Kiss Me

Part Thirteen

Henley

"Tara and I are sorry we didn't go back to mom's a couple of days ago. The trip was tiring, but in a good way." Meg winked.

I screwed up my nose. "Please don't tell me." I chuckled and picked up my pint.

"Of course I'm not going to tell you the details," she chides and downs the last of her wine. "But I missed you bro and I got you something," I watched her go through that oversized hand bag of hers. I still don't get how women need such a huge bag for their purse. It fascinates me. "Here." She said handing me a brown paper bag.

"Okay, this feels ominous."

"Just open it you idiot."

"Fine." Slowly I opened the bag. I guess I was worried that something would jump out at me, but it didn't. "A bottle?" I question.

"Yeah, but it's special."

"Really?" I mumbled pulling it from the bag. It was a clear glass bottle with a small cork in the neck. Then I noticed a rolled up note inside. "A note?"

"Well, it's one of those bottles you'd put wishes in and chuck it in the ocean. But I didn't have any wishes for myself. So I made a wish for you."

"Meg," Damn. "Thank you. Now what should I do with it?"

"Well you can keep it on your mantle or chuck it in the ocean." She said snatching it back.

"What wish is it?"

Meg shied away a little, then smiled. "I wished you'd find happiness."

My little sister is so grown up now and making wishes for her brother. I wanted to cry. Actually, I think I'm going to cry. "I'll keep it with me."

Passing me back the bottle, her other hand covers mine. A sweet gesture I can never get enough of. "One day you will find your right path. So believe it bro."

"I'm going to cry Meg."

"Oh god no, don't cry. Please."

"Too late," I choked and wiped my eyes. "You...you know how to make me blubber like a baby."

"Silly idiot," she said holding back her own tears. "I just love you so much and wish for you to be happy."

"I am happy."

Meg shook her head, letting her soft locks fall over her face. "No, you're not."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because your eyes tell a whole different story."

I take a deep breath and set the bottle to the side of me. And took Megs hand again. "Meg, just know that I'm slowly trying to find my way. After everything that's happened, I'm starting to see new things. Feel new things. I will get there eventually."

"When you do. Don't let go, okay?"

I nod. "Yeah."

"Shall we go back to yours, you can cook dinner."

"So, this is how it really is? You sweet talking me to get fed?"

"Of course." She giggled. "Now feed your poor sister."

"Oh god," I moan, holding myself. "You've twisted my arm and I'm telling mom you're just using me."

"You're a real funny guy, you know that?"

"Yep. I'm the best damn comedian you will ever meet."

"Shut up and feed me."

I smiled and drank the last of my beer and stood up. "Let's go." I said and grabbed my precious gift. My sister is one of the most selfless people you will ever meet. Even after finding out that our mother wasn't her mom, she still wished that we be a family. She wished that we never find faults in each other and that, for the rest of our lives we will be happy and content. As far as the family goes, I'm happy and content. But matters of the heart is a whole different thing.

We left the bar and took a leisurely walk through the park on the way to mine. Although it's dark and cold, the park lets off an ambience that you could just shroud yourself in. It's peaceful. "So," Meg grumbled. "How is everything going?"

"With what?" I replied and wrapped my arm around her small shoulders.

"With you of course."

"I'm alive."

"You're such an idiot at times."

I squeeze her tighter to my side. Shielding her from the bitter cold. "What about you and Tara?"

She went silent for a moment. "She asked me to marry her."

"What? Really?"

"Yeah."

"Did you say yes?"

"Of course I did. But I'm kind of scared."

I stopped in front of Meg and leaned down so we were eye to eye. "Don't be scared. You're perfect for each other. Although she kind of terrifies me at times. You both bounce off each other. I'm proud of you, so please don't be scared."

"Thank you bro. I want you to walk me down the aisle."

God, I'm so happy. "I definitely will." With that we carried on at our leisure until my apartment block came into view. "So, what do you want to eat?"

"What have you got?"

"Hmm," I hummed. Thinking not much. I've not been shopping. I'd be lucky if I had in date bread. "Takeaway it is."

"You'll get fat you know."

"Then I guess I need to pick up jogging again."

"Good," she giggled. "I want Vietnamese food."

"Anything for you." We finally made it into the building. The warmth hit me and I had to remove my coat. "Oh, hey Mrs Wilson." I said to the elderly woman who lives a few floors down from me. She's a wonderful woman, can't say much for her snappy chihuahua. That thing scares the shit out of me.

"Good evening you two," she smiles and walked towards us. I hold my hands behind my back so that devil creature couldn't try and snap at my fingers like last week. "Oh, Henley. I let some young boy in earlier. He said he knew you and needed to see you."

"What?"

"Yeah. I was a little apprehensive at first. But he seemed so desperate."

"Henley, what is it?" Meg asked. I felt my whole body go cold and I rushed from them both. Ignoring the lift and ran the flights of stairs until my lungs started to burn. I made it to my floor, I felt like I was going to pass out any second. Yet my stomach flopped when I didn't see him. Maybe it wasn't him. Fuck! My internal voice was screaming, making my heart take extra beats and I flung open my front door to see a neatly folded piece of paper. "Hen...ley, you idiot…"

I scour at Meg as my hands held onto the piece of paper. "I...I need to tell you something," I said, Her face dropped and my eyes fell on the paper and I opened it. Neat beautiful hand writing. "Just, wait a sec." I said taking a seat on my sofa, then proceeded to read.

To Henley.

I’m sitting here tonight making wishes on the stars. Thinking of you. Of us. I wish I could talk to you right now, but we both know I never say the things that I should. Or maybe I do, but just to the wrong people. I’ve used the excuse that we met in a bar, and that we were only a one-night stand, but you know me. It turns out that I’m a liar. Because the truth is, we’ve met lots of places, before we even knew it. And no matter how hard I fought not to, I fell in love with you every single time. I made a mistake when I said I couldn't give you anymore than just sex. And I thought so hard that you deserve someone who isn’t afraid to tell the whole world how sacred a feeling it is being loved by you. I wish that someday that someone is me. The whole me. All of the parts of me. Because you’re the only one who’s ever seen them and it’s a crime that I’ve made you feel like they weren’t yours all along. You asked me what I had to lose and I told you everything, it was a lie. I wanted you, you're feelings, you're warmth. I’m selfish because I want them all. I want to find new parts of you and plant flags with my name on them. If the saying "you hurt the ones you love the most" is true, then I wish I could love you less so that loving me wasn’t so hard. We fought. And I ran hard. I’ve only just realized that we were on the same side. And I’m rooting for us. I don’t know how I’m going to do it, and it might take me the rest of my life, but I’ll see to it that you finally catch me. But most of all, you precious man, I wish you knew that I’m here, wishing for you.

Aya.

"Henley, I'm worried. What's going on?"

I looked up my wonderful sweet sister as the tears fell over my cheeks like a cascading waterfall. "I'm...in love." I whispered.

She smiled and held out her hand. "Do I need to guess who it is?"

I frown. "Meg, it's the guy from Vibe. The lap dancer."

She gasps and kneels down in front of me. "Is that so?"

"Yeah. Do you think I'm mad?"

"I told you before that you will find your path. I'm so happy you have."

"Thank you."

"Can I read the note? Or is it too personal?"

I shake my head. "No, go ahead." I lean back when Meg takes the note gently from my hands. I watched her. I watched her eyes feel with tears and her cold puffy cheeks blush pink. I watched as she silently said each single word.

"Henley, this is very precious and so heart felt. I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say anything. Let me, let it sink in for a moment." I rolled my head back and held my face for a moment. Trying to collect my thoughts. But then again, what do I need to think about? He let it all out there. He was honest and it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever laid my eyes on. "Right," I said slapping my thighs. "I guess its time I'm finally honest."

"Yes," she said fist pumping the air. I chuckled and scooped up my coat and pocket the note, too. I'D WAITED FOR SO long for something like this to happen. Truth be told, as much as I thought I loved Sara, it never felt like this. Not in a million years would it, either. I guess I'm thankful now that she cheated. Obviously it stings like hell, but if she didn't, I would never have found Aya. And I wouldn't be rushing to his side so I can tell him that I fell in love at first sight. I never thought that was a real thing and when Meg told me she did with Tara, I still refuse to believe it was real. Now...now I know how very fucking real it is.