How do I fix this? How do I even begin to bridge the silence that’s grown between us like a chasm?
"Uh, Gabriel?"
A feminine voice pulls me from my thoughts. I turn around, startled, to find Kenna Feely standing just a few feet away, an eyebrow arched in curiosity.
"Oh. Hi Kenna. How are you?" I ask, forcing a smile, but it probably doesn't look genuine.
"I'm good, thanks for asking. But I feel like the better question ishow areyou?" She says, her tone shifting to something softer and more concerned.
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. How am I? Hell, I don't know anymore. I feel lost, sad, confused. I've let Millie slip through my fingers, and I don't know how to get her back. I feel like I've lost the love of my life, and I have no one to blame but myself.
"I'm ok," I say, but even to my own ears, it sounds hollow.
Kenna's eyes narrow as if she's not buying it. "Ok, look. I was being nice, but you can't bullshit a bullshitter. No one who's really ok stands in the middle of a grocery store, staring at coffee like it's the meaning of life." Her voice softens a little, but there is a directness to it that cuts through my defenses. "I don't know what's going on with you and Millie, but I can tell you're struggling. And I can see you care about her. I'm worried about both of you. So.." she pauses, her tone a little more serious, “Talk to me. What's going on?"
I sigh heavily, my chest tight. How do I even begin to explain everything that's happened? How do I put into words the mess I've made?
The guilt presses down on me like a weight, each mistake replaying over and over in my mind like a broken record. I want to tell her the whole story, but words fail me.
"I don't want to lose her, Kenna," I finally admit, the wordsspilling out in a rush. "I love Millie. I know I've screwed up. But I—I just don't know how to fix it."
Kenna's face softens. "Listen, I get it," she says, her voice quieting. "But you have to talk to her, Gabriel. Not me. Not anyone else.Her.If you care about her, you need to show her that. Don't leave things unsaid."
I nod, feeling a weight pressing down on me. "I tried. I really did. But every time I try to talk to her, she pulls away. It's like she's... slipping away from me."
Kenna considers this for a moment before giving a decisive nod. "Then stop waiting for her to come to you. If you want to fix this, you need to meet her where she is. Don't wait for her to reach out. Go to her."
I don't say anything for a beat, but I know she's right. The problem is, I don't know how to approach her without making things worse.
Kenna sighs and looks around at the aisles of coffee and tea. "Alright," she says, suddenly more businesslike. "You've got a lot to figure out, but I'm not going to leave you hanging. I want to help." She tilts her head and glances at Aura. "Tell you what—meet me at the salon in an hour. We'll talk. You can even bring Aura. I'm sure she'd love to hang out with me while we figure this out."
Kenna looks at me for a moment, measuring me up, before she nods. "I can do that. I'll meet you at the salon in an hour. If you don't show up, though…" She trails off, a serious look on her face.
"I have your address from when Millie first started working for you. Believe me when I say, Iwillcome to you. I'm worried about you. And for my little sister."
I let out a soft laugh, feeling a mix of gratitude and dread. "Alright. I'll be there."
With a small but firm nod, she walks away, leaving me standing in the coffee aisle with a hundred thoughts swirlingin my head. The task ahead of me feels monumental, but Kenna's words strike a chord in me.
Stop waiting.
I need to do something.
I need to act.
After that, grocery shopping is a blur. My mind is racing with thoughts of Millie and how I'm going to make things right. Can I? Is it even possible? I know I can't go back in time and undo the damage, but I can still salvage something.
I finish up, pay for the groceries, and head to my car, which is parked a few rows over. Aura's stroller fits easily in the car despite all the bags. I buckle her in before pulling out of the parking lot.
I drive to Enchanted Locks with a purpose, my fingers drumming anxiously on the steering wheel.
When I get there, I park behind the building. I pull Aura's stroller out of the trunk and roll it to the door.
The sign on the door says closed, so I knock. A few moments later, Kenna opens the door, looking like she was expecting me but still slightly surprised.
"I really thought you wouldn't show," she says, stepping aside to let me in. She quickly locks the door behind us.
She nods her head towards the back of the salon, "Come on in. We'll have more privacy back here. Plus, you can let Miss Aura out."
