Page 49 of If We Meet Again

9

September 2014

Ashley

August gave way to September, and the days quickly passed by. The summer was drawing to a close, which meant the bar became busier during the week as the regular locals returned from their vacations and began to wind down, ready for the winter. When Ashley wasn’t working, she found herself writing. The inspiration she’d lacked for so long had found its way back—she had Megan to thank for that.

On Wednesday morning, she stopped by Nancy’s bar. A place she now often frequented alone. She found solace within the four walls. She took her usual spot to the right of the bar; the plush velvet green chairs were the comfiest, accompanied by a charging port for her laptop and the proximity to the bar—it was the perfect spot. A grey, short-haired man with a slim build and rough stubble appeared moments after she sat down with a glass of soda.

“Hi, sweetheart.” He placed the glass down and smiled broadly, happy to see her as always.

“Thanks, Christopher. I hope you’re adding theseto my tab.”

“Sure, sure.” He waved her off. Ashley knew he wouldn’t. She had tried for two months to pay for her drinks, buthe refused.

“Why don’t I believe you?”

He shrugged and walked away, laughing to himself, wiping the tables as he went. Ashley had grown close to Nancy and Christopher since their first sit-down conversation two months prior, and in return, they had grown rather fond of her. The conversations about their story often turned into deep meaningful exchanges about life, love and oddly, forgiveness. The latter being the one Ashley struggled with the most. The days turned into nights so easily, and she found herself learning and growing with each interaction. It started off as an assignment, a way to build her confidence again in the hope her love for writing would return. If she happened to write an article that got published, then that was a bonus. After a few weeks, it became so much more, it took on a deeper meaning and the guidance she received from Nancy whilst she followed the journey to the final finished article wasinvaluable.

Ashley’s mom was adopted and her dad’s parents died when she was young, she felt a void from not having grandparents, especially growing up, when other kids would talk about staying at their ‘Grams’ for the weekend. The bond she had created with Nancy and Christopher brought her a sense of belonging.Is this what it feels like to have grandparents?she often asked herself. The advice and the wisdom they offered with every conversation brought her great satisfaction.

Nancy appeared by her side. Her shoulder-length grey hair looked lighter than usual; it was pulled back off her face with a large old-fashioned barrette and a matching set of small, diamond hoop earrings. The lines around her eyes seemed less prominent—she’d applied make-up today.

“You look amazing.”

She took a seat beside Ashley. “Thank you, darling.”

“Are you goingsomewhere?”

“Just out for breakfast with my daughter.” Ashley had heard all about Julie from Megan, and more recently from Nancy, but they’d never met.

“Lovely. Anywhere nice?”

“I’m not sure actually, I told her to surprise me.”

“That sounds exciting.” Ashley reached into the folder to the left of her laptop. “I actually have something for you, if you’ve got a minute?”

“I always have a minute for you, dear.” Nancy’s eyes widened when she saw the newspaper. “Is that the article?”

Ashley’s dimpled grin emitted pure delight. “It might be.”

“You got published?” Nancy squealed.

“Yes! Can youbelieve it?”

“Yes, because I knew you would.” Nancy embraced Ashley, squeezing tightly with enthusiasm. “When did you find out?”

“I only found out yesterday that it had been brought forward and it would be printed in today’s paper.” Ashley held the paper in her hands, careful not to crease it.

“You didn’t even tell me you’d sent it.”

“I wanted it to bea surprise.”

Nancy held out her hands. “CanI read it?”

“Of course. I thought you should bethe first.”

“Haven’t you looked at it?”