As Seasons Change

When I finally arrived at Lighthouse Pub around ten minutes before the set time, Aaron was already there, chatting with the bartender, Alan. He already had a beer in his hand and was drinking generously in gulps as I walked over. He looked the same as he did back in college with the same red-black plaid shirt and blue jeans. Although Aaron had a few more wrinkles in the corners of his eyes, age had barely affected him. When he finally noticed me, I was taking off my coat which was drenched from the rain.

"Julian," Aaron called out with a grin that made me want to punch him in the face. Other people might mistake his demeanor as being drunk but if he was still the same Aaron that I knew, he was just being his usual cocky self.

"It's been awhile since I last saw you. How long has it been? I forget. Nine years, right?" Aaron said, laughingly. A bitterness that didn't exist before, surfaced in his tone.

"You do the math," I replied stiffly as I sat down on the bar-stool next to him.

"You were always the smart one, Jules."

"Don't call me that. We barely know each other now." My words came out sounding harsher than I had intended but Aaron didn't flinch and instead, he continued his fake, playful atmosphere.

"Aren't you going to get anything?" He asked, changing the subject as he was about to wave for Alan, who was serving other customers on the far end of the bar.

"No, don't. I'm not drinking. The last thing I want is for this to continue any longer," I said as I stopped him from waving his arm up.

"Oh c'mon Julian. We haven't seen each other in nearly a decade and you won't even have one drink with me?"

Throughout our conversation, I had been staring at the wine bottles on the shelves and at the scratches on the wooden counter-top. I knew I was trying to avoid looking at him. However, when I heard him ask this question, a small flame of hatred I didn't know still existed in me, flared up and I turned to stare him directly in the eyes.

"Why exactly are you here in Port Renfrew, Aaron? You're a renowned author and writer from the great city. What is a guy like you doing in a rainy town on the west coast? When your sister told me you wanted to meet with me, I was going to turn you down. But curiosity got to me. I only came because I genuinely wanted to know what you even have to say to me after all these years. You wasted enough of my time when we were in college so I'm not going to stay and let you waste more if all you're going to do is pretend like nothing happened."

The lightheartedness in Aaron's expression faded completely. His usual crescent moon eyes were no longer upturned and I could now see the vibrant brown in his pupils. The corners of his lips fell and slowly became a hard-pressed line. I found it so fascinating how I knew his face so well and yet, I felt like a stranger was sitting in front of me.

"Julian, I'm sorry," Aaron said softly but in a resolute and serious tone.

I wasn't even slightly impressed with his apology and I had no intention of accepting a half-assed and half-drunk confession.

"If that's all you had to say then goodbye, Aaron."

I stood up but Aaron tight grabbed my wrist. I didn't resist because I knew he wasn't going to let go and doing so, would only hurt myself in the process.

"Let go," I said curtly, with both anger and impatience lacing my words.

"Julian, listen to what I have to say first, please," Aaron begged, a desperation in his voice that I had heard only once before. It was when his mom had died in the hospital ward and he had begged for her not to leave him.

My heart wavered for just a moment when I remembered this but he took this chance to stand up as well and hold both my wrists. His eyes gazed into mine earnestly, pleading for an opportunity. His figure was towering over my short stature and I could only see red flags going off in my brain.

I was about to knee Aaron in the crotch when Alan suddenly rushed over towards us from behind the counter. He had seemed to notice something was going on and was alarmed.

"Jules, is this guy bothering you?" He asked, ready to offer his help if the situation were to turn ugly.

Aaron seemed to finally realize what was doing and instantly let go of my wrists.

"I'm so sorry, I-"

"Alan, can I use the back room for a few minutes? It won't be long," I cut Aaron off and asked Alan directly.

Alan nodded and passed me his ring of keys.

I glanced towards Aaron, "Fine, I'll hear you out but this is your last chance."