A Story 2

Nick parked his car next to Emily’s apartment and got out. “Apartment 3A,” he told himself. “Come on buddy, pull yourself together. It’s just dinner with an old friend right? Nothing to worry about.” Emily opened the door after the third knock.

“Nick! Come in, please. It’s so good to see you again.”

“Hi Emily. Wow, that smells amazing. How are you, how’s city life treating you?”

“I would hope it smells good I’ve been slaving away for hours trying to get the recipe just right. I’m really good Nick, I’m really happy here. Here, let me take your coat.”

“You look great Emily. Our pictures never really do you justice.”

“Thanks Nick, you look pretty good yourself, I can see that your gym membership has been paying off. Come, make yourself comfortable on the couch, I’ll be right back out I just need to check the oven. Would you like some wine?”

“Wine would be great, as long as I’m not drinking it alone.”

“Silly, of course I’m having some too. My dad sent me a couple bottles from his cellar so I’m all stocked up on the good stuff. Here, this one’s a Bordeaux, it’s one of my new favorites.”

“I see you’ve graduated from the Franzia then, no more wine in a box?”

“Well, you know, living in the city sorta forces you to refine your tastes pretty quickly. The people around here don’t much care for my boxed wines. Hold on, the chicken’s ready.”

“Wow Em, this is delicious. Mmm, it’s heavenly. When did you learn to cook so well?”

“One of my good friends here is enrolled in the culinary school, so he’s been teaching us some of his easier recipes.

“Well, easy or not it’s absolutely delicious. Thank you Em. Thanks for having me. I was hoping I would be able to see you again before I left the city. Here, you’re glass is empty, let me top you off. Is everything ok? You’re quieter than you usually are.”

“Oh no, just thinking about some things.”

“Can I ask what you’re thinking of?”

“Well, I guess it’s just weird to have you in front of me again like this. Is it really that easy for you to pretend that we’re just friends?”

“No. It’s not easy at all for me. I’ve thought about being with you so much since you left that to have you here in front makes me not know what to do.”

“I’m sorry I had to leave Nick. I’m sorry I wouldn’t talk to you for so long too, I just needed some time to myself without you. Did you hate me?”

“Emily I could never hate you. Not seriously at least. I just have really needed a friend recently and it hurt not that you weren’t it.”

“Nick you have other friends.”

“I know, I’ve sorta drifted away from the important people in my life though. When you left I didn’t want to leave my house very much, and work bogged me down a lot too. It just would have been nice to be able to talk to someone, but you said you didn’t want to talk so I left you alone. “

“I’m sorry Nick. I really am. I’ve missed you a lot. I didn’t know you were having such a rough time of it, when we had been talking it seemed like you couldn’t be happier to be rid of me.”

“I’m good at faking how I am. I’ve missed you too Emily.”

“Come sit with me on the couch. I’ll put the dishes away later.”

“Can friends sit like this?”

“I think we can. Only if you want to though.”

“Mmm I’m okay with it. I’ve missed holding you Em, though you’re hogging the entire blanket and I’m freezing.”

“You know I love hogging the blanket; you need to come closer and share it with me better. Do you have anything to do in the morning?”

“No, I’m driving back at some point this weekend but I’m flexible with when I have to leave. Why do you ask?”

“I was hoping you might stay here with me tonight, if it’s okay. I still get nervous at night here. If you don’t want to it’s okay.”

“I’d like to stay with you Em if you’re okay with it. I’m staying as a friend right?”

“You can stay as whatever you like. I’ve missed you Nick.”