Chapter 4 Then
Zoe turned eighteen three weeks ago, and true to my word, I went down to our local recruiting office, and enlisted. Evie, had been avoiding me. She knew how much the army meant to me, and even though she started college, and had her own path ahead of her she was worried about me. I understood her worry, and if I was being honest, I was a bit worried myself. Joining the army was a big deal, it wasn't a typical nine to five job. It was a literal life and death kind of job, and as much as I hated to admit it, there may be a day that I don't get to come home. That's what scared Zoe too, and she and Evie had a united front.
I listened to their concerns, and tried to assure them in every way that I could. Eventually, Zoe gave up. She knew my mind was made up, and she promised to support me. I was meeting Evie later for dinner, and I hoped I could convince her to do the same. I made reservations at a restaurant neither of us could afford, but I wanted our last night together to be a happy memory. I wanted something to hold onto when I left, and I imagine Evie would too.
I planned the whole evening, and since it was my last night in California, I wanted to make it memorable. I dressed, in a suit, and tie, but decided against the tie later, and left it on the kitchen table. I was picking Evie up from her apartment, and when I pulled into the complex my nerves started to get the better of me. This wasn't even a date, this was just dinner with my best friend, but for whatever reason, it felt like more than that.
I knocked on her door, and waited, glancing around the parking lot nervously until she answered. “Wow.” She said, with a blush creeping up on her face. “Should I change?” She asked, smoothing her dress over her hips.
“You look beautiful.” I said, offering her my arm.
She laughed, before accepting it, and allowing me to walk her to my car. I opened her door for her, and shut her securely inside, before I made my way back to the driver's seat.
“Where are we going?” She asked, as I pulled out onto the road.
“Bestia.” I said with a wide grin.
“That trendy Italian restaurant owned by that adorable couple? It's been all over the news recently! But it's sooo expensive. Jake, we can just go somewhere else.” She said, the excitement fading from her voice.
“Reservations have been made for a month Evie, we're going.” I said with a wink. “I know how much you love Italian. This is my treat, alright. My way of saying thank you for being in my corner all these years.”
“Well, when you put it like that.” She said turning to look out the window, in an attempt to hide her growing smile.
I knew she would love the surprise, just like I knew this dinner was going to change things between us. We had been a constant in each other's lives for the past six years, and now I was breaking that up. I was Evie's shoulder, and the more I thought about it, the worse I felt for leaving her.
“Penny for your thoughts?” She asked, sensing my sudden shift in mood.
“Just thinking about how much I'll miss you.” I said, with a sly wink.
“I'll miss you too Jake.” She said, reaching for my hand and grasping it hard.
“Enough of that.” I said, plastering a smile back on my face. “We're here.”
I took her hand in mine, and together we walked into the restaurant. The place was huge, and overly lavish. It definitely wasn't my scene, but it seemed fitting for a send off.
“I still can't believe you brought me here. This place costs a fortune!” She half whispered, as she looked over her menu.
“Order whatever you want.” I replied, shrugging my shoulders.
“Jake. Even the salad is twenty dollars!” She said, with exasperation.
When the waiter stopped in front of our table, I gave him a wide smile. “We'll take two porter house steaks please. I'll take mine medium rare, and she'll have hers well done. Oh, and we'd also like the appetizer sampler tray, the one with the shrimp.”
“Of course sir.” The waiter replied. “And to drink?”
The only downfall of this evening was the fact that Evie and I were only twenty. If I had my way, I would have ordered us a bottle of wine. “We'll take your finest bottle of sparkling water please.” The waiter gave me a half smile, before disappearing with his ticket, and returning with a bottle on ice.
“Sparkling water?” Evie laughed. “You know, we could have just ate dinner at your house, and raided your parents liquor cabinet.”
“We're paying for the ambiance Evie. Where else in the world could we experience real italian dining?” I teased.
“I don't know.. Italy maybe.” She dead panned, causing us both to erupt in laughter.
“I promise to take you one day. To Italy.” I said, when our laughter had died down.
“Do you think we'll still be friends when that day comes?” She asked, sounding a bit somber now.
“I have no doubt in my mind.” I said raising my glass to hers.
“I can't believe we went to the most extravegant Italian restaurant in the state, and we didn't even order Italian!” Evie joked, as I pulled my car into her driveway.
“There's always next time.”
“Thanks for tonight Jake.” She said, when we reached her door. “I'm really going to miss having you around.”
A tear slid from her eye, down her cheek, and I could feel my heart breaking in my chest. Reaching up I brushed it away with my thumb, giving her a small smile. “I promise to write you. And you know, they have this amazing thing called the internet now.” I teased.
“You want to come in for one more drink?” She asked, as she turned away from me to unlock her door.
“Definitely. Sparkling water had all the fizz but none of the burn.”
“You're in luck, I've got a bottle with your name on it.”
I followed Evie into her small one bedroom apartment. She had a couch, and a small dining room table, but little else, and I had never seen her happier. Her childhood was anything but happy, so to see her finally out of the foster homes, and out on her own made me fill with a sense of pride. Evie Perez was going places, and I was a little sad I wouldn't be here to see where.
She returned from the kitchen, with two glasses in her hand. I took a sniff when she handed me mine, and I smiled. “Jack Daniels.” I said, before taking a sip.
“Only the finest for my best friend.” She joked, taking a sip of her own.
After finishing two glasses each, we decided to sit down on the couch. Rather than side by side, we sat facing each other talking about old times, and walking down memory lane. I made her promise to check in on Zoe from time to time, and she made me promise not to die. Of course, my promise to her was easier said than done, and we both knew that. We laughed so hard that our stomachs hurt, the whiskey loosening us up. Before I knew it, it was almost ten o'clock, and I had a flight to catch in the morning.
When I stood, Evie stood with me. The laughter all of a sudden drained from her eyes. The reality that this was goodbye, had finally begun to sink in. Not just for her, but for me as well. Her tears came then, stronger, harder, than the lone tear I'd wiped away on her front stoop. I pulled her into me, in an embrace that was meant to comfort, but instead turned into something more. I felt the shift in that embrace almost as soon as her body melted into mine. And when she pulled away, I couldn't help it. I kissed her, and it was both the dumbest, and the best thing that I had done in my entire life.