Page 69 of Crying in the Rain
Two weeks apart, forty miles or so between them, yet the connection was still there, that undeniable, irresistible attraction. Kris had missed Ade like crazy but didn’t want to put pressure on him by admitting it, so he stayed quiet and simply appreciated knowing Ade was on the other end of the line.
“So will you get the train?” he asked eventually, at the same time as Ade said, “I’ll either get the train…”
Kris waited for the ‘or’, but nothing else came his way. “Ade?”
“Still here. Just…the car. I had to tell my mum what happened, and I’m so mad about it. But anyway, I’ll figure out the train times and let you know.”
“I wish I could fix it,” Kris said.
“You in greasy overalls, pulling an engine apart?ThatI’d love to see!”
Kris laughed. “Never happening!”
“Shame.” Ade was laughing too. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me neither. Can I meet you at the station? Is that OK?”
“That’s perfect,” Ade said.
24: Connections
Kris
It was tooearly for Casper’s evening patrol of the neighbourhood, too late and too wet for playing Frisbee in the park. In need of something to occupy his mind, Kris took him anyway, but the dog must’ve been picking up on his mood and was reluctant to leave his side. After no more than half a dozen half-hearted throws and fetches, Kris put him back on his lead and continued onwards to the salon to meet Shaunna from work.
“What’s the matter?” she asked the second she saw him.
Kris shrugged. “Ade’s coming to the party.”
“That’s good. Isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Kris said glumly.
“Weirdo.” Shaunna hooked her arm through his and they fell in step, taking a slow stroll homeward, or as slow a stroll as Casper would permit. “So why the long face?” she asked.
“Don’t know.”
Twice more, she tried to start a conversation, but Kris genuinely had no idea why he was feeling so miserable. Ade had seemed in good spirits, and he was the one who’d suggested coming over at the weekend. There was no reason for Kris to worry he’d pushed Ade into anything, yet he couldn’t shake it off.
They arrived back at the house, and Shaunna went upstairs to shower, leaving Kris with instructions to make cups of tea and get ready to explain himself. Tea made, he sat at the table and awaited her return, using the time to think through how he was feeling, hoping that once he put it into words it would make more sense.
“Oh dear.”
He glanced behind him to where she was standing in the kitchen doorway, arms folded, watching him.
“I didn’t hear you come down.”
“Hmm.” She came over and sat, still watching him as she picked up her tea and took a sip. “Ahhhh. That’s better.”
“Tough day?”
“No tougher than usual, although Hayley went to the wholesaler’s, so I’ve been in the stockroom all afternoon.” She took another sip of tea and relaxed back in her chair, waiting patiently for him to talk to her. Another sip…
“It hurts,” he said, but that was all he’d come up with.
Shaunna peered at him over the rim of her cup.
He shook his head, utterly confused. The feelings were so intense he didn’t know how to deal with them. He was missing Ade like they’d been together for years. It was too soon to need someone so much, and it was frightening. He put down his cup and pressed his palms together, trying to centre his thoughts.
