What We Search For (17 page)

I held her and we stood
together until she released me. “I’ve decided you’re just going to have to come
back! Then we should go on a trip together.” She said as she walked towards the
door.

“I’d like that.” I
replied, and followed her out of the door and into the kitchen.

Rachel was sitting at the
bench eating something and turned when she heard us coming out. “Hey guys, how
was your night?” She asked as we joined her.

“It was amazing.” Amanda
replied with a coy smile.

“That good huh?” Rachel
replied with raised eyebrows. Looking from Amanda to me and back again a grin
shot onto her face, “That good!” She added as she burst into laughter. I stood
there shaking my head smiling to myself, and Amanda giggled until we both
joined in on the laughter.

Today was the first day Amanda
had to go back to work, so I spent the day with Rachel just relaxing and
watching movies. It was an easy way to spend the day, especially after the
night I had just had.

My mind wandered the whole
day and I hardly managed to focus on anything at all. Rachel shot me the odd
glance here and there, probably wondering what I was thinking about, yet I
ignored the looks mostly and kept watching the movie until she finally spoke
up.

“Remember how I said you
need to look after Amanda as she’s had a rough past?” She asked hesitantly,
looking up.

“Yeah I remember.” I
replied.

“I don’t want to see her
get hurt is all. Long distance relationships are hard. Are you sure you can
make it work?” She started, “I see how you two are looking at each other.” She
said, looking me dead in the eye.

“Honestly I don’t know.
All I know is how I feel about her. I want to be with her all the time.” I
replied quietly, as I thought about the feelings I had when she was around me.

“That’s good! Just be
careful is all. I probably shouldn’t say anything but Amanda’s past
relationship was an abusive one. She’s had trouble connecting to men ever since
then. It looks like she’s finally opening up again, which is amazing.  And I’m
so happy to see it. Just, I don’t know, be careful.” She said earnestly,
leaning forward to accentuate her point.

“Thank you for telling
me.” I said slowly, as I thought about what she had said, “She means a lot to
me, and the last thing I want to do is hurt her. I’ll be careful I promise.” I
said as my mind raced processing this new information.

We sat in silence for the
remainder of the movie, me thinking about everything that was said between us.
I was never going to hurt Amanda, but the distance was going to be frustrating.

I’d have to think of
something if we were going to have a chance of being together. Folding my arms
I lowered my head, and a frown of concentration covered my face. I sat like
that ignoring everything else for a very long time.

Amanda walked in the door
and found us still sitting on the couch. “Have you guys even moved today?” She
said, laughing as she walked over to us. I was still sitting arms folded and
mind racing until a hand softly squeeze my shoulder, “Hey. You awake?” Amanda
asked leaning over me. Looking up at her I smiled, and she leaned in for a
kiss.

“Yes I’m awake. Just been
thinking is all.” I said, smiling at her.

“About what?” She asked, a
tiny hint of concern in her voice. I laughed to relax the mood.

“Nothing serious.” I said.
Turning around, I grabbed her by the hips, dragged her over the top of the
couch, and pulled her down on top of me. Her laughter was music in my ears.

“Just don’t think too hard
or else you’ll hurt yourself!” Amanda said with a grin.

“Get a room!” Rachel
laughed, as we landed on top of her.

“Sorry Rach! Not my
fault!” Laughed Amanda, as she fought to escape my grasping hands.

“Not sorry Rach!” I said
loudly, snaking my hand into Amanda’s sides. I began to tickle her until I fell
off the couch, dragging her with me struggling the whole way. Reaching out, Amanda
grabbed Rachel’s leg and dragged her off of the couch too, calling her in for
backup.

They both attacked me
vigorously until I couldn’t last any longer. Gasping for air, I laughed and
struggled.

“I surrender! I
surrender!” I shouted. The girls were playing their advantage, but finally they
let go on the condition I wouldn’t fight back any more. I agreed and Amanda
kissed my forehead.

“Good boy.” She said as
she petted my head. Laughing I stood up and we returned to the couch.

“Haven’t been tickled like
that before.” I said in genuine amusement, “Just don’t tell anyone you two beat
me,” I pled.  Which earned laughs from each of the girls.

“If you behave, I’m sure
we can keep that to ourselves. Right Rach?” She said, looking over to Rachel
with a playful smile.

“I think that could work.”
She said with a conspiratorial wink.

“All that tussling has
made me hungry!” I said, rubbing my stomach, “How about we get some take out?”
I added as I looked at each of the girls in turn.

“Good idea! I don’t really
feel up to cooking tonight anyway.” Rachel said. Amanda nodded her agreement.

“Take out it is!” She
proclaimed.

Chinese was on the menu
this evening and we ate it greedily. “How much longer are you with us James?”
Rachel asked through a mouthful of fried rice.

“Probably two more days.”
I said, looking over to Amanda who smiled, “I’ll be heading back up to Banff,
but I’ll come visit again if you’ll have me.” I added with a smile

“If you’re lucky!” Amanda
said, leaning over her food as a dribble of sauce ran down her face.

“Thanks!” I said feigning
hurt. “You missed some by the way.” I said, pointing out the sauce on her cheek
with a smirk, “Honestly, I’m not sure what I’ll be doing once I get to Banff -
whether I stay there for a while or keep on traveling.” I said with seriousness
coming into my voice. I looked over at Amanda, “I’ve got other things on my
mind at the moment.” I said, smiling softly I turned back to Rachel, “What are
you going to do without me around? Back to normal. That’s worrying!” I said, as
I dug into my sweet and sour pork.

“Finally some peace and
quiet!” She said around a mouth full of food, “It’s been fun having you here.”
She added, “Even though you’re a perv!” She said with a wink and a laugh.

My last two days in their
house were entertaining. Amanda’s bed was much nicer than sleeping on the
futon, but then again we didn’t do too much sleeping. Our lustful romance had
been a quick one ever since our dinner, and first night being together.

Everything was moving very
fast, and we were with each other every moment we could be. Sadly, Amanda still
had to go to work so every chance I got I would run through the streets of LA
to do some exploring and get some exercise. It also helped keep my mind off the
fact I was leaving soon.

Rachel kept me company the
other times and we strengthened our friendship. She was truly a fantastic
person, which I mentioned to her on my last day.

“You’re a pretty special
girl Rach. Why haven’t you got a guy hanging around? Is it because your feet
smell?” I asked, with a completely straight face

“What!?” She yelled in
surprise.

“You didn’t know? I’ve
been putting up with it, but it’s pretty bad.” I said, still trying to hold my
straight face, but failing as a slight smile creased the corner of my mouth.

“Oh, is that right?” She
said, as she caught on, “I’m sorry you’ve had to put up with it until now.” She
said, thrusting her feet in the direction of my nose with a laugh, “No I just
haven’t found the right guy honestly. Where’s my tall dark and handsome
Australian?” She asked in pleading tones.

“So… What you’re saying
is… I’m tall dark and handsome? You’re too kind.” I chuckled.

“Of course you latched on
to that.” She said, trailing off with a laugh and gave my leg a quick familiar
pat, “You’re alright.” She added with a smile.

“I should introduce you to
my friends in Banff. You’d get your choice of the two.” I said with a grin.
“One is Australian, and the other is British, but both are great blokes.” I
finished, still grinning.

“Great blokes! That sounds
good to me… Mate!” She replied, with her terrible take of the Australian
accent. I burst into laughter at the effort, “Bring them with you the next time
you visit then.” She said seriously.

“Maybe I will! Not quite
sure when that will be, but I’ll be back.” I said, as I thought sadly of how
long I would be without Amanda.

“Anyway, let’s stop
talking about that. It’ll happen when it happens.” She said. Probably noticing
my saddened look.

My flight was booked for
six in the morning, and I was fully packed and ready to go. Amanda watched me
putting the finishing touches on my bags from her bed, and once done beckoned
me to join her. She was going to drop me at the airport in the morning, so we
decided to have an early night together.

Once in bed I held her in
my arms and gently kissed her. As we lay together I started to speak softly.
“I’m going to miss you.” I said.

“I’ll miss you, too.” She
replied, just as quietly.

She gripped the back of my
head softly with her hand and drew me into a lengthy kiss. We finally fell
asleep together with Amanda in my arms and the warmth of her body resting
against mine. I was in a peaceful state of mind and slept soundly. Not dreaming
of anything, I was completely at ease.

“What do you mean?” Yelled
Rachel. I slowly opened my eyes. It was still dark, “No that’s impossible!
How?!” Still shouting her voice turned to one of pleading. There was silence
for a moment and Amanda touched my face. Looking over at her, I could see the
concern in her eyes, “I don’t…” Rachel’s voice came softer now, yet laced heavily
with emotion. She was speaking to someone on the phone.

Amanda jumped over me and
ran out the door in search of Rachel. Sitting up in bed I wasn’t quite sure
what to do. She was crying and I could hear Amanda talking to her trying to
sooth whatever had upset her so much. Looking down at my watch I could see it
was close to four in the morning.

I had to be up soon if I
was going to be at the airport on time. “Dad’s had a heart attack.” I heard her
say through her sobs. Her voice muffled probably by Amanda’s shoulder, “He’s on
the way to the hospital now.” She was saying.

“I’ll take you there. Get
ready sweetie.” Amanda said, taking charge.

As Amanda came back into
the room I was already starting to get dressed. Concern for her friend was
written all over her face. “I’m sorry James I won’t be able to take you to the
airport.” She said, a sad expression on her face.

“I know. Look after
Rachel. I’ll be fine!” I replied. Crossing the room to her I scooped her up
into my arms. Our parting was not going to be anything like I had envisioned.

I kissed her soundly on
the lips and we parted hesitantly until she dashed off to get dressed. She
grabbed her keys and came running back to me throwing her arms around me.

“Come back soon. I like
you too much to not have you around.” She said, kissing me again, and dashed
out the door. I followed her out and saw Rachel coming out of her room.

Catching her eye, I walked
over and gave her the warmest hug I could muster and a kiss on the cheek. Her
eyes were red from tears streaking down her face. She smiled weakly at me.

“I’ll be thinking of you
and your father. Take care Rach.” I said, kissing her once more on the
forehead.

Watching as the girls sped
out of the house, I stood for a moment by myself watching the door. Everything
had happened so fast I had to ready myself for the airport and organize a taxi.
It didn’t take me long to gather my belongings, and have a ridiculously quick
shower just splashing the water over me before drying off. I got dressed again
and walked outside.

Locking the door behind me
with their spare key I returned it to its hiding place and waited in front of
the house before the taxi arrived. After stowing away my luggage, I got in the
cab and we drove off. Looking behind me I watched as their house dwindled into
the distance. With the street lights still emanating a dull glow I turned
forward and didn’t look back again.

This was getting stupid.
This was the fourth time I had been seated in row 15! Shaking my head at the
coincidence, I settled into my seat next to an elderly man who I assumed sat
next to his wife. They were holding hands speaking softly to one another and I
couldn’t help but smile.

He was leaning his head
close to her ear and she leaned back. The comfort of being in the others
presence was notable. Instead of one man and one woman here sat a couple that
had been together for the majority of their lives, and it warmed my heart
thinking I too may look like that one day.

The elderly woman was
wearing a beautifully knitted white cardigan and a cream scarf wrapped around
her neck. Her hair was a light shade of blonde, and thinly curled. While the
gentleman wore grey dress pants and a deep green sweater. Sitting down I smiled
as they looked over to me.