I stare dumbfounded at the refrigerator door.  Shock maybe an appropriate word.

“Spencer, you’re up!”  Ashley’s mom came into the kitchen carrying a bag of groceries.  I turn quickly away from the refrigerator, like I have just been caught cheating red-handed.  “If you want something to eat you can just help yourself you know.”  I guess she has misinterpreted my love affair with the appliance as a search for food I was contemplating.

“No, I uh, was just getting ready to leave.” 

“You’re welcome to stay, Spencer.  Ashley wanted me to tell you she has some things to do before the show tonight, but she would like to meet you at four at Miceli’s.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, she said she didn’t want to wake you.  You didn’t think she would just leave did you?”  She is obviously unaware of the situation and does not mean to take a dig at me, but it hurt nonetheless. 

“No.  I know she would never do that.  I was just a little worried.”

“I am really glad to see you guys trying to work things out.  And for the record; she was never happier than when you two were together.  When she moved to New York to be with you, I finally understood how much you meant to her.  I realized that she did not need me anymore and I would have to change if I wanted to keep her in my life.”  If she had confessed that to Ashley, she had never told me.  I walked over and hugged her warmly.  I never appreciated the impact that Ashley’s leaving had on the people she left behind.

“How long are you in town for darling?”

“For as long as it takes.”  She understands.  She kisses my cheek and tells me that we should get together while we are all here and then leaves the room.  I stand there smirking at everything I have encountered over the past few days.  It amuses me how predictable my life actually is without Ashley and how just the sight of her has in such a short time, turned my world upside down. From the moment I met her, I have been sent into a tailspin that I never really want to gain control of.