Molly was shocked. She thought she'd never hear his voice again, let alone see him. She didn't know what to say to him.
"Hello?" he said. Molly shook her head and started to say something.
"Yeah, I'm here," she said finally.
"Oh, good. I thought maybe you hung up on me," he said, relieved. The thought did cross my mind, she thought to herself.
"No, I'm just in shock," she said quietly.
"Why? Oh, because I left so suddenly and didn't tell you. Yeah, I can see that," he said. Molly fought back tears.
"Look, I'm really sorry for doing that. You know things were really fucked up around here before I left. I should have let you know that I was okay before now...can you forgive me?" he said. Molly closed her eyes, fighting harder not to start bawling. She took in a deep breath. I hope I don't regret this.
"Of course, I forgive you. I love you, and I totally understand why you left," she replied.
"I love you, too, and I've really missed you, like I did after high school," he said softly. Molly was beginning to feel emotionally drained from fighting her emotions so hard. She felt a tear squeeze out of the corner of her left eye and slide slowly down her cheek. She sniffed loudly without meaning to.
"Aw, honey, are you crying? I am so sorry," he said. Molly let loose.
"Yes, I'm crying! You hint around that you MIGHT leave, then you do without even telling me you're okay, then you expect me to just forgive you for it? If I didn't love you as much as I do, I'd tell you to go fuck yourself!" she yelled. Silence filled not only the other end, but everyone who had been unloading the truck stopped dead and stared at her. Molly felt the eyes on her, looked around then excused herself outside.
"I know that I can't change how I did things, but I really am sorry. I could've gone about it differently, but I didn't want you to see me in the state I was in. You wouldn't have recognized me," he explained.
"Erik, I love you. I know things were screwed up, but if you were any different than when you were here, I still would've recognized you. I love you and I want to be there for you. I told you I would be by your side as long as you wanted me there. I'm not joking," she said.
"I know you're not. That's just one of the many reasons I still love you."
"I guess I need to know what's going to happen now," she said. There was a moment of silence on the other end.
"I'm coming home in a couple of months. I would like to see you and if you still want to be with me, I'd like to start building our relationship. I still want you. I miss everything about you so much. I haven't stopped thinking about you the entire time I've been away. You are the stability I've needed in my life. I still want that," he said. Molly sniffed.
"I want that, too. I miss you. My body misses yours. So many nights, I just wanted to have you next to me, even if it was just to feel someone next to me. I've been a mess since you took off. I don't like that feeling," she said.
"I know, and I don't think I could've handled seeing you like that. I'm really sorry. I can't wait to hold you again. I hope you forgive me. I love you," he said.
"Just come home soon."
"I will."
A few nights later, Molly was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, as she did so many nights before. Except this time, she was thinking of the things she wanted to do with Erik once he came home. She also remembered the night they had spent in a hotel during their class reunion. The reunion itself was a bit lame, but the night was one she would never forget. He had suggested that particular hotel to her. She called and booked a room for two for one night. As that weekend was near, she became more excited. She moved around the house with an air of happiness. She knew her middle child would be going to her parents for the next week, while her other two would be at her ex's parents' house for the weekend until their dad would pick them up. She had the weekend to herself, and Erik to herself as well. She wasn't sure what he had planned for that night, but she was definitely looking forward to it. They checked in at the hotel and went up to their room. He opened the door ahead of her. She entered, looking around in amazement. The room was beautiful. A two-person hot tub was in one corner, and the bed was huge! The dΓ©cor was beautiful, but that really didn't matter. She figured that neither of them would be paying much attention to it later. She set down her suitcase and took off her shoes before walking around the room. She felt his presence behind her as she stopped to look out the French doors to the balcony overlooking a very swollen river below. She felt his arms move around her waist, pulling her back up against him. He nuzzled her neck with his nose and lips as she enjoyed the view outside.
"This could be interesting," she said.