By Kelly Gombert
This is her first chapter of a recurring story.
This is her second recurring story with us
“To say goodbye. But let’s not think about that right now. I think we turn here.” She turned away from him but reached behind to take his hand in hers. Together they walked in the now silent streets.
They arrived at the hostel with just enough time for Ian to finish throwing his belongings in the duffel bag to catch his ride to the airport.
“So, here we are.”
“Goodbye,” Jess said in a tone too bright. She took his hand and grabbed his wrist with the other for a firm handshake. “It was very nice to meet you. Have a safe flight.” She tried to release his hand to make a quick get away but he held on and gently pulled her in.
“Jess.”
“No, no, no.” She wiggled her finger of her free hand. “A quick goodbye. Clean break. That’s the best way to end this,” Jess continued, her voice breaking.
Ian silenced her protest with his lips. Her arms, of their own volition, wrapped around his neck as she pressed her body against his. “We don’t have to end this,” he whispered in her ear.
“Don’t, don’t do this.” She stepped away from him but he held onto her. “You have to go your way and I’m going mine. I meant it when I said goodbye. You have your life ahead of you planned out and this, this was just a pleasant interlude for one night and one night only. I wish you joy and much love but you must go.”
She turned her head before the tears spilled over and went inside the hostel.
Ian stood still for a moment wondering what had just happened. He checked his phone for the time, ran into the hostel, took the stairs two at a time but she wasn’t in sight. He hurriedly threw his things in his bag and made it outside just as the taxi was pulling up. He looked at the cab and wondered if this was the right choice to make. She was travelling to the south of France at noon. He didn’t have to take the cab to the airport. He could go to the train station instead and wait for her. But he wanted to be an architect, had been studying for years for this moment, with this goal in mind. He couldn’t be this easily swayed by this young woman. But she wasn’t just some one. The cabbie asked him if he was getting in. He did and told the driver to take him to where his future awaited.
