On Sunday night, he told his father that he was seeing someone whom he really liked. His father sounded happy that his son was beginning to feel better about himself and was slowly coming out of his depression. And that soon, he’d find his direction in life again.
Later, he gave details to Jack who couldn’t be happier.
“She sounds really nice.” Jack said. “I wanna meet her.”
“Can she stay here on a Saturday night or something?”
“Of course, man. Do you even have to ask me that?”
“Thanks, Jack.”
“But for me to meet her, it has to be like a Sunday night.”
“Yeah, of course. I’ll ask her if she would have a dinner with us.”
“That’ll work.” He said throwing out the soda can into the recycling bin. “So, my dear friend has finally found love.”
“Yes, man. For sure.” Ryan looked elated. His eyes big, every muscle on his face proclaiming the joy of newfound love.
“I can see the changes in you and they’re all positive.” Jack got comfortable on the sofa. “How ‘bout jobs?”
“I’m still waiting for Uber to clear my background and have been working at the surf shop on-call.”
“That’s good.”
“Abbey doesn’t want anything from me. She’s not into big money or status. So, I can take it easy for a while figuring out what I want.”
“I have no doubt that you’ll soon figure it out.”
“Thanks, man. Your vote of confidence means a lot.”
“Don’t mention it. Now be a good wife and figure something out for dinner.” They laughed.
Ryan cooked burgers with sautéed mushrooms and onions and they ate their burgers with salad and drank beer. Outside, the sea roared and the waves surged.
Later, he spoke to Abbey for an hour. He journaled after that and meditated before turning in by eleven.
His sleeping pattern had resumed its normal course and it had been a while. Now he woke before seven each morning, exercised in the garage on Jack’s treadmill, showered and meditated before doing anything else. He worked part time at Mel’s Surf Shop if he got any calls and kept an eye out for any easy jobs out there. Once the background checks cleared, he began delivering food through Ubereats. In his spare time, which was more than he knew what to do with, he went surfing. And each time he surfed or meditated, new ideas popped into his head. Teaching computer classes at a community college was something he could do, and freelancing as a web designer for small businesses starting with local establishments. He regularly shared them with Abbey and she supported him one hundred percent. She’d suggested that once he felt comfortable with whatever he was doing, he could then consider writing technology books.
“This would be so much better from working in a high stress office.” She’d said once. “Besides, this will be a passive income. May not be in millions, but enough.”
“I love it. Thanks, Abbey. Don’t know anything about finding a publisher though.”
“You can always self-publish as eBooks.”
“True.”
Soon he began to design a website for himself where he could advertise his services and promote himself as an author. Abbey did a photoshoot with her phone on him so he could use some on his website. They were anything from surfing to sitting home in front of his computer working with a serious look on his face. And since he regularly journaled anyway, now he could add blogging to his daily routine.
He couldn’t imagine how his life had changed so drastically in the last few months and he gave credits to Abbey for all this. They enjoyed their relationship that was based on mutual fondness and trust. None of them had money to go places and do things, but they were happy camping, hiking, and spending time at the beach or at home.
And then one day there was a phone call that changed his life, again. In a different way. It was from Mrs. Garrett, the woman who took care of him as a child. First she was the nanny, then after his mother’s passing when he was seventeen, she began taking care of him and his father and till today, she took care of Jim Waters. Every day she came and cleaned the house, washed the dishes, and cooked for Ryan’s father Jim. Her youngest grandson Danny cleaned the yards once a week for which he got paid separately.
When Ryan was young, his father up kept the yards and all. Once his heart began to cause problems, he had to reduce his activities to a bare minimum. Going for a daily walk and that was all he’d been doing for the last seven years. No fishing trips either. Once the medicine and the diet started to kick in, Ryan felt safe to leave home and moved to California. Besides, Mrs. Garrett was there, the sweetest woman he’d ever known. Her southern fried chicken and pecan pies became their household favorites. Unfortunately, his father had to cut down on the fried chickens and having the pies now and then during holiday seasons.
“Ryan, you better come home now. Your dad isn’t doing too well.” She’d said over the phone. Her frantic voice gave away to the degree of urgency.
Apparently, Jim had suffered a massive heart attack. Her words replayed in Ryan’s head while he got ready for the trip home. He barely had time to speak to Abbey, so he texted her and headed for San Francisco airport with Jack. Other than his car, he didn’t own much: two suitcases and one bag accommodated all he owned, and with his laptop, he was on his way. The prodigal son was returning home, but under circumstances beyond his control. And that was how life worked sometimes he was told.
Taking the overnight flight with a brief layover in Charlotte, he’d arrive home to Wilmington, North Carolina in the morning.
“Don’t worry too much. Just be with your dad. He needs you now.” Jack had said tapping the shoulder of his friend. “If you don’t return for a while, I can sell the car for you.”
“Thanks, Jack. I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”
“Maybe, all of this is for a reason? Who knows?” Jack said.
“Maybe.”
Once passed the security, he had some time to kill and he called Abbey and she answered.
“I’m so sorry, Ryan. Are you okay?”
“Don’t know.” He sighed.
“I hope, I could do something for you.” She said.
“Keep my dad in your thoughts. He’s the only family I got. I’m now filled with regrets of leaving him behind when I did. Could’ve made more memories all those years.”
“Of course, I’ll keep you two in my prayers and thoughts, but you need to stop this nonsense guilt and blaming game stuff. This isn’t the time. You need to stay positive and believe that he’ll come out of it.”
“Thank you.” He murmured.
“And listen, even if you don’t have the time or desire to call me often, I’ll be fine. We had a nice time getting to know each other. I have my life to figure out and so do you. Okay?”
“Okay, thanks again.”
“And promise me something,” she paused, “that you’ll take care of yourself.”
“I promise.”
A middle-aged man placed his carry-on next to him on the floor that made a noise as the wheels came to a halt and the metal bars hit the connected chair with a jerk. Sitting beside Ryan, he smiled. Turning his head away, Ryan whispered to Abbey, “I love you. I’ll miss you a lot.”
“I love you, too, Ryan. And I shall miss you very much.” She said. “Have a safe flight. And take care of yourself.”
“Thanks, I will.”
After they said goodbyes, he put away his phone inside the jacket pocket and leaned back on the chair watching planes take off and land. He thought of his father if he’d come around. And thinking of Abbey he wondered if their paths would cross again. He didn’t know if this was a break or a goodbye and she was right in what she said—they both needed to figure out their own paths and lives.