Chapter 30

“Richie!” He heard someone behind him. Looking over his shoulder he saw it was Tina. She had yelled at him a few weeks ago for sitting here instead of in group therapy. “What are you doing out here? You’re leaving in thirty minutes.” She said, continuing her way.

“Thought I’d look at this,” he gestured to the pond with the trees around it, “it’s nice here.” “It’s supposed to be, kind of like a peace or meditation garden.” Tina said, finally standing next to the bench.

“Yeah, Sarah and I had some very good talks here.” Richie said. “She’ll be here soon.” Tina answered him. “Yeah.” Richie agreed for the first time.

He thought of everything they had done, how could Sarah not show up? She was going to be here in less than half an hour. He could feel butterflies starting to flutter in his tummy. He hadn’t felt them since they slept together, he was glad they were back.

“Are you all ready and packed?” Tina asked. “Yeah, just need to get them bags and I’ll be ready to go.” He answered, getting excited that he was finally leaving. “That’s great Richie, I’m gonna miss you, you were a very nice resident.” “Thanks, you were a very nice, eumh, desk person?” He wasn’t entirely sure what her job at that desk was. “Close enough, come on, it’s time to go.” Tina said, starting to walk back.

Richie got up from the bench, walking back over the grass. After a few steps he turned around, taking a mental picture of the garden, the trees where they had picnicked and said how much they liked each other, the beautiful pond with just a few water lilies. Finally, their bench, it stood a few feet from the pond, the black metal and dark wood stood out in the green grass. It fitted both of them perfectly even though the back, that was made out of metal flowers and leaves welded together, was occasionally uncomfortable.

It was time to leave; he turned around again and continued his way.

Upstairs he got his travel bag and his guitar case. As he closed his bedroom door he was glad he was going home. Back to reality.

At the top of the stairs he allowed himself one more time the feeling of the king of the mountain as he looked over the rooms. Tonight he could do that at home.

He could see some people had gather by the door to say goodbye but out of the glass doors he didn’t see anyone, he was probably too far away to be able to see.

He continued his way downstairs; maybe he could look out a window and see. He hadn’t felt this nervous to see somebody in years. She’ll be here, he told himself.

Downstairs he tried to look outside again but didn’t see anything more than the walkway that led to the tree surrounded parking lot. He didn’t like that; it reminded him of his dream. It was only a dream.

“Looking for someone?” He heard Megane’s voice next to him. “Not at all.” Richie answered sarcastically, like she didn’t know who he was looking for.

“I think I saw a car.” She said, thinking it could possibly be Jon or Sarah. “What kind of car?” Richie knew what kind of car Jon would rent or hire someone to drive. “A black SUV.” Megane said.

Richie was relieved, he knew Jon would rent that kind of car, at least Jon was there; his dream was not coming true.

At the desk Tina gave him his phone back. It felt good to have it back. The first few days without it, it was weird not to constantly have it in his jeans’ right front pocket, but he got used to it.

Now he would at least have his planning. If he had that before he would have known he had rehearsals next week.

“Good luck Richie.” Tina said to him as they walked to the door. “Thanks.” He simply said. He was ready to leave now. Everything that he had learned would help him through. He knew he’d be fine now, even better with Sarah in a few minutes.

“It was very nice to meet you.” Megane said while Richie was saying goodbye to everyone and made it to her. “It was nice meeting you too.” He had started to like her a little the last few days. Megane hadn’t done or said anything inappropriate and he was quite pleased with that.

“I’ll see you soon.” Megane said with a smile that sort of freaked him out. He didn’t need a stalker. “What? How?” He asked confused and surprised. “Dunno,” she shrugged, “have a feeling, probably a concert or something, so no worries.” Megane explained to him.

He wondered again if she was psychic or just plain weird. “No groupie stuff.” Richie said strictly. “I promise.” She said quickly. Richie raised his eyebrows a bit in question. “Cross my heart.” Megane added, crossing a finger over her chest where her heart would be. Richie’s expression didn’t change. “Hope to die and all that other stuff that comes.”

Then Richie smiled. “Great, I wouldn’t mind seeing you again, just no groupie stuff.” He explained, he didn’t mean all bad. “Would a hug be totally inappropriate?” Megane asked. “No, I think we can do that.” They shared a quick hug before Richie said goodbye to her and the rest of the group.

He turned to the door, his guitar hung over his shoulder, his bag in his right hand. With his left hand he pulled the door open.

The walkway that led to the parking lot wasn’t very long, he had only walked it once but in the other direction.

Just like in his dream, the walkway was empty. He took one look back at the doors behind him, and then looked down at the pavement. As he raised his head again, his eyes followed the asphalt from his feet to the other side where he saw other feet walking towards him.

He followed the shoes he saw, looking up at them before he walked closer. There were the three people he wanted to see most right now but they waited at the parking lot.

Richie saw his best friend talking to the lady that was standing on his right. His eyes focused on her when she smiled at what she just was being told. God, he had missed that beautiful smile, he realized now even more than he already had.

He looked to the other pretty girl on Jon’s other side. How could she be here? He has discussed a plan with Heather to pick her up from school. Why hadn’t she said she’d be here too? This was much better than surprising her at school.

Ava was the first to approach him, walking away from the adults that had accompanied her, with her arms wide open. “I missed you so much daddy.” Her arms closed around him.

His bag fell from his hand and his guitar slid off his shoulder, resting at his elbow from the force of the hug. “I think I missed you more.” He said as he hugged her back. “That’s just impossible.” She looked up at him, not letting go yet. “Oh is it?” He asked, adding a kiss to the top of her head. Ava smiled, “I’m missing school to see you so I must have missed you very much.” She explained and put her head back down to hug him again.

Richie chuckled, he knew his daughter. “Of course,” he said, “you’d never miss school for something that’s not important. You love school too much for that.” He said. “Exactly.” Ava answered very serious and innocent.

“Shopping with mum is also very important.” Richie teased. “She told you we went shopping yesterday?” Ava asked surprised, letting go of the hug, her eyes wide open. She knew how important her dad thought school was. “No.” He smiled back at her. “Oh.” She realized she had just told him herself.

He loved that she was still young and innocent enough that he could trick her even though he knew Heather sometimes took her to the mall when she actually had school.

“Hey, I thought you couldn’t wait to hug me again.”

Richie hitched his guitar higher, back up his shoulder and picked up his bag. He was glad Jon had given them a few minutes. “Coming honey bun.” He answered, walking towards him.

He dropped his bag again; laying his guitar carefully on top of it, making sure it wouldn’t fall off. Then he wrapped his arms around Jon. “I missed you so much angel.”

Jon hugged him back but said, “Only my mum can call me that.”

Richie let him go. “Sexy then?” He asked. “No,” Jon shook his head, “only Dottie can do that.” “What do I get to call you then?” Richie asked. “Sir or boss.” Jon shrugged, giving a simple answer. “Yeah?”

Jon nodded his answer. “What about ass munch or ass hole?” Richie suggested. He was glad he could joke around with Jon again.

He heard Sarah chuckling next to him and finally turned to her. “I see you already met Jon.” He said. “Yeah, I was standing there,” she pointed at the other side of the parking lot “and he came over and asked if I was your girlfriend.” She explained how they met only a few minutes ago.

Richie took her hands and lifted them in between them, pulling her closer to him. “I guess that is the question of the day. Are you my girlfriend?” He looked into her eyes, searching for an answer before she could say it.

A smile appeared on Sarah’s face. “Of course, after everything the last few weeks, of course I’m your girlfriend.” She smiled up at him.

Richie pulled her closer, bringing her hands to his chest and gave her a short, soft kiss.

“I like that.” He said with a big smile. Then he looked down at their hands on his chest, noticing he wasn’t feeling skin. “What did you do?” He asked worried, as he lifted her right wrist that was wrapped in a white elastic bandage.

“Nothing,” she shrugged, “I sprain my wrists and ankles all the time, weak joints.” She said. “You’ll see.” She gestured to the future in which she was sure she’d do it again. “You’re sure it’s fine?” He asked not entirely convinced yet.

Sarah let his hands go and wrapped her hands around his neck. “Very sure.” She said before she kissed him more deeply than he had done, trying to proof that it was fine and that she was ready for this relationship.

“Love birds, we got young eyes over here.” Jon complained, covering Ava’s eyes with a hand while she was trying to get away from him.

Richie flipped him off without breaking the kiss.

“Come on Ava, we’ll let them walk home.” Jon took Ava with him towards the car.

“I missed you so much; you were all I could think about, which isn’t so good while looking for a job.” Sarah said when they finally broke apart. “I missed you too, everything reminded me of you.” He hugged her close; he didn’t want to let her go any more.

“I’m sorry about Jon though, he’s an idiot.” Richie apologized. “It’s alright; he’s your best friend.” Sarah knew how two boys could act and knew boys didn’t grow up. “As long as you don’t think he’s cute anymore.” Richie jokingly referred to a few weeks ago when Sarah had said the actor in Pay It Forward was cute. “Not after seeing you.”

When they stood facing each other again, Richie held Sarah’s chin and softly stroked his thumb over his jaw. “I missed seeing all this prettiness.” Sarah chuckled, she wasn’t so sure about that yet, and she definitely wasn’t used to someone saying she was pretty. “I’m serious.” Richie said honestly, and then pulled her chin closer to kiss those pretty red lips he had been hoping to kiss again.

“I’m sorry; I’m not used to being called pretty.” Sarah blushed when he let go. “No worries, you’ll get used to it hon.”

“Ass munch, we’re leaving, get in or walk.” Jon pulled up next to them the car. Richie knew he was only joking around.

“See what I mean,” Richie said to Sarah, “just no respect for anyone.” He shook his head even though he appreciated it that he had left them alone a few minutes, but they had to go now. Sarah chuckled, she liked the banter between them, and it showed how close they really were.

“Are you coming too sweetheart?” Jon asked Sarah nicely. “Only I get to call her that sexy.” Richie told him as he opened the back seat door for Sarah and carefully gave her a hand to get in.

Richie picked up his bag and dropped them in the trunk as he rounded the car. He got in the car behind the seat his daughter was in and moved closer to pull Sarah next to him.

He held her hand as Jon pressed down the accelerator and navigated the car out of the parking lot and on to the road.

Richie sighed; this was perfect, he got reunited with his daughter. His best friend would stay a few days too and the best of all, he had the girl he wanted right next to him and he wasn’t letting go any time soon.

“I’m glad you came.” Richie said to her. “You know this doesn’t immediately fixes all my problems right?” Sarah asked quickly, making sure he still understood what it all meant. He nodded. “I know; we’ll work it out.” He assured her. “I’m willing to try.” Sarah said before she reached up for another kiss.

Richie chuckled at the irony that she used a song lyric again. Sarah looked up at him. "Another song?" Richie simply nodded with a big smile.