Restoring Us

by Fabiola Francisco

  Instead of going home, I head north from downtown to my parents’ house hoping they’re home. I know my mom will be happy if I go over for a visit. It may please my dad that I’m not out picking up women on a Saturday night.

  I pull up to their house 20 minutes later and notice a car parked in the circular driveway. They must have company. Well, I hope they don’t mind me dropping in.

  My parents live in a large two-story home in the suburbs of Chicago, not too far from Ava’s parents. It’s a classic stone house with a long driveway, perfect for the many cars they need to accommodate during all their events and parties.

  I open the door and walk towards the voices I hear talking in the great room on the left. The entrance is an open room that leads to the patio in the back, and two arched openings on each side; the great room to the left and the kitchen to the right.

  I walk into the great room and notice Elise and Max, Ava’s parents, sitting on the brown chesterfield sofa facing the fireplace, their backs to me. My parents are each on the adjacent matching chairs, all of them with drinks in hand.

  My mom sees me and smiles. “Ethan! I am so happy to see you!” She leaps off the chair to come give me a hug. Suddenly Elise and Max look back at me and smile. My dad stands up, extending his hand formally for me to shake. “Son,” he says nodding.

  “Hi, dad. Good evening Elise and Max. Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I hadn’t realized you would have guests. I’ll come back tomorrow, mom. We can have brunch.” I feel awkward now standing here with all of them. Elise and Max never made me feel uncomfortable when I was with them, but I can just imagine they hate me. It’s part of our society to act polite and hide your true feelings, although they’ve never been snobs.

  “Nonsense, Ethan. We are going to eat dinner soon. Why don’t you join us? It would be nice to catch up,” Elise says smiling genuinely. I’m taken aback by her kindness.

  “Sure. If that’s okay with you,” I say nervously.

  “Of course it is,” Max says. “Take a seat with us until dinner is ready. I’m sure you’d like a drink.”

  He has no idea how much I need a drink right now. I take a seat, and my dad hands me a scotch. “No plans for tonight?” He says as he takes his seat again.

  “No. I was heading home and thought I’d come by and see you.”

  “That’s nice. Thank you.” My mom smiles widely, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Where were you coming from?”

  “I was visiting some friends.” I don’t want to give away where I was. It may not be the best idea to mention I was over at Ava’s. My mom looks at me with suspicion, but I ignore her prying eyes. I’m usually more forthcoming with my friends’ names considering they know them all.

  “How’s work, Ethan?” Max asks.

  “Great. I actually got a promotion recently. I’m really happy with the company and my clients.”

  “Congratulations. You’re still working with Cohen & Dean, correct? What position were you promoted to?” He seems genuinely intrigued in my career.

  “Yes, I am. Financial Manager,” I say proudly. In the short time I’ve been in the company, I have risen quickly. It’s rare someone my age gets promoted to such a high-level position, but I’ve worked my ass off, staying late nights at the office and working weekends at home. It’s paid off.

  “That’s wonderful! Congratulations.” Elise smiles warmly at me. “You two must be very proud.” She looks over at my parents.

  “We are.” My mom smiles politely.

  I am surprised to say the least at the friendliness they’re expressing. They never told me how they felt about me and what I did by leaving Ava; I never gave them the chance since I avoided them at all costs, but I just assumed I wouldn’t be receiving a Christmas card from them in the future. It’s good to see that I didn’t ruin their friendship with my parents, too. After all, they’ve been friends since they were young. My mom and Elise became friends in college and have been inseparable since then. I would hate myself if I had ruined that, as well.

  “Dinner’s ready, Mrs. Owens,” Caroline, my parents’ housekeeper, announces.

  “Caroline, can you add an extra setting for Ethan please?”

  “I already did,” Caroline says politely. She’s been our housekeeper since I can remember. She must’ve heard me walk in.

  “Thank you, sweetie! Let’s go eat, everyone. The dining room is set,” my mom says authoritatively.

  We all follow in suit, crossing to the other side of the house, through the kitchen and into the dining room. This room is much bigger than the great room with a large, solid wood dining table possessing the room and ten matching chairs upholstered in ivory leather. A classic, gold and glass chandelier hangs over the table, illuminating the room. It was always Ava’s favorite piece. She has this weird fascination with chandeliers. She always loves admiring the kaleidoscope designs the light creates when it reflects off the glass.

  I smile thinking about her and the couple of hours we spent together at her apartment today. We take our seats, using up only half of the table, and Caroline serves us. She’s made a rack of lamb with a mushroom risotto that oozes an aroma that is mouth-watering. She places a dinner roll on each of our bread plates and serves us all a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.

  “You must be proud of Ava as well. I heard she was hired as the gallery curator for Webber Art Gallery,” I say, trying to ease into conversation hoping it doesn’t seem obvious that I am eager to know more. My mom looks at me again, curiosity and knowingness combined in her smile. I avoid eye contact with her knowing she will read through me.

  “Yes, we are. We’re grateful to have her back with us and healthy. Have you spoken to her?” Elise asks with her head cocked to the side. I don’t want to lie, but I also don’t know if Ava’s spoken to her about my unannounced visit to their house before she moved. She must have seen the flowers. Well, if Ava didn’t just throw them away.

  By her expression and smile playing on her lips, I assume she does. Maybe I can keep today’s visit out of the conversation.

  “I ran into her, Katie, and Aiden last night. They were celebrating her new job.” I leave out as much information as possible.

  “That’s nice,” Elise says, looking over at my mom. I don’t miss their exchange. Something is up between them.

  “I hope you were respectful,” my father chimes in, pressing his lips in a hard line.

  “Of course I was,” I respond offended.

  “Well, we can’t assume considering…”

  “John, that’s enough.” My mom jumps into the conversation before shit hits the fan.

  “Excuse me,” I say getting up.

  “Ethan, don’t go. Please,” my mom pleads.

  “I just need to use the restroom, mom. I’ll be right back.” I stand up and walk out of the dining room and into the closest bathroom.

  I can’t stand my father sometimes. How dare he say something like that in front of Ava’s parents? If he weren’t my dad, I would have punched him already. We all know what I did two and a half years ago while Ava was struggling and how I’ve behaved in the past couple of years. It’s no secret. I’m not proud of it. But I also don’t want it thrown in my face every time I see my dad.

  I take a few deeps breaths, wash my face with water, and return to the dining room. Everyone is talking amicably about this and that, no one mentioning Ava or myself in their conversations. We eat the rest of our dinner, peacefully exchanging pleasantries. Max asks me about my March Madness bracket, and mentions how Aiden has been following the games closely. My dad comments on how I didn’t listen to his suggestions for my bracket, and now I’m on the losing end of it. We make predictions for the next few games, and discuss the stronger and weaker teams in the league.

  Elise and Max leave a little while after dinner, and I stay behind a bit and relax with my parents. I’m curious to know what Elise and my mom were exchanging looks about during dinner.

  “Ethan, I’m sorry for calling you
out during dinner. You know how I feel about what happened with Ava back then, but I shouldn’t have said anything in front of Max and Elise.” My dad catches me totally off guard, and I look back at him wide-eyed. He’s never apologized before.

  “That’s fine, dad. I mean it’s not fine that you said it, but I forgive you. I know you’re disappointed in me, but I didn’t know how else to handle losing her. You both know what Ava means to me. She is my world. She always has been. Losing her was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but I wasn’t strong enough to watch her break day after day. You don’t know what that’s like unless you live it. I hate what I did to her.

  “The only way I knew how to deal with it was acting the way I did, as you know. It was easier to lose myself in women than spend the days thinking of her. Of course it didn’t work. I always thought of her. You have no idea how many times I thought of chasing after her, but I’m sure the last person she wanted to see was me,” I say, choking up towards the end. It’s been absolute torture living the way I have, with the regret carried over me, a storm cloud threatening to drag me deeper into the shit storm that has been my life.

  “Ethan, we’re not disappointed in you. You’ve grown up to be an amazing young man. We love you. We may not agree with some of your decisions, but you’re our son and we support you no matter what.” My mom smiles sympathetically.

  “Thanks, mom. I’m going to win her back. I know I am. We belong together,” I say confidently.

  “That’s the ‘friend’ you were visiting earlier, wasn’t it?” My mom gives me a knowing smile.

  “Yes. I went by to congratulate her on her new job and to give her a housewarming gift. She moved back in with Katie. She actually acted normal for a little bit,” I admit. “I ran into them yesterday, like I said during dinner. We ended up dancing together. I felt like I was at home in her arms.”

  “Yes, Elise and Max told us she moved back in with Katie. That will help her settle in and feel more confident with the move. Make it more permanent,” my mom reasons.

  “We’re glad, but please don’t hurt her again. We love Ava and want to see her happy,” my dad adds, furrowing his eyebrows.

  “I promise I won’t. I don’t care how long it takes me or what I need to do, I will spend the rest of my life loving her. By the way, mom, what was that silent exchange Elise and you had during dinner when I mentioned I had run into Ava last night?”

  “What exchange?” My mom shrugs feigning confusion. I’m onto her though. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about, sweetie. It was probably nothing significant,” she continues. Yeah, right. The look they gave each other was not a simple look in the other’s direction. There was meaning in their exchange.

  “Well, like your mother said, we support you in anything you do. I may not be happy with your previous decisions, but you are still my son. It’s not like I have another one to choose over,” my dad jokes.

  “I doubt he would have made you as proud as I did being the high school basketball star when I was younger,” I tease back. My dad and I loved playing basketball together since I was young. That’s where my love for the game comes from. We would spend endless hours playing, training, and making up silly moves.

  I love my parents. Like they said, I’m their only child and we’ve always supported each other, but my decisions have been embarrassing for them, I’m sure. We live in a society where rumors spread faster than wildfire, and it’s not wise to behave the way I have. I’m sure they’ve heard whispers in the country club and among their circle of friends about me fucking around.

  I give them both a hug and head home for the night. I may sound like a whipped pussy, but I can’t get rid of the euphoric feeling overwhelming me about my afternoon at Ava’s apartment. I’ll never love anyone the way that I love her.

  As soon as I get home, I send Katie a quick text thanking her for encouraging Ava to speak to me and another one to Dan asking if he wants to play some basketball tomorrow at the gym. Katie responds with a quick “no problem.” Dan says he’s free tomorrow, and we make plans to meet down at the gym at 11:00am.

  ∞

  Dan and I are playing some one-on-one at the gym after our workout.

  “You’re a little off your game today, buddy. Distracted?” Dan asks amused.

  “Just a bit.” I spent most of the night tossing and turning as my mind kept wandering back to thoughts of Ava.

  “How is Ava? You did go over there yesterday, didn’t you?”

  “Yeah, I did. It went well. I stayed a while and we spoke, hung out, kind of like old times.” I smile like a jackass.

  “Like old times?” He asks cocking an eyebrow. “I doubt you got laid like the old times.”

  “Don’t start, Dan. You know Ava’s not like that,” I say, protecting her.

  “Yup, she definitely gave you a run for your money before agreeing to date you. Are you sure she’s really that into you?”

  “Fuck you.” Ava didn’t give in easily to dating, but I know it wasn’t for lack of feelings. If anything it was because what we felt for each other was already so strong and we were “just friends” back then.

  “Whatever. All I know is that it’s been years since I beat you at basketball, and you were supposed to be the high school star.” He shakes his head in disappointment.

  “You’ve never beat me at basketball,” I deadpan.

  “Yes I have! That one time when we were at the courts in school, our sophomore year, was it? We played two against two with Mike and Troy. Mike and I totally beat you guys,” he answers, offended that I would forget such a victory of his.

  “I never played with Mike and Troy.” I look at him with my eyebrows pulled up.

  “Yes…the season had just ended…we had skipped fifth period…” he says trying to piece together his memory. “Oh! No, that wasn’t you. My bad.” He laughs, walking to drink water as I stare at him wide-eyed. His memory sucks.

  After playing a few more games I head home. I need to work on some reports and stats I have pending for James Connell, who will be coming by the office this week. He usually likes to drop in at any time if it isn’t a significant meeting, so I need to be prepared for him.

  After finishing my work, I grab my phone and send Ava a quick message. I doubt she’ll answer, but it will show her I’m thinking of her.

  Good luck on your first day of work tomorrow. I know you’ll be great. Thank you for yesterday.

  I fall asleep not even expecting a response from her, but happy knowing she’ll receive it and read it.

  Chapter 13

  Ethan

  I get to the office ready for a new week. As I suspected, my assistant tells me James called, stating he was coming by today to check out the reports. I’m glad I prepared for his visit. He arrives at 9:30 AM ready for business. “Hi James. I hope you had a nice weekend. Why don’t you take a seat and we’ll get right to it,” I say, motioning to the black sleek leather chair opposite my desk.

  “I did have a nice weekend. The wife and I tried a new restaurant in downtown, Passionné. It’s a French eatery. I recommend it. How about you?”

  “Very nice indeed.” I go back to the memory of Ava in her apartment. Maybe I could take her there.

  “Well, it looks like you had some fun by that smile.” He grins with mischief. Although James is one of our biggest clients, he and I have built a friendship throughout the years. You need each client to feel like a person, not just another corporate name on your list, but James has made it a point to develop a more personal relationship.

  “Visited some friends and had dinner with my parents on Saturday. I played some basketball with Dan yesterday. Remembering the days I used to play in high school.”

  “Good for you. If you were any good at basketball as you are in finance, then you must’ve been a star,” he compliments.

  “Thank you, James. I was very good, still am, but not for a career. I love finance.” I really do love my job. It’s been the best decision I’ve made in
a long time. I started working here after I broke Ava’s heart, and this job back then was a lifesaver. God only knows where I’d be if I didn’t have it then. I had something to focus on during my darkest time.

  “That’s good for me. I couldn’t find someone else to do the job as good as you do. Show me what you have for me,” he says, taking on the businessman persona.

  I show James the reports and stats I worked on yesterday. He owns Connell Energy, an ecological company that has developed and empowered sustainable energy in Illinois. He will soon be merging with Stephen Johnson, the engineer he works with, to create the wind turbines and all of his other environmental technology–anything from heavier machinery to appliances. He plans on expanding all over the Midwest, introducing the wind turbines and solar panels, reducing electricity bills and bringing people an environmentally friendly way of living. He’s very passionate about his career choice. It’s admirable.

  “Everything looks perfect. Thank you for your hard work. I’m excited about this merger, but if I’m honest, I was nervous about handling all the finances and minute details that go into it.”

  “It’s my pleasure, James. I wish you luck. You’re a smart man. I know you’ve planned this out well. And Stephen is a genius when it comes to engineering. You’ve already worked with him.” I give him some encouragement.

  “I know, you’re right. Don’t forget about the gala in honor of the merger Friday evening. I expect you there. Your colleagues are going as well.”

  “Yes, I’ll be there. Can I take a date?” I ask, quickly, thinking it would be perfect to take Ava.

  James furrows his eyebrows. “Sure.” I never take dates to events I attend. I’m sure it threw him off that I even asked. “Can’t wait to see the one who hooked you enough to want to take her to an event where there will be plenty of single women to choose from.”