didn’t fabricate the magnetic pull between us.
Much like the first day I saw her, I strolled into the meeting with Archie first thing in the morning. And again, Lennon was the only thing on my mind. “Ahh, Theo. Great to see you again.” I swear Archie had some sort of non-official uniform going on, because every time I was here, he looked the same. Black-rimmed glasses and all.
“Your trip went well by the looks of these photos. I’ve marked the ones for production with the green tabs.”
There were dozens marked green, causing my chest to swell with pride. This was one of my favorite parts, having them comb through the photos for the best shots. Knowing that someone else believed in my work was always a high that I never wanted to come down from.
“Well, my boy, where to next? We have a few options that might interest you—Bavaria, Vienna—to name a few.”
“I was hoping to pick up some work back in America, on the West Coast, by chance?”
“America? You never take jobs there.” He narrowed his enlarged eyes at me from behind his glasses. He saw right through me, I was sure of it.
“What’s in America Theo?” There it was.
I couldn’t help but laugh. We had been working together for years; this job kept me moving, and he was the closest thing I had to a steady friend. It didn’t matter that he had about two decades on me. “If I give you the truth, will you give me California?” His shoulders rose, then dropped to his sides nonchalantly at my request, while waving his hand at my question.
“A few weeks ago, I ran into an old friend here. She was on her trip alone, so I invited her to stay with me while I worked on the itinerary. She lives in California.”
“And now you’re following her back there?” The look he gave me had amusement written all over it.
“It won’t be following her if I have work there.”
That’s what I was telling myself, at least, anything to seem the least creepy as possible.
He continued to stare at me. “If you say so. There are a few places on the West Coast that we can send you. You can take them all, and it will keep you over there for about six months or so.” He swiveled in his chair to face his computer and started plucking away at the keys to draw up the list for me.
“That sounds perfect. Thank you, Archie. I appreciate it.”
Six months. I could work with six months. I didn’t know what my end goal was. I knew I needed to be near her, in whatever capacity she would have me. I would also be lying if I didn’tacknowledge that there was a part of me that hoped I didn’t end up in the friend zone.
Once the meeting ended, I was back at my hotel trying to find anything to occupy my mind. For years I had lived out of suitcases, never staying in one place long enough to put down roots or to have a place of my own. I enjoyed the freedom I found in my career. Not having to think about anyone before disappearing to a new country. Behind a camera, I could lose myself and capture some of the most beautiful sites this world offered. Besides my equipment, there was nothing else to show that I existed. Normally, that was something I never thought twice about, but now, as I look around the empty room, doubt crept in.
Deep down, I knew that I'd been running away from the life I fell into, the one that I had forced myself to give up even though it meant I had to give her up too. I never had a reason to go back home. This could be the biggest mistake of my life. She could turn me away the second I turn up and this would all be for nothing. But if I didn’t go back to her now, I would spend the rest of my life wishing I had taken the chance.
It had been years since I even stepped foot in the states, and there was no way I could step on American soil without calling the only family I had. After a few rings, the line picked up.
“Hi, Ma.”
“Theo. Oh, it’s so good to hear from you. How are you, son?” My mother was the best kind of person. She was kind, warm, and nurturing. She loved me without condition, despite the hell I put her through in my younger years.
She and my dad had been married for forty years this year, and they spent their time in New England, at the beach and playing cards with their friends. Honestly, I didn’t know much about what they did, which was my fault. I’d been too wrapped up in my own world to remember there were people who still cared about me. But I knew that I missed them.
“I’ve been really good lately, Ma. Real good.”
“That’s wonderful, dear, and what country are you in now?”
“Scotland, but that’s why I was calling. I’m picking up work on the West Coast and thought I might stop by to see you and Dad first before making my way over.”
“Well, it’s good you called. We have some news, as well. Your dad and I are moving back to Fairvale!” I could hear my dad whoop in excitement in the background as my mom laughed.
If I could have anything in life, it would be to have what they have. A partnership that had only been strengthened by time. My parents were soul mates, which was not something most people could say about their parents. A sharp laugh escaped from me; fate was working overtime at my expense, and I did not intend to mess this up.
“That’s great Mom. It will be nice to see you both more often.”
“You too, son. What else is new? Meet anyone new in your life?” I may get along with my mom, but she was still a mom and frequently reminded me that I was alone.
