Falling Out In Love: Chapter 2

Present Day

Erica put down the sweater she grabbed as a diversion when she ran into the store. She figured enough time had passed and was ready to make her way home. Before stepping out of the store, she wiped a single tear in the corner of her eye away before it had a chance to fall. She would not let the pain take over again.

She opened the store’s door and began the two blocks towards her car. Thankfully it was in the opposite direction of where she saw Karen. Two blocks down, Erica looked over her shoulder one last time, turned the corner and literally ran right into Karen. Both of their shopping bags fell to the ground and none of the other shoppers seemed to notice as they just walked by.

Erica had no words, she just stared as Karen began picking up her bags. The silence was awkward as expected. Karen was the first to cut into the silence with sharp words.

“Are you going to just stand there or are you going to help me pick up the bags you just dropped?” Karen huffed.

Unconsciously and almost out of habit, Erica jumped into action, “Oh of course, I’m so sorry babe.”

Erica silently cursed herself for saying babe and not something more withdrawn and cordial. Karen looked up for the first time to make eye contact with the familiar voice and her jaw nearly hit the floor. She had not even realized who she bumped into because when the collision occurred she was looking in her purse for gum.

“Erica….I didn’t…no I’m sorry…I wasn’t looking,” Karen rambled.

Erica knew now that Karen just noticed who she was. She replied, “No, it was my fault. I was looking the other way. My bad Shorty.” Erica knew Karen hated those words. It was so impersonal to her. It was Erica’s way of revoking the “babe” comment, making her feel a little more in control.

“I can’t believe I ran into you,” Karen continued. “Especially, shopping on Melrose, I use to have to beg you to go shopping with me.” She chuckled lightly.

“I know,” Erica responded, “I had a pretty rough week, so I figured I would spend some of my hard earned money.”

There was an awkward silence. Erica found herself fighting the inner urge to grab and hug her so tightly. Instead, she kept her distance.

Karen could hear the last words she said to Erica as she slept; she had no idea what to really say. She’d been gone for years now and never contacted her. Maybe now wasn’t even the right time to mention it. She searched her brain for something to say…anything.  Finally, “Well, how have you been?”

What the fuck, Erica thought. How have I been? You left me on a beach after I proposed to you and I haven’t seen you since. Erica did not want to go into this answer or hear hers. She quickly answered, “Fine,” and then changed the subject, “Are all these bags really yours?”

They both laughed lightly, as Karen did have about 13 bags in her hand. Probably another reason they all fell in the first place.

“I know right. I’m not far from home though. Just a few more blocks.” Karen said, still staring at her bags in disbelief.

Erica couldn’t even begin to form the questions she was cursing in her head. You mean you still live in California? Did you ever leave? Where the hell have you been Karen! And suddenly her tone changed. Her bags look so heavy. What if she bumps into the wrong person next time? Is it really a few more blocks or more? I should help her.

“Why don’t you let me help you.” Erica finally said softly.

Almost as if Karen was hoping for the suggestion, she blurted, “I’d really like that”.

My name is Dani, I’m a 24 year old writer and photographer from Miami, Florida. I currently reside in southern California where I plan to make moves affecting the world around me in a positive way as much as I can. Through as many ways as I can. Please read my blog, The Emancipation of Dani’s Alex for a deeper view into my world.