Chapter 28- Just Go Away!
834 Words
Deep into her studying, it barely registered to Elise when there was a knock on the front door. Elise knew she wasn’t expecting anyone, so why get up? She heard Andrea talking and figured she must have been expecting company. Putting away her notes, she began to take out her information from today to write her critique of her practical experience. Thank goodness this week’s patient had a better outcome. Elise had actually made a counseling appointment with the school counselor for Wednesday after class to deal with her grief issues that had reared their ugly head last Monday. Better to deal with it now than wait until it caused further issues in her life.
Elise heard a knock on her door and said, “come in.”
Andrea poked her head in and said she had company downstairs. Elise looked at her funny, because she didn’t get company. “Who is it, a Census taker?” Elise laughed quietly at her own joke before Andrea answered her.
“No, I’m not sure who he is, but he brought you flowers and claims to know you from high school.” Andrea shrugged. “I let him in and said I’d go get you.”
“OMG. How the h*ll did he get my address?”
Andrea seemed taken aback because she was just the messenger. “Umm… I don’t know?”
“Okay.... I’m not upset with you Andrea, I’m sorry. I just hoped I’d never see him again after I moved. I’ll come down shortly. Umm can you stall him for just a couple minutes? Pretty please?”
“Of course Elise. I’ll talk to him for a few. You okay?”
“I’m not sure… I may need a drink after this is all said and done.” Elise looked in the mirror before she realized what she had done. Why the h*ll do I care what he thinks? If I look like a troll, maybe he will go away? Elise made her way downstairs and sure enough, there stood Kenny with a bouquet of flowers in hand. Kenny was talking quietly to Andrea but looked up and smiled as she came down the stairway.
“Thanks Andrea.” She squeezed Andrea’s shoulder then wasted no time turning toward Kenny. “Kennith, what are you doing here and how did you get my address?”
Kenny’s face went serious like someone had slapped the smile right off his handsome, privileged face. “I’m sorry for intruding. I just wanted to say thank you for helping my Gram. You really won her over today. She wouldn’t stop telling me how sweet you were. Gram said you’ll make an excellent nurse.”
“Okay, your welcome... now you can leave!” Elise crossed her arms and glared at him.
“Look Eli, I know I’m not your favorite person. I brought the flowers to apologize for the way I treated you the night we broke up. What I did was uncalled for and I’m sorry.”
Elise was stunned. Her eyes grew big and her mouth hung open in shock. The Kenny she knew didn’t apologize to anyone. Especially someone he saw as beneath him. Elise thought for a bit, took a deep cleansing breath to calm herself, then decided to be the bigger person. “Okay Kenny, you are forgiven. Thank you for the flowers and the apology. It means a lot. Now if you would, please leave. I have work to finish yet tonight.” Andrea moved towards the door but stopped when he began talking again.
“Look, I know we can never repair what we had, but a friend from the hospital told me you aren’t dating anyone and gave me your address to apologize. Can I take you for a cup of coffee or a meal? You still like ice cream?”
Again shocked and unsure how to respond, Elise thought a few seconds before responding. “Who gave you my address?”
“She said her name was Kameron, and she wanted to see you happy.” Kenny had his hands in his front jeans pockets and looked nervous, almost vulnerable. Odd, Kenny doesn’t get nervous! Kameron? What? Why would she do that?
“Well I’m sorry Kennith, but she was mistaken. I actually have been seeing someone and have another date Friday night. Thanks for coming, but I need you to go now please. If you see Kameron, please tell her she was mistaken.”
Kenny grabs a business card from his pocket and hands it to Elise. “My number has changed over the years. I want you to have it in case you need anything. Anything at all… as a thank you for helping my Gram.”
Elise opens the front door and Kenny begins to step through, but stops in the doorway and turns toward her. “I want to see you happy too. Breaking up with you was one of the worst mistakes I’ve ever made. Take care sweet Eli.” With that, he leaned down and kissed her cheek and left.
Elise stood in the doorway, mouth hanging open, eyes wide with surprise, holding the colorful bouquet of flowers in one arm and the palm of her other hand on her cheek. The cheek where Kenny had just kissed her goodbye! WTF was that?
- Writer
