Chapter 7 “It’s Angela… Don’t hang up on me!” “Angie, don’t do this.” “AJ, talk to me.  I’ve been so… so…” “Depressed?” “Yeah!  Please, I need to see you.” “Angie…” “With everything we have been through, you at least owe me one more time to close… whatever is going on.” Angela heard silence on the other end.  “Alexander James.” “10 minutes, just 10 minutes.” “I’ll be here.”  Angela hung up the phone before he could protest any longer. ~*~ AJ hung up the phone and sighed.  He did miss her—the tornado that ran through his house said enough.  He knew that letting her go was the best thing for everyone because he didn’t want to hurt anyone else.  He grabbed his keys and headed out the door.  “This is the final goodbye.” ~*~ Angela heard the doorbell ring.  “It’s open!” AJ walked inside to see Angela on the couch.  “Hey.” “Hey.  Sorry I couldn’t meet you at the door, but…” “You got your casts off.” “This morning, but I can’t use them until I have therapy.”  She patted the couch.  “Have a seat.” AJ took a seat in one of the chairs facing her.  “So, you wanted to talk?” “Yes, OK, I’m just gonna blurt it out.  Do you still feel the same way as you did the night of the accident?” “Angela, I told you, this is for the best.” “That’s not what I asked.” AJ turned away from her gaze.  “You want me to recall the evening in question?” “Angie… don’t bring the past up.” “If you won’t answer my question, then let me refresh your memory: you told me you loved me.  You said that I was the one you wanted to be with.  You said you had to get it out because it was eating you up inside.  You said that you hated the fact Joey was trying to change me and to stop letting my true self be hidden.  Am I clear so far?” AJ just stared at her. “Then let me continue.  Joey and I were having problems.  We were arguing non-stop.  He was telling me how I should act, dress, making me the perfect girlfriend of a superstar: a face without an opinion.  You didn’t want that to happen anymore, so you told me how you felt.  Within a second I knew you were right.  I didn’t want to be a face without an opinion anymore and told you so. You said that I should try to smooth things over with Joey, because you said you might hurt me in the long run and didn’t want to ruin our friendship, I disagreed, and left.  I was so torn that I lost control of the car and the next thing I know I’m in the hospital.  So, did I get everything correct?” “You did.” “Do you know what I was going to do when I got home?” “Uh…” “I was going to break up with Joey.  I was going to pack up my things and leave, realizing what I have been feeling all along.” “And that is?” “That I was in love with you.” AJ shot his head up.  “I wanted to start a life with you.  Don’t you get it?  You never asked me to change.  You always let me be myself.  I can have an opinion; I can be free, bitch and moan to whomever I wanted to.  Your carefree attitude about life is what made me love you.” Angela wiped the tears from her eyes.  “I never blamed you for my accident.  I blame the rain, the speed bump, and my stupid ass for not paying attention. So you have to stop blaming yourself, because you only told what was in your heart.” AJ was crying by this point, something that he never did.  Angela grabbed one of her crutches and hobbled over to him.   She carefully knelt down to him and put her hand on his cheek.  “OK?” AJ looked up at her.  He saw the tears in her eyes, her gentle gaze that she rarely gave to him.  She never opened up like this, even to him.  “I know I shouldn’t blame myself but how could I?  You left my house completely upset.  You didn’t know what you were feeling so you were in no condition to drive.  How can I not feel responsible for what happened?” “Because you aren’t me.”  Angela noticed his pack of cigarettes in his hand.  “Mind if I bum one?” AJ saw the pleading look on Angela’s face and laughed.  “Thought you quit.” “That’s what everyone is supposed to think… I’ve had nicotine fits for six weeks.  I actually tried to bribe a nurse a hundred dollars if she can buy me a pack and sneak me into a closet.” AJ handed his pack over to Angela and she took one out.  She hobbled over to the couch and looked at AJ.  He sat next to her and lit her cigarette.  She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as she exhaled the puff of smoke.  “Ah, now that’s more like it.” “Did anyone tell you you’re the queen of changing the subject?” “Not really,” she took another puff of her cigarette.  “I never got your answer.” AJ took a deep breath.  “When you were waking up and Joey ran to your side, stroking your face and welcoming you back, I wanted to push him away and do it myself.  Every time I came to the hospital, and saw Joey all tired and worried, I would have given anything to be in his state of mind.  So, to answer your question… yes, I still love you.  I always have and always will.” Angela gave the first real smile in 6 weeks.  “I love you too.”  AJ smiled back at her.  “So… what now?” Angela took a deep breath.  “I need to tell Joey.” “He’s gonna be crushed,” AJ looked down. “And that’s none of your concern.  Let me be the bad guy in this… not you.  I’ll tell him tonight.”  She took a puff of her cigarette and blew it out nervously.  “Can you do one thing for me?” “That is?” “Help me pack my things?  I can’t really do it with half a body.” AJ kissed her forehead.  “And what a body it is.” Chapter 8 Contents Chapter 6