CHAPTER 6
1004 Words
(SOLANA’S POV)
I did not want to stay any longer. Or maybe I did. The truth is that the more time I spent the urge I had to sink myself in to the memories that this place held. But I felt too hurt and so my decision to leave L.A as soon as I got here was justified.
I got a pen and paper and scribbled a shirt note to Larry. The note was me apologizing for showing up unannounced, it also told him that I came here for urgent work but I had to return now. That was a lie but there was no way I was telling him the truth. I was not going to tell anyone the truth, only Phil knew why I came to Los Angeles and I wanted to keep it that way.
I sighed deeply remembering the conversation I had with Phil before we ended the call.
“Oh Solana! I understand how you feel but do you really want to leave. I mean you just got there. How about you talk to him. Just tell him why you came to Los Angeles.” He had said to me in a sober and an encouraging voice.
But I scoffed in anger and pain. “What for? So that I can humiliate myself more?” I had replied. “I was stupid to think that I was welcome here.”
I told Phil that I will get on the next flight back to New York and he said that he would wait for my call.
I took my bag and wanted to head straight for the door, but then I caught a look from where I stood of the pictures on the wall. I felt a squeeze in my chest and suddenly I was overcome with so much emotions and curiousity . I wanted to see those pictures again and so with a deep sigh to encourage and strengthen myself, I went to the pictures.
I gasped unconsciously and placed one hand on my chest as I dropped my bags down. My hand was shaky as I lifted my other hand so that I cooled touch the pictures.
A heavy and deep feeling of nostalgia rushed through me and tears dropped down my eyes. I smiled through the tears because I was having mixed feeling at that time. Pictures of Dad, Mum, Larry, I, Chloe and Pete.
There were no new pictures. I expected to see pictures of Larry but I did not see any. The pictures that were hung up were the ones that have always been hung up. No additional pictures and none were missing either. It seemed like Larry was leaving everything in perfect place. Like he did not live anything at all.
My phone started ringing and I gasped in shock. I had been startled and I sighed when I realized that it was only my phone. It was mum calling and I contemplated on picking up the call but I knew that if I did not answer her call then she would be sure to call me again and again. So I answered.
“Hy mum.” I said as I wiped my tears with a handkerchief.
“Hey baby.” Mum said sweetly and sounding sad as well. “Have you seen your brother?” She asked me
“Yeah I have.” Was the answer that I gave her.
“How are you baby?” She asked me.
I was just going to tell her that I was doing fine but I suddenly realized that she was talking to me as if she knew what was going on. Like she knew about Pete’s wedding coming up.
“Do you know?” I decided to just ask her directly.
“Do I know?” She repeated sounding confused.
I sighed.
“About Pete.” I said
There was a pause and then she sighed. “Yes Lannie I knew about Pete’s engagement.” She said to me and I could imagine how sad she looked.
“That’s why you were not there pleased to hear that I was in Los Angeles “ I said in realization.
“I just did not want you to get hurt.” She explained to me
I was silent for a while and I suddenly felt embarrassed. Everyone knew about it except for me.
“Solana I was just concerned.” She went in saying. “I know that things have changed but you and Pete dear…”
I cut her off immediately because I was already in pain.
“There is no me and Pete mum.” I said to her sternly. “That was a long time ago and you are right when you say that things are different now.”
I was fighting back tears as I said this.
“Solana, you don’t have to be this way with me.”
Mum was saying calmly.
“I am just being truthful ma.” I said “ there is no need for you to feel pity for me. Pete and I are not together anymore.”
“Okay honey.” Mum said
There was an uncomfortable silence and I suddenly felt so guilty for speaking so harshly to mum. What was the matter with me? Mum only wanted to support me, why was I being so mean.
“Anyway I only came here for some work and I’m leaving now. So everything is going to be exactly the way it was.” I said to her
“You’re leaving now?” Mum asked in a surprise tone
“Yes mum. I’m done with the work that I was doing here.” I lied to her
“You only came for work? And you’re leaving?” A voice suddenly interrupted us.
I knew who it was. Even in my wildest dreams. I turned around and I was right about who I thought it was.
Damn it! I thought as the feeling of guilt now washed over me.
- Writer
