(3)

She returned from her evening run and headed to the kitchen for some water, her mind already anticipating the good soak she was about to get in the bathtub when she heard the phone ring.

Tossing the empty bottle in the trash can,she walked towards the breakfast bar and took a deep breath before lifting the receiver of the ringing phone from the wall and answered.

Hello,she said into the phone.

Hello, Henny greeted a familiar voice.

Papa! She exulted in recognition. Is everything okay she asked aware of the tension reflecting in his voice.

Yes, everything is fine,her father answered unconvincingly.

Can you at least be a little convincing if you are determined to lie to me,she asked him.

Right. I'm sorry her father responded. I'm fine. Can you come home? He asked. We need to talk he continued hesitantly.

Papa,she responded not quite liking the tone of his voice.

Henriette,her father sighed. I know it's not the best time for you...not with everything that you've got going on and all that has happened.

I know you don't approve Henri began cautiously. But this is my life and this is what I want. This is the path that I want to take. I'm not asking you to understand me. I just want you to support me.

Henny, her father responded. That's not ... I'm not talking about that..

I know.. she cut in. I know you are not proud of the choices I have made but I thought we were past that.

We are, her father replied. Honey,I'm so proud of you. I will always be proud of you he continued. I just...

I love him Papa, Henri said by way of explanation. I really do. I just...I love him so much she said willing him to understand.

I know,her father responded. I can see that. It's....

It's what? She cut him off. It's just that you can't understand why, she questioned him.

Don't worry about it her father replied. It's fine. It's not my place to understand.

Papa! Don't do this, Henri began exasperated. I don't want to fight with you right now.

I don't want to fight with you either he replied, sighing. Besides, that's not why I called.

What's up she asked. Is Tessa okay?

She's fine her father hastened to assure her. We are both fine. I just really need your help.

What's wrong Henri asked trying to stay calm.

An old friend of mine her father replied.

His son was in an accident and he's been unconscious for three months now. He's not getting better he continued. I have cause to believe an alternative treatment is his only hope but I need your help to do that.

I'm sorry to hear that she replied the sympathy clear as day in her voice. I would love to help you but you do know that I can't just up and leave right? I have tons of responsibility...

I'm certain Auguste wouldn't mind coming with you her father interrupted.

He runs his own business and he'd go anywhere with you.

I was talking about my job Henri snapped back. My work responsibility not my husband. The company needs me.

You are right her father said in an attempt to make peace. But you already took time off work for your research and I wouldn't ask if it wasn't really necessary. Besides,you are the only one I know who's very invested in alternative medicine and the technology to make it work plus you are best in the field. You are my only hope.

Alright Papa Henri conceded. Let me think about it. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Thank you Cherie her father responded in gratitude. That's all I ask.

Bye Papa she said sadly. I'll talk to you soon. I love you.

Bye baby her father replied. I love you too.

As soon as she hung up, she sighed loudly and contemplated ordering dinner or actually making use of the kitchen and making a simple home made meal when she heard the front door open and close.

Honey? She heard Auguste call out.

In the kitchen she replied. When he came in,she attempted a small smile and greeted him.

Hi, how was your day she asked him ignoring the questioning look he gave her.

It was really long he teased winking at her. I missed you he said sincerely.

Looking at her feet, Henri replied him in a neutral tone. You don't have to say that she said finally glancing up at him.

It's just us here.

Henri... Auguste sighed loudly. Just because we are "divorced" doesn't mean I can't miss you.

Why do you say it like that she asked sadly.

Like what he asked in an even tone.

You keep what I mean Henri snapped at him. Scrunching your nose and using air quotes like it's a foreign concept.

Maybe it is he replied bluntly.

Gussie...she sighed.

Henya he replied matching her tone.

What's gotten into you she asked clearly getting worked up.

I don't know Auguste responded. Maybe I'm just upset he said blandly.

About what she asked exasperatedly.

Gee...I don't know Henriette he responded coldly.

Are you mad at me about something she asked in a small voice.

I'm not mad he answered softly. I could never stay mad at you anyway.

Then what? She asked clearly not understanding the problem.

Look Auguste replied calmly. I had a long day but it was a good one and I was so excited and really happy until I saw the look on your face.

What look? She asked looking as lost as she felt.

You know he replied still calm but the exhaustion was written all over his face.

The "don't forget we are divorced" face he responded.

There you go again with the air quotes she chided. Why do you do that she asked.

Maybe it's because I still don't understand why you wanted a divorce he replied quietly.

Why did you sign the papers then she asked just as quietly.

I went along with it because of you he replied as if it was obvious. Because it was what you wanted. Because I have never been able to deny you anything you asked of me.

Gus...Henri sighed.

Fine he said. I won't talk about it anymore. We are still living together, so I forget sometimes but I'll try not to miss you.

Baby! Henri chided. It's okay to miss me. I missed you too. I'm sorry.

It's fine he replied gently. Are you okay he asked seeing the tension in her posture.

Not really she replied honestly.

What happened he asked concern for her written all over his face. Are you hurt?

I'm fine she hastened to assure him. Dad called she replied.

Is everything okay he questioned again. Did something happen to Tessa?

No she responded. She's fine. They are both fine. He wants me to come home. He needs my help with a patient of his. I told him I'd think about it.

There's nothing to think about he replied. Your Dad needs your help. He wouldn't ask if it wasn't important.

I know she responded. I know it's shameless of me to do this but I was wondering...

Of course I'll come with you he replied. I'd do anything for you. You know that right?

Yes I do she answered with a smile.

So,call him back he said. I'll call the pilot and then go get packed.

Thank you she replied genuinely. I love you Gussie.

I love you too he responded without hesitation.

By the time she ended the call to her father, Auguste had placed a call to the pilot and another to the cab company.

Then they both packed their bags and headed upstairs to their respective bedrooms for a quick shower and a change of clothes.

When Auguste came downstairs with their bags,he discovered that Henri had already ordered dinner. By the time they were out of the house,a cab was waiting to take them to the airport where their pilot was waiting.

Soon they were seated on the plane heading to Los Angeles, California...