It had been a few days since Dani had left, and AJ's house was a wreck.  He sat on his couch and surveyed his living room, shaking his head at the mess that was strewn across his floor, contemplating cleaning it up.  Just then, the phone rang, saving him from his molly maid duties.

     “Hello?”

     “Hey dude, what’s up?” AJ smiled as his friend Rick’s voice came flowing across the line.

     “Not much man, you?”

     “Ah, nothin’ much,” he said.

     “So listen man, I’ll probably be getting into New York late Sunday night or early Monday morning, is that gonna be a problem?”

     “No, not at all.  If I’m not here, I’ll leave a key for you under the mat or something.”  AJ smiled.

     “I appreciate it!”

     “Lookin’ forward to seein’ ya man.  How long has it been anyway?”  AJ laughed.

     “Too damn long.  So, yeah, I’ll be in next week then,” he said.

     “Great, I got a week to clean this shithole up then!” Rick said.

     “Naw dude, don’t go outta your way for me.  Anyway, I’m gonna get back to packing.  Talk to you later man,” he said.

     “Yeah, see you in a week,” Rick said.

    "See ya in a week,” AJ said as he hung up the phone.  He sat down on his couch and lit a cigarette.   AJ surveyed his living room and shook his head.

     “Yeah, got a lot to do,” he mumbled as he took another drag.  He stretched his body out on his couch and smoked his cigarette.  He knew what he had to do, but he just didn’t want to do it.  He pondered just picking up the phone and calling Chrissy.  AJ also thought about just going over to her apartment and just telling her everything now.

     “New York,” he mumbled.  He took another drag off his cigarette and thought about the last few months.  They had been amazing, most of them anyway.  He smiled as he thought about Chrissy and their only “official” date.  AJ thought of her and her green eyes and how they sparkled in the morning right after she had woken up, and the smile that would spread across her face as her eyes met his.  He smiled at the countless hours of trashy television they watched and how they both got so into it that they would yell at the television.  AJ took another drag off his cigarette.  He leaned back into the couch and thought of Chrissy’s curly red hair and how much he liked the feel of it.  It was silky and he always loved wrapping his fingers up in her mass of curls.  AJ thought of their countless conversations, and how in tune he always felt with her.  He always thought he could tell Chrissy anything.  She never seemed to judge him.  She just always listened.  AJ sat on his couch and just thought about Chrissy.  He really was in love with her, and leaving her was not something he was prepared to do.  Suddenly, a flash of Chrissy and Josh all tangled up in the bed together came to AJ.  He closed his eyes tightly and shook the image out of his head.  He stubbed out his cigarette and got up off the couch.

     “Gotta tell her soon,” he muttered as he began packing up his cd’s into a moving box.
 
 

    “Order up Chrissy,” bellowed the cook from behind the counter.  She made her way up to the counter and grabbed her food.  The diner wasn’t very busy, but she was forcing herself to keep occupied because Josh was working.  Chrissy was making sure to  take extra-special care of her customers and avoid Josh at all costs.  She knew they really couldn’t avoid talking to each other forever, but she was not about to make the first move.  Finally, when she thought Josh was doing something else, she plopped down in her regular stool and rested her head in her hands.  Chrissy was lost in her thoughts when she felt the pop of a towel on her back.  She shot up quickly.

     “What the fuck?” she said.  Josh let out a small laugh and walked behind the counter.

     “Scare ya?” he asked.

     “Why don’t you find someone else to bother?”

     “I like bothering you,” Josh said with a grin.  Chrissy glared at him and sat back down on the stool.

     “Well, I don’t like that you’re bothering me.  Go find someone else to annoy,” she said.  Josh was shocked that she would say that, but didn’t say anything.  He wheeled his cart over to an empty table and began cleaning it off.  Chrissy began to look at the clock and knew she only had about an hour left of her shift.

     “Avoid him Chrissy,” she muttered to herself.  She sat there drumming her fingers on the counter when another order was up.  Josh was about to come back over to her when she jumped up off the stool and practically ran to her food.  She kept herself busy for the rest of the night.
 

         Chrissy sat on her couch flipping aimlessly through the channels on the television.  There was an old “I Love Lucy” re-run on, or she could watch “Dogma” on HBO.  She chose the movie.  At least Ben Affleck and Matt Damon could keep her mind off of other things.  Chrissy was fairly into the movie when her doorbell rang.  It was eleven o’clock, and she wasn’t expecting anyone.  She got up off the couch and walked over to the door, peering through the peephole.  Her heart leapt into her throat when she saw who it was.

     “Just a sec,” she said.  Her heart was racing and she knew she looked terrible.  She hastily put her hair up in a messy bun and straightened her shirt out a little.  She opened the door.

     “Hey,” she said with a hint of surprise in her voice.  AJ nodded.

     “Hey.”

     “Whatcha doin’ here?”

     “I actually wanted to talk to you about something.  Can I come in?” AJ asked.  Chrissy was shocked but let him in.  He walked in and sat down on the couch.  Chrissy turned off the movie and plopped herself down on the opposite end and they sat in silence.  AJ fidgeted with his jacket zipper and Chrissy drummed her fingers on the couch.  She looked at him and finally decided to break the quiet.

     “So, what didja need to talk to me about?”  AJ’s head shot up and he looked at Chrissy.  At that moment, she took his breath away.  He looked at her for another second and tried to gather his thoughts.

     “I, uhh, wanted to tell you that I was, uhh…how do I put this?”  AJ ran a nervous hand though his hair.  His heart was racing and he was beginning to sweat a little.  Chrissy chuckled a little.

     “Just say it,” she said.  Her heart began to pound.  Whatever it was, if he was this nervous, she knew it wasn’t good news.  AJ coughed and looked at Chrissy again.

     “Okay, well, the thing is,” he said.  He bit the inside of his cheek and looked down at his shoes.

     “Alex?”

     “Yeah, okay.  So, yeah, I’m uhhh…I’m moving to New York,” AJ blurted.  Chrissy furrowed her brow.

     “You’re what?” she said calmly.

     “I’m moving to New York,” he said.  Chrissy nodded her head and stared at AJ.

     “When?”

     “On Friday.”  That was two days away.  Chrissy swallowed hard and nodded again.

     “Wow.  Umm, what for?”  AJ sat back in the couch and took a deep breath.

     “Well, for a few reasons I guess,” His voice was quiet and even a little shaky.  “I guess because there are more acting opportunities up there than there are here.  And, my buddy Rick is up there and he said I could stay with him for a while,” he shrugged.  Chrissy gave a half-smile and nodded her head again.

     “Yeah, I bet there are a ton of acting things up there, huh?”  AJ nodded his head yes.

     “So Rick said I could crash at his place for a while and I’m gonna go out and do some auditioning.  I need to get back into the swing of things, I guess.”  He looked at Chrissy and then quickly looked back down at his thumbs.  He began to pick at them.

     “Well, that’s great Alex,” she said.  AJ looked at her and smiled.

     “Thanks.”

     “I bet you’ll do really great up there,” she said.  Chrissy was fighting the urge to cry so she just kept smiling.  “So, wow, you leave Friday?”  AJ nodded his head.

     “Yeah, I’m practically packed and everything.  I just thought I’d tell you, ya know, cuz…” he shrugged.  She smiled and looked away.  Chrissy began blinking rapidly but couldn’t avoid the tears that began to stream down her face.

     “Well, I hope it works out for you,” she said as she kept her head turned away from him.

     “Thanks,” AJ said in a hoarse voice.  They both sat silently as Chrissy’s tears fell down her face and AJ just started off into space.  After about five minutes, AJ began to move on the couch and finally stood up.

     “Well, I think I’m gonna go,” he said.  Chrissy couldn’t look at him.

     “Okay,” she said.  AJ wanted her to look at him so badly.  He wanted her to tell him not to go and to beg him to stay the night with her, even if it was only that night.  But, he knew it couldn’t happen, and that Chrissy wouldn’t do it.  He shook his head and understood why she wouldn’t turn around.

     “Well, maybe I’ll give you a call when I get to New York.  Tell ya when I make my big break!”  Chrissy gave a slight chuckle.

     “You do that,” she said.  They both were quiet.  Finally, AJ coughed.

     “I’m just gonna let myself out, okay?” he said as he walked towards the door.  “Take care of yourself Chris,” he said.  Chrissy just sat on the couch and waited for him to leave.  “Bye Chrissy,” AJ whispered.  He walked out the door and stood there for a second in the hallway.  He closed his eyes and sighed deeply.  “Goodbye Chrissy,” he whispered.  With that, he walked down the hall and to his car.
 

         Chrissy sat on her stool looking out the window, the diner was quiet and she was there until five.  Today was the day AJ was leaving, if he hadn't left already, and he was all she could tink about, all she could concentrate on.  She drummed her fingers on the counter and felt the rush of air around her when someone opened the door.  Chrissy looked up and met AJ’s stare.  Her heart was caught in her throat, but she managed a smile and a knowing nod.  AJ smiled at her and walked back to his regular booth.  Chrissy quickly followed, giving a glance to see if anyone was watching her.  They both sat down in the booth and stared at each other.  AJ smiled at Chrissy, she returned the smile.

     “So,” she said.  “Everything ready to go?”

     “Yeah, I guess so,” he shrugged.  They both sat quietly for a moment.

     “So, how long is the ride?” she asked.  AJ just shrugged his shoulders.  “Seems like a long-ass one.”  AJ chuckled and nodded.  “I thought about making you a tape, or something…for the time, but well, I didn’t…”

     “Thanks for the thought,” AJ said.  Chrissy looked out the window and saw AJ’s Expedition.  Her heart fell and she could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.  She shut them tightly and then looked down at her hands on the table.  AJ pulled out a pack of cigarettes and naturally began to smoke one.  No one said a word for a few moments.  AJ finished his cigarette and stubbed it out and coughed.

     “Well, I guess I’d better go.  I wanna be able to stop a little after dark and get a good sleep,” he said as he began getting out of the booth.  Chrissy could feel herself start to crumble but she closed her eyes and just got up out of the booth.

     “You be safe, okay?”  AJ nodded his head.

     “I’ll give you a call to let you know I got there,” he said.  Chrissy smiled and mouthed “Okay”.  He began to walk outside and Chrissy followed.  They got outside and walked over to AJ’s car.  AJ lit another cigarette.

     “New York’s not so great, ya know?”

     “Yeah well, compared to Orlando, I think I’ll give New York a shot,” AJ said with a laugh.  Chrissy laughed too.  “Take care of yourself, okay?”  Chrissy smiled at stared at AJ for a second.

     “Don’t worry about me,” she said.

     “I won’t worry, but you just better take care of yourself.”  They both smiled at each other.

     “Listen, it probably won’t be easy, ya know, in New York, but I’m here if you need to talk,” she said.  AJ looked at the parking lot and shook his head.

     “I know,” he whispered.  He coughed and stood up straight and pulled his keys out of his pocket.  “Well, I gotta go,” he said as he began unlocking his door.  Chrissy stood up straight and smiled.

     “Yeah, you better,” she said.  An awkward silence filled the distance between them.  Suddenly, AJ grabbed her.

     “C’mere,” he said as he wrapped his arms around Chrissy’s neck and pulled her in for a hug.  “I think this is gonna be good, ya know,” he said.  Chrissy let out a muffled “Yup” in return and held tightly onto AJ.

     “Do good,” she whispered.

     “You too,” he said.

     “I love you,” she quietly sobbed.  They both pulled out of the hug.  AJ stared at Chrissy’s watery green eyes and gently put some of her curly hair behind her ears.  He smiled.

     “I gotta go,” he whispered as he opened the door to his Expedition.

     “Yeah,” she said.  AJ climbed up to his seat and sat down, putting on his seat belt.  “Gimme a call sometime.  I’d love to hear from you,” she said.  AJ nodded and pulled his door shut.  He started the engine and rolled down the window.

     “Maybe I’ll call you tonight to let you know I got in to my room or something,” he said with a shrug.  Chrissy smiled and nodded.

     “Yeah, you should do that,” she said.  AJ turned on the radio and let it flow out the window.  He smiled and waved.

     “Well, gotta go,” he said as he lit another cigarette.  Chrissy nodded. He began to pull out of the parking space and waved one last time to Chrissy.  She waved back and began to walk back into the diner.  Tears streamed down her face as she looked the other way, but she quickly wiped them away and turned back around to see AJ’s car leaving the parking lot.

     “I love you,” she whispered.  Those three words echoed in her mind as she watched him wait for his chance to leave the parking lot.
 

 AJ sat in his car and watched Chrissy through his rearview mirror.  He smiled at her image and pulled out of the parking lot.  He turned up the radio and smiled.  The road was open and long.  AJ knew he’d get there someday.

Lyrics Taken From:
"Disagree" Pushing Daisies
Written by: Pushing Daisies
© 1999 Catch 23 music