Julian: You will never guess what they made me eat today… kangaroo. Why on earth would you serve an animal that is part of your national emblem?
I laugh at his text and click on the call button. The odd dial tone, one that has become quite familiar, rings, and within moments, he picks up.
“Hey, you,” he greets me warmly.
“Did you have it with ketchup or a side of koala?” I joke.
“No, they serve it with vegetables, but let me tell you, I’ll kindly refuse next time.” He pauses for a moment. “How did everything go with Andy today?”
Julian and I chat almost every day, sometimes even twice a day. Since the moment he left, there hasn’t been a single day that I haven’t spoken to or texted him. I’m still waiting for a call from my network provider questioning all the unusual activity on my cell.
He knows how nervous I am about today after my mini-breakdown last night. We had spoken for two hours about the whole thing, and by the end, he calmed me down enough so I could catch a few hours of sleep.
“It sucked, but it’s over with. Till next year.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Not having a dad, I know what it feels like. Chin up, okay? Perhaps a plate of kangaroo to cheer you up tonight?” He laughs.
“Gross. I’ll politely pass. I better go, I’m at lunch. Text me tonight?”
“I’ll be in a writers’ conference today but will do when I’m back in.” There’s that pause again, and in this moment, my heart stills as I wait to hear something, words which send the butterflies into a chaotic blissful frenzy.
“And Adriana…”
The butterflies rev up their engines as my name rolls off his tongue. God, how can just saying my name affects me in a way that’s so indescribable?
“Yes,” my voice cracks in anticipation.
My ear is glued to the earpiece as I close my eyes briefly and focus on his breathing. It’s uneven and quick. My throat dries up as I wait desperately for his feelings to connect to his voice.
“I miss you,” he adds softly.
I smile, my body relaxing immediately. “I miss you, too.”
We hang up, and I reluctantly walk back into the restaurant with no doubt the biggest smile on my face which seems impossible to hide. Charlie and Eric are in a heated argument but stop as soon as I sit down. Charlie is watching me, waiting for me to say something, but to annoy the fuck out of her, I sit and remain quiet. Very un-Adriana like.
“Everything okay?” she asks curiously.
“Yeah, peachy keen, jelly bean,” I respond with a grin.
Ava’s wail distracts Charlie. She tells us she is going to change Ava in the restroom and is quick to leave me alone with Eric. Eric is biting his tongue waiting for Charlie to be a good distance away from us.
“Adriana, look at you,” he teases with delight.
“What? Spinach in my teeth?”
He laughs. “No, sweetie, you’re happy.”
“Eric, not now, please. We talked about this.”
“I know. Nothing to be said to Charlie or Lex. Or Kate. Or Nikki and Rocky. Or anyone! You can’t hide this forever, though.”
Well, duh.
“Eric, I’ll be quick before Charlie comes back. I’ve been thinking long and hard about something…”
He waits in anticipation, rubbing his hands together.
“I want to go to Sydney.”