Colorful Past

Chapter 3

Click. Snap. Click. Snap. Click. Snap. Click....Alex looked up when he sensed someone approaching...Snap. After fidgeting with the lighter for almost an hour, Alex was two minutes from going outside for another cigarette. Someday he'd be able to quit. If he ever convinced himself that he really wanted to. His thumb brushed over the Marine Corps emblem on the outside of the dulled metal surface of the lighter. He slipped it back into his trouser pocket and stood as Abby walked up to him.

Abby watched him as she walked over. What did she say to him now? Her heart ached with the need to just hug him and beg his forgiveness. Instead she just stood holding her arms resting over her chest. "They're going to look into it. If someone saw him grab me then they can do something."

Her mind raced as he looked up at her hearing the disappointment in his voice earlier still a fresh wound. But the moment he looked at her with those amazing eyes and cupid bow lips her heart stilled. Licking her lips lightly to help find her voice she finally spoke softly. "Thank you for staying, Alex. It means a lot to me."

At least he'd gotten her to let the police know what was happening with Eddie. They could look into it. But Alex would still have to watch out for her. Alex sighed with a bit relief and nodded. "You're welcome." He took in her face. The sadness, regret, and fear. Some of that, Alex could do something about. The rest, she'd have to do on her own. He managed a slight grin. "Let's get you home."

He slid into the cab next to her. "Does he know where you live? Has he been there?"

That same thought had crossed her mind several times. "The only place I've seen him is at the bus stop and the museum. I don't think he knows where I live."

He didn't have any desire to be with her right now. Not while he was angry. Their whole relationship started on a lie. Alex needed more time to process that. But if Eddie was capable of putting his hands on Abby, he might be capable of finding out where she lived. She had good security in her building. It would most likely keep Eddie out. And there was very little chance the gallery would be negligent enough to give out her address. He felt relatively secure in the knowledge that Eddie wasn't likely to show up tonight. But, Alex wasn't sure in Abby getting through the night. She was a mess and as much as he didn't want to deal with it, Alex couldn't let her be by herself right now. "I'll stay at your place tonight then take you to work in the morning."

Surprised to say the least she turned from looking out the window to him. Having him so near but so distant would hurt but she didn't want to be alone. There were a million things on the tip of her tongue to say but all she could managed to get her lips to form was, "Alright. Thanks, I really don't want to be alone."

Arriving back to her apartment Abby set down her keys and bag. Alex was always so warm and tender it felt horrible, this coldness between them. Turning she looked at him with a soft sad grin. "Have you eaten? I'll fix something."

Glancing around the apartment as he thought, Alex glanced up at her and shook his head. "No, you don't have to do that. I'll go downstairs to the café next door and pick up some sandwiches." He walked across the soft carpet and took a relaxed breath as he stepped into the hall. He crossed the quiet lobby and greeted the doorman on his way out. The air outside was heavy with the fumes of traffic. Alex hated the smell of diesel from the busses.

At the café, he opened the door for a well-dressed woman as she came out. She thanked him with a smile through perfect teeth. Alex tried to hold his polite smile as he nodded "You're welcome." Her perfume may have been expensive, but it gave him a headache. He was thankful for the scent of fresh bread and cold cuts when he walked inside the café.

With a large white paper bag loaded with sandwiches, soup, chips, cold drinks, and enough napkins to wipe an elephant's mouth, Alex walked back to the apartment building. In five minutes, he was through the lobby, off the elevator, and walking down the corridor to Abby's apartment. Alex shifted the bag to his other hand as he knocked on the door.

The knock startled her out of thought. It was probably Alex but still better to be cautious. Looking though the peephole she smiles softly seeing him loaded with the large sack. He always bought out the store. Quickly she unlocked the door and let him back in. As he passed her Abby got a whiff of his cologne. That scent alone brought comfort. For the last few nights it's all she had was a bit of his scent left on her sheets. Following him to the table she smiled softly. Everything felt off... awkward, she hated it. "Smells good."

As he pulled everything from the bag and set it on the table, he glanced up at her and forced a grin. It was hard to be angry at the woman he loved. They'd always had so much fun being together. "Yeah. Angelo makes the best meatball subs." Alex set down the bottles of sweet tea that she liked so much. He took out a white box from the bottom and walked over to the kitchen and set it in the freezer. He came back to the table and unwrapped his sandwich onto his plate. "Angelo threw in a chocolate pie." He glanced up at her as she opened the bottle of tea and took a sip. Yeah he was angry, but he loved her. It may take time, but they'd work it out. Alex opened a bag of chips and poured it out onto the plate next to his sandwich.

After dinner, he came out from the bathroom and found she had made up the sofa with fresh sheets, blankets and pillows before she'd gone to bed. Alex settled onto the sofa and fell asleep thinking about the first time they'd made love.

He woke the next morning to the smell of coffee and the sounds of her getting ready for work. Alex folded up the sheets and blankets then set the pillows on top of them. He would have taken them to her bedroom, but he just didn't have the heart at the moment. He went to the bathroom to freshen up then came into the kitchen as she was sipping on a cup of coffee. "Almost ready to go?"

Seeing him sleeping on the couch as she came out of the bedroom this morning had been a mixed moment. Happiness to see him there and sadness that he wasn't in her bed. Giving him a soft grin Abby nodded. "Yeah, I am." Looking at him she couldn't help setting down her cup and straightening his tie. Smiling softly she smoothed it down before turning to pick up her purse off the counter.

Setting it back down for a moment she sighed and turned to him. "Alex, you didn't have to stay last night. Or do anything else for me. I lied to you about my past and I'm more sorry than you'll ever know that I made the mistake of not trusting you with it. I do love you, so much. That was never a lie. Will you give me a chance to earn your trust back?"

He sighed heavily. When he stayed last night he knew this might happen. Knew she wasn't going to give him time to cool off and think. She never did. But this time, she needed to. He wasn't in the mood for this conversation. Not this early in the damn morning and it certainly wasn't how he wanted to start the day. He was already going to be thinking about it constantly. Alex pushed his hands into his pockets. "We'll talk later. Are you ready for work?"

Abby nodded, she knew as soon as she opened her big mouth it was a mistake. Damn it why couldn't she think with her head for once.

Not seeing Eddie she sighed with relief and got out of the car. Turning back as she closed the door she gave Alex a soft grin. "Thanks. Have a good day. I... I'll see you later maybe."

When he nodded she closed the door and went inside. The day was filled with activity as the paintings arrived from France and started their evaluation for restoration. As Abby looked over the Degas she caught sight of someone out the window. Turning there was no one there, so she walked over and looked out. Eddie was crossing the street to stand against a post. She looked around for the Polaroid instant camera and took a couple of pics. Made sure to include the street sign so there was proof of where he was. Maybe with this the police could do something. Forcing her mind to push the greasy man out of it she went back to work. With the activity the day flew by.

As she gathered her back pack Abby couldn't get Alex out of her mind. She loved him and though it would be difficult she knew she could regain his trust. Instead of getting on the bus she took a cab to Stavros first to pick up his favorite pizza pie then to his place.

Earlier, Alex had stopped by the gallery to pick up Abby from work. He didn't want to chance Eddie following her to the bus stop again. However, by the time he'd gotten to the gallery, Abby was already gone.

Worried, he tried calling but got no answer. He went up to her door and knocked, but still no answer. Not finding her increased his worry. Alex went back to the gallery to ask about her. James, one of the other curators, told him that he'd seen Abby get on the bus.

A dozen thoughts went through his mind. Alex went back to his apartment in the hopes that Abby had come by to see him. She'd done it before when they'd had disagreements.

He stepped off the elevator and felt the surge of energy in his body as he walked quickly down the corridor. Relief hit him immediately when he turned the corner and saw Abby standing at the door of his apartment. She was balancing a pizza box in one hand, knocking on his door with the other.

All of his day had been filled with thoughts of Abby. He knew in his heart she hadn't meant to lie to him to hurt him. She was scared and doing the only thing she thought would work in keeping her safe. Alex wanted Abby's safety. And looking at her now, what he knew he wanted more than anything....was Abby.

He walked down the hall and when she turned and offered a hopeful, apologetic smile...he did the same. Alex opened the door then leaned to her and gingerly kissed her cheek as he took the pizza from her. "Smells good. So does the pizza."

Alex pushed the door open further and stood back to let her step inside. He followed her then turned to close the door. The past was the past. With a soft grin, he turned back to look at Abby....his future.