Blast From the Past

Bridgeport: 3 Weeks ago

 Graeme leaned back in his desk chair and looked out at his view of the flat wintry light. 

He turns his attention to the painting on the wall.  It had been a strange day.  He presses his lips together and takes a deep quiet breath.  For as far back as he could remember he possessed the uncanny ability to size up people at a glance or a quick listen and after he unexpectedly ran into Annabella this afternoon and spoke to her again after all those years he felt unsettled.  As if tragedy was looming at the door. 

He looked out the window again as if the steely cold sky was a message for him, a metaphor.  His thoughts returned to the day before he left Twinbrook – the day before he left Annabella ….

Twinbrook: 14 years ago

Annabella didn’t answer any of his calls and when she didn’t turn up for school the entire week he became worried and decided to go and see her at home. 

Mrs Stirling was determined from the start to dislike him – but then again – Mrs Stirling was probably determined from the outset to dislike everyone.  Luckily Graeme was the kind of man impossible to offend and he always gave the impression of being impervious to hurt.  This of course infuriated Mrs Stirling even more.  

“Good afternoon Mrs Stirling” he greeted.

“Annabella isn’t home” she responded rudely.

“Any idea where she might be?  She didn’t come to school the entire week.  I’m worried about her”.  He persisted.

“What do you care?  Shouldn’t you be packing or something? You’re leaving tomorrow, right? 

Scholarship?  Impressive. 

But its hard to imagine you could make a living from running around a field all day ….”  she continued sarcastically.

Ignoring her remark and only favouring her with a lazy smile he asked “Do you have any idea where I might find her Mrs Stirling.  I’d really like to see her before we leave.”

The look on her face was enough to curdle milk.  “You really care about her don’t you? 

Pity that. 

She asked me to give you this when you come around.”  She handed Graeme a folded piece of paper. 

He unfolded it, wondering briefly why it’s not in an envelope.  A letter from Annabella.  He recognized her handwriting instantly.

Ignoring Mrs Stirling’s patronizing look he started reading it.  His smile disappearing with every passing sentence:

            Dear Graeme,

If you’re reading this letter it means that you have come to say goodbye – come to say that you’ll think about me and write me letters and possibly, that you will return for me. 

            Please don’t.  It’s easier that way isn’t it?

Do you believe in Fate?  It all comes down to one thing really - Who you blame when something goes wrong.  Do you think it’s your fault? Or do you just chalk it up to circumstance?

Bad things happen – and will always keep on happening.  Maybe bad things happen because it’s the only way we can keep remembering what good is supposed to look like.

My dear Graeme, leave this place and never look back.

I understand.

Love, always

Annabella

           

At this point Mrs Stirling looked as if she was enjoying all of it.  No doubt she read the letter herself.  Waiting patiently to see the expression on his face when he reads it - and evidently enjoying every moment of his bewilderment. 

“Well then” she says smugly “If there isn’t anything else I’d appreciate it if you would leave now.” And with that she walked inside the house and closed the door behind her.

He stood there for a while holding the letter in his hand.  Dumfounded.  If the letter had not been in her own handwriting he would never have believed that Annabella could be so cold.  Is this really my Annabella?  How could I have been so wrong about her? 

….

Bridgeport: 3 Weeks ago

Graeme rubbed his chin, caught his own male scent and felt stubble – he needed a shower - and a shave.  He got up from his desk and stood before the window, gazing out at the leaden winter afternoon.  The phone on his desk rang.  It was his fiancé. 

Shauna Daniels works for a prestigious Bridgeport company, climbing the business ladder to fame and fortune – her aim firmly fixed on the CEO position, which meant long working hours and a lot of traveling abroad.  They met in Shang Simla during one of her business trips. 

She had compelling good looks, tall with hazel brown eyes and lustrous chestnut hair.  Always smartly dressed not afraid to look like a woman, emphasizing her simple lines and generous curves.

Graeme had a choice of several employment options, pursuing his sports career being his main objective, but he chose to take up a position in Bridgeport.  He hated the city, but in all honesty – he followed Shauna because he couldn’t stand to be away from her.

Any guy would be able to tell you the exact moment he realized the woman standing next to him was the one he’d be spending his life with – with him it was the very first moment he laid eyes on her.

“Hey sweetheart.” Her voice had a low timbre that commanded attention because it didn’t ask for it.

“Hey babe.  Pity you had to take off this afternoon.” He said accusingly.

“Sorry hun, but it’s not all bad.  At least you had your friend Annabella to keep you company.  I’m sure you had a lot of catching up to do?  Odd girl.  She didn’t seem too thrilled when you introduced us.  Old flame perhaps?”

He didn’t reply. 

“I’ll have to make it up to you sometime.  Maybe even play catch with you this weekend.” She offered jokingly

“You throw like a girl”.

“I am a girl”.

“Yeah.  There is that I suppose. 

How about you make it up to me tonight?” he said with an easy confidence.

“I’m listening.  What do you have in mind?”

“I don’t want to go out” he replied suggestively.

“I like the way you think.  I’ll bring the food.”

“… and I’ll open a bottle of red”.

 “See you in a few” she said hanging up.

All thoughts of Annabella and their somewhat awkward reunion this afternon pushed aside for the moment – Graeme heads for the bathroom to shave and take a shower before his fiancé arrives.

A smile crosses his face when he hears Shauna letting herself into his apartment.  Suddenly feeling like a boy on Christmas morning, excited to open his presents he heads downstairs to meet her.

He couldn’t imagine not having her in his life.