Coming Back

Mrs. Jennifer Stone woke up in the early morning. She put on her clothes and went to the kitchen to cook breakfast for her husband.
– Good morning, Roy! – Jennifer said when her husband entered the kitchen.
– Morning, – he mumbled and sat at the table. Jennifer put a plate with scrambled eggs and bacon in front of her husband. She also put a cup of espresso on the table and asked:
– Won't you at least give me a smile? You're always so serious!
– I'm a professor, remember?
– I know you're a professor, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't smile.
– Only stupid people smile very often.
– I smile all the time; does it mean I'm stupid?
– That's different. You're a woman. You can do stupid things.
– What a man you are! We've been living together for six years, but I still don't get your strange convictions.
– Let's talk about this later. I have to go 'cause my students wait for me.
– See you! – Mrs. Stone said after Roy left for work. She had breakfast and phoned her elder sister Maggie.
– What's up, Jennifer? – Maggie asked. – You never call me in the morning.
– I want to talk to you. Will you have a plenty of time today?
– Well, I'm a bit busy today. Is it important?
– Yes.
– Ok, let's meet at our favorite caf; at 2 p.m.
– Thanks, Maggie. You're a great sister.
Jennifer made a deep breath thinking of any occupation until 2 p.m. She cleaned the house, washed her car and changed the oil in it. Then she drove to the store, bought something for dinner and returned home. Had no idea what to do Mrs. Stone turned on TV.
At 2 p.m. Jennifer and Maggie met at the caf;. They ordered two cups of coffee and began to talk.
– Maggie, I'm so glad you got some time for me. I don't know what I would do if I were alone.
– I don't get what's going on. Are you alright?
– Everything's fine. Except for the fact that my life is incredibly boring!
– Well-well-well. It's because of Roy, I guess?
– Yeah. He is the most boring person I've ever met! You know, I'm a thirty-three-year-old woman but I feel like I'm a sixty-year-old retired granny! We always live according to the schedule, even on the weekends. Never a party, never a plenty of joy! I want to try something new, but he doesn't!
– As far as I know Roy's got a great library. Why don't you read those books? Aren't they interesting?
– I've read every book in his library for five times. You're right, they are interesting, but I want my real life to be as interesting as those books. It doesn't seem to be possible with Roy. Do you know what he says? He says smiles are for stupid people! Having fun is for stupid people!
– Was your life more interesting with that your high school boyfriend? What was his name, mmm?
– Andy. His name was Andy. That year when he was my boyfriend was the best year of all my life. Except for the fact that…
– He was going out with your best friend, – Maggie finished the sentence. – I know this story. You saw them together at prom night.
– With him I felt like I was alive, – Jennifer sighed.
– I need to go to the lady's room. I'll be back in a minute and we'll continue, ok? – Maggie asked standing up from her chair. Jennifer nodded. In two minutes her elder sister came back with a lovely smile on her face. She sat to the table and said:
– I got your problem. I know a thing which will definitely help you.
– What's that? A divorce?
– A job!
– A job? You know I left my job almost five years ago. I'm not sure I can be a good worker after such a break.
– Jennifer, stop it! Our company searches for a new accountant and you're a good one. Just try!
– Ok, I'll do that.
– Good decision. I'll talk to my boss and call you in the evening.
Maggie went to her work, and Jennifer returned home. She didn't believe that the idea of getting a job will work out, but in the evening Maggie called her and told she was invited to the interview. On the next day Mrs. Stone successfully passed the interview and got a job of an accountant.
Jennifer's sister was right: getting back to work brought some difference in her life. But at the same time being home became even more unbearable. Jennifer saw a lot of people and compared them with Roy. Gradually she came to the opinion that answering "yes" to Roy's proposal was the hugest mistake in her life. But why did she do that? There was only one reason: she was afraid to be alone. Jennifer was 26 when Roy suddenly appeared in her life. She hadn't had boyfriend since the graduation from high school. It seemed like Mr. Stone was her only chance to overcome the feeling of loneliness and boredom. That's why when Roy asked, "Will you marry me?" Jennifer said, "Yes". Maybe, it would be better if she had said "no"?
Jennifer had been working at the company for a couple of months when the boss asked her to come in his cabinet.
– Jennifer, I need your help. Can I count on you? – the boss asked.
– Probably, yes.
– My assistant is on leave now, and I need a person who can go to our partners to prolong the contract.
– I can't do that. I've never come across with such serious issues.
– You're a good specialist. I'm sure you can handle it. I'll tell you everything you have to know.
– Why don't you go there personally?
– I'm going to participate in a very important conference, so I'm leaving tonight.
– Then why don't you send someone else?
– I am a boss here. Let me decide who's better to send.
– Ok, – Jennifer whispered. Her boss continued:
– You must be in N… city tomorrow at midday sharp. Here the address is, – the boss gave Mrs. Stone a sheet of paper.
– N… city? – Jennifer asked.
– Yeah. It takes about an hour to get there. The representative of our partners will meet you there. He'll take you to the hotel where you will stay. The room is already booked.
– How long will I stay there?
– Until both sides sign all the necessary documents.
– But what if they don't want to prolong partnership?
– Trust me, they want to. Let's better discuss its conditions.
Jennifer spent a lot of time listening to her boss and trying to remember the new information. When she was leaving the cabinet the boss said:
– If you do it well you'll get a good raise to your salary.
Mrs. Stone didn't care much about money. She didn't want to take such a responsibility but wanted to go somewhere, so she was given an opportunity to do it.
When Jennifer told her husband that she would be away he asked:
– For how long?
– I don't know.
– You go somewhere and you don't know for how long?!
– I'll be there until our partners sign the contract.
– Oh, that explains everything! – Roy said with some irritation in his voice. Mr. and Mrs. Stone had dinner and went to bed.
– Roy, will you miss me?
– I got no time for this. I teach students and I'm currently working on my new research. I'm too busy to notice your absence.
Jennifer sighed, turned off the night-light and fell asleep.
In the morning Mrs. Stone picked things, filed up the car and drove to the highway. She switched on radio and enjoyed the ride. Jennifer tried to relax, but it wasn't so easy to do. N… city was the place where she was born. It was the place where she studied at school and where she met Andy. He was her first and, maybe, the only true love. Jennifer was very happy with him until she found out what was going on between her boyfriend and her best school friend Nikki.
It happened at the prom night. Andy and Jennifer danced together a lot; he said he would bring some drinks and asked Jennifer to stay there. She danced and danced, but he didn't show up. Andy was absent for a half of an hour when Jennifer decided to look for him. She was walking along the school corridors when she heard some noise. Jennifer opened the door to the nearest class and turned on the light. Andy and Nikki were sitting on the desk and kissing. They stopped doing it when noticed the light was on. Andy tried to apologize, but Jennifer didn't listen. She ran away from there, came outside and went home on foot. She felt completely broken. Prom, the night which was supposed to be the best, became terrible. Maggie was the only person who Jennifer could rely on. Elder sister took her to M… city where Jennifer entered the college and successfully graduated from it. She stayed there and never came back to her native city. That's why she was worrying on the way to N… city. She was afraid of her memories and feelings.
Jennifer drove to the place where she was expected at midday sharp, as the boss told her. The representative of the partnership company gave her the address of the hotel and the schedule of meetings. Jennifer drove to the hotel and checked-in. When she was already in her room she looked through the schedule. Tomorrow they were going to show her the company and tell about its history. On the day after tomorrow the head of the company invited her to visit his cottage in the suburbs. The third day was aimed to hold a presentation showing the positive results and tendencies of partnership. The fourth day, finally, included the consideration of the conditions of the contract's prolongation.
According to the schedule Jennifer was absolutely free today. She had a lot of time before the evening, so she decided to drive around N… city. Mrs. Stone went to the hotel's parking, started her car and began the ride. She hadn't been here for more than 10 years. During this time the city changed a lot. There had appeared new streets and new buildings, new shopping malls, new cinema theaters and new parks. But despite all of it Jennifer felt like she had never left this place. She knew everything here. She drove to the city mall and came in it. It felt like the time reversed. She was a high school student again. She liked to go to the mall with her best friend Nikki. They always had a lot of fun walking here, buying new stuff and talking about school, boys, parties, music and fashion. But now that time was gone forever.
Jennifer came outside of the mall and got into her car. She wanted to look at the school where she studied and drove there. Her school was the same as it was many years ago. It represented two two-storeyed buildings made of red brick. The buildings were connected to each other by a long corridor. There was also a big stadium behind them. Now the school football team was training there. Jennifer looked at them for a while and kept on driving.
The next place she wanted to see was a recreation park which was located not far from the school. Here Jennifer parked her car and went to the park on foot. It was her favorite place while she was in high school. Here Jennifer and Andy usually spent time together after classes or, sometimes, even instead of them. Mrs. Stone came to a big flowerbed and sat on the nearest bench. She remembered very well that it was the place of their first date.
– Look at you! – suddenly someone said. – You haven't changed. Feels like the time came back.
Jennifer turned her head to the speaker. She recognized Andy and couldn't say a word. He sat on the bench and told:
– I come here almost every evening, walk in the park and recall my memories about us. You know, I feel guilty for what I have done. I've made a terrible mistake and didn't have a chance to apologize to you.
– It's ok. Everyone makes mistakes.
– You don't.
– Believe me or not, I've made a big mistake marrying my present husband.
– You're married? – Andy asked in surprise. – What's his name?
– Roy Stone.
– So, you've married Mr. Stone with his face just like a stone? – Andy sang. Jennifer laughed and said:
– You have no idea how right you are! He always tries to look serious, so his face is very similar to a stone. Are you married?
– No, I've never been married.
– Why?
– I had been waiting for you. I understood that it was my entire fault, but I hoped you could forgive me. I still hope you can.
– I don't want to discuss it. I'm here because of my work. I came to prolong the contract with our partners.
– You must have a good position, then.
– I'm just an accountant. The boss sent me because neither he nor his assistant was able to go.
– Oh.
– What about you?
– I'm a journalist. I work in a publishing house and write small articles for city newspapers.
– I think it's amazing!
– Really? If you want you can come to our publishing house, and I'll show you how a newspaper comes into the world.
– It would be great. So, where is this publishing house?
– It's in the downtown. Do you remember Bram's Movie Theater?
– Sure.
– The publishing house is exactly opposite to it. You'll see.
– Ok, I'll come if I can.
– See you tomorrow, Jennifer.
Mrs. Stone smiled and went to the parking.
On the next day Jennifer had breakfast at the hotel and went to the partnership company. She got a lot of new information about it from the director of the marketing department. She told Jennifer about the history of its development, about its international connections and its products. Mrs. Stone saw every department and had lunch at the company's canteen. After that she was offered to stay in the marketing department till the evening, but Jennifer rejected it. She said she wanted to get some rest after the morning excursion. As soon as Mrs. Stone came out of the company she sat into her car and drove to the downtown. The publishing house was very easy to find. She parked the car and went inside.
– Looking for someone? – one of the employees asked when noticed a visitor.
– I'm looking for Andy, – Jennifer answered.
– Andy! – this man shouted. – Here's a pretty woman. She wants to see you. Is this Miss your girlfriend?
– Missis, actually, – Jennifer told. – Andy and I studied in the same school. I'm not his girlfriend.
– I got it, – the man said. – Andy, where are you?
– I'm already here, – Andy said entering the room. – I'm working on my new article. Wanna see it, Jennifer?
– Yeah.
– Let's go.
Andy showed Jennifer the drafts of his article. Then he introduced to her Sam, the photographer, Brian, the editor, Debora, another photographer, Richard, the deputy director, and other personnel of the publishing house. Andy also showed her how articles were being written and placed on the pages of the newspaper. Then Jennifer and Andy went to a restaurant which was close to the publishing house.
– Will you come to the park tomorrow in the evening? – Andy asked.
– I don't know, – Mrs. Stone said. – If I'm not busy I'll come, but it doesn't depend on me personally. The day after tomorrow, maybe, will be better for that, but I'm not sure.
– Just know, I'll be there every evening in case if you decide to come.
– Ok.
They had dinner, and Jennifer returned to the hotel. She felt a bit tired after two excursions a day, so she took a shower and went to bed.
On the second day Mrs. Stone visited the company's head's cottage in the suburbs. He and his wife made up a barbeque in their backyard. There she found out that her boss was the younger brother of the hostess.
– It's strange that he had sent me to his relatives, – Jennifer said.
– Nothing's strange. My brother-in-law likes to do that. It's kind of a hobby: he sends a new person to us every year.
– He still thinks his employees can teach us something new, – the hostess smiled.
Jennifer was at their cottage almost until midnight. She returned to the hotel tired and sleepy, but in spite of it she thought it was a wonderful day.
On the next day Mrs. Stone spent at the company the whole day watching the presentation about the partnership results. She felt sleepy and didn't remember any information whether it was important or not. When the presentation was finally over Jennifer went to the park. Andy was already waiting for her with a bouquet of roses.
– You couldn't come yesterday, right? – Andy said and gave Jennifer the bouquet.
– I was too busy yesterday. But now I'm here.
– Yeah, that makes me happy. Wanna walk?
Jennifer nodded. They walked together across several alleys. Suddenly Andy stopped and looked Jennifer in the eyes.
– You know, my feelings are as strong as they were when I was in high school. It's not only memories. I've loved you for all these years, Jennifer, – he said and kissed her. Mrs. Stone pushed him away.
– Why are you doing this?! You know, I'm married, don't you? – she shouted.
– You've said your marriage was a mistake. Are you happy with him?
– It's none of your business. I'd better go.
– I know you still feel something about me. I'll be here tomorrow in the evening. If I'm right, if you still love me you'll come.
Jennifer went away without saying anything. She came back to the hotel, took a shower and went to bed. She couldn't get asleep for a long time as she thought about Andy. Even if he was right, if she still loved him how could she trust Andy after everything that had happened between them?
On the next day Jennifer prepared herself for a long discussion of the contract, but it was unexpectedly easy. She came to the company and went to the conference hall where the head of the company and two his assistants waited for her. Mrs. Stone told them everything that her boss had told her before.
– We accept these conditions, – the head of the company said. Both sides signed all the documents, and Jennifer returned to the hotel. She picked up her things, checked out and drove to the park. Jennifer took the bouquet presented by Andy and went to the flowerbed. She sat on the bench embracing the red roses despite their stems were thorny. Soon she stood up and got back into the car.
On the way back to M… city Jennifer was deep in thoughts. She couldn't figure out her feelings. On one hand, she didn't want to come back home to her husband "Mr. Stone with his face just like a stone", to the old boring life with him. On the other hand, she couldn't go to Andy because it was difficult to trust someone who had betrayed you. Suddenly Jennifer remembered about the roses and tried to find them, but they weren't in the car. She understood she could leave the bouquet in the park. It was kind of reason to come there again, so Jennifer made her choice.
When Mrs. Stone got back home she knew exactly what she would do. In the evening she came to Roy and said:
– I need to talk to you.
– I'm busy, – he answered without raising a head from his books.
– I want a divorce, – Jennifer stated. Her husband looked at her for a while and kept on reading a book.
– Didn't you hear me? I want a divorce!
– You'll get it, – Mr. Stone replied.
– And you won't even roll a scandal or something like that?
– What for? I got used to live with you; I'll get used to live without you.
– I guess you're not interested why I do this.
– You're right. Now leave me alone, please, – Roy said. Jennifer came out of the room.
In the morning she called her boss and asked for a meeting out of the company. They met at the caf;. Jennifer gave him the documents and reported on her resignation. The boss was dissatisfied but let her go. Jennifer returned home and started picking up stuff. In a half of an hour she was interrupted by a door bell. It was her sister Maggie.
– The boss said you quitted. What's going on? – Maggie asked and went inside. She noticed bags on the floor and said:
– What are you doing? Please, don't tell me you met there your school boyfriend.
– I did. I'm coming back.
– What about Roy?
– We are divorcing.
– You're ready to destroy your family because of old memories?
– I still love him. I wanna be happy whatever it takes. I'm coming back.
– Is there any chance to stop you?
– I guess, not.
– Ok, good luck with that, Jennifer, – Maggie said and went away. Jennifer picked up all her things, put them into the trunk and set to go.
In the evening Jennifer was in the park of N… city. She looked for the bouquet, but it wasn't there.
– Isn't it what you're looking for? – someone said. She turned. Andy stood right behind her and held a bouquet of roses in his hands. Jennifer smiled.
– What made you come back? – Andy asked.
– Well, you've made a mistake, then I've made a mistake, so, I think, we deserve each other, – Jennifer replied. They kissed, and Jennifer told:
– I left my home, I quitted my job and I'm divorcing with my husband. You know, I've ruined all my life.
– It's ok. We'll start a new one, – Andy smiled.

August 2012