Whisper

61

"Go see her Daddy."

She gave me one last push.

"I will go inside and feed Spirit and Ghost."

.

'Thanks, sweetie.'

.

She winked at me and disappeared.

"Have fun."

.

I kept walking toward the gazebo. Evangeline never turned. I wasn't even sure if she heard me.

I stood across from her and lit a cigarette.

.

"What am I doing here?"

She turned to me and looked at me briefly, quickly turning away, again.

.

I didn't know what to say. I just puffed my cigarette and listened.

.

She reached to me and took the cigarette from my hand. She drew heavily and looked at me, as I lit another cigarette.

"Why am I here, Will?"

.

I shrugged, but was afraid to say anything, other than, "I don't know."

.

"I am supposed to be in Grand Falls," she continued.

"I have a photo shoot for the city, for their new city brochure.

But something just drew me here."

She drew heavily on the cigarette, blowing out quickly.

"Again."

.

I decided to just stand there and listen to her. Partly because I didn't want to scare her away, but mostly because I honestly had no idea what I was supposed to say.

I just like having her this close.

.

"I don't want a relationship," she stated, firmly.

"I am finally doing something for me. I am finally independent and I finally feel like I don't need anyone. I worked so hard to be at this point. I really enjoyed my travels through Europe.

I met so many people. Saw so many things. Experienced so much.

I just want to continue to feel just that. Over and over."

She finally turned and looked at me. I could see she had been crying.

"Yet, here I am. Not in Europe and not in Grand Falls.

Nope. Here I am, in your back yard."

.

"I am happy to see you," I said, honestly.

.

She smiled.

.

I took a deep breath.

"I don't know why you are here, Eva, but I am so happy that you are.

I would be lying if I said differently."

.

She continued to stare at me. I must have turned fifteen shades of red.

"I don't want a relationship right now," she said, firmly.