I straighten my shoulders, determined to move forward. "He messaged me and asked me to come back. Every day, sometimes multiple times. But he hasn't contacted me since Sophia's birthday. That was a week ago."
Elina doesn't respond, she just affectionately strokes my upper arm. It's all that's necessary because I already know what needs to happen next.
I jump off the cabinet and pull my shoulders back. "Josh is performing at the International Music Awards in Rome tonight." As soon as I say it, my stomach churns. "I have to go there to talk to him. I'll explain everything and ask for his forgiveness." The words leave my mouth in a rushed manner. Suddenly, breathing becomes difficult. "It just has to work," I add, because one thing is crystal clear to me. Without Josh by my side, I will never be completely happy.
Elina glances at her wristwatch. "It's nine o'clock. How are you going to make it?"
"I'll fly," I reply and immediately take out my phone to search for flights. "Look, here's a flight that lands at five o'clock. From the airport, I can reach the Colosseum in less than an hour, and Josh doesn't perform until nine. It's perfect."
The departure from Vienna is at 3:30 p.m. I have enough time to pack a few clothes. Satisfied, I press the booking button. The price doesn't matter to me. The main thing is that I'll be there on time.
"Fuck," I exclaim as soon as the booking page loads.
Elina peeks at my phone screen. "What's wrong?"
"Sold out," I say, disappointed, and close the page, searching for another flight. But there are none. The ones I could reach now are either full or won't arrive in time.
My fingers move frantically over the screen. "Maybe I can take the train?"
Elina is already searching as well, but she frowns unhappily. "It's too slow." As if to prove her point, she holds her phone in front of my face.
Indeed. The train journey from Vienna to Rome takes fourteen hours. I would only arrive shortly before midnight. "This can't be happening!"
Elina nibbles on her lower lip thoughtfully. "I've got it!" she suddenly says with a radiant smile. "You'll drive there."
"Without a driver's license?" I shake my head, mostly at myself. If I hadn't let myself go so much after my father's death, I would have that damn license. Then I could just get in the car and speed south. "How would that work?"
A mischievous grin spreads across Elina's face. "By me driving, Pippi."
"You would do that for me?" I ask with a trembling voice, tears of relief filling my eyes.
She shrugs as if it were just a minor thing. "My shift ends at 10 a.m. If you organize a rental car, I'm in."
I can hardly believe it yet, but it's really going to happen. Even though the schedule is more than tight. In a few hours, I will be face-to-face with Josh, and I will say all the things I thought I would never be able to express. An exciting tingle spreads within me.
I look at Elina conspiratorially. "Okay. Let's do it."
