Chapter 23

The week of Andrew’s visit finally came. I sat with him at Weddleman’s as we waited for Lori to finish whatever business she had with Ray that day. He had arrived two days before, but this had been my first opportunity to talk with him.

"So how are things between you and Lori?" I asked Andrew.

"All in all," he told me as he lit a cigarette, "Okay."

"Just okay?"

"Yeah, just okay. It’s not like we’re arguing or anything, but I can tell she doesn’t want to talk about certain topics with me." It was not hard to guess that Ray was all of those topics. "It’s like she feels uncomfortable around me. Personally, I’d almost prefer we got it out in the open and argued about it some more. It would make for a lousy week, but at least it wouldn’t silently hang there between us."

"You know Andrew, you’re the only person I know of that can actually argue with the girl."

"I kind of figured. I’m sure I’m the only one telling her not to do this."

"We’re all thinking it," I replied.

"Then say it."

"Easier said than done."

"I know. I’m not sure if it really helps or not, though. Sometimes telling someone not to do something just makes them more stubborn."

"Is that the way things work with Lori?"

"With her, it’s hard to tell. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. She’s a hard girl to read."

"I thought you’d be able to do that by now."

Andrew let out an amused laugh. "I’ve tried Tom, I’ve tried. But the more you try to read what she’s thinking, the more you realize you can’t."

"What was it like dating a woman like that?"

"I don’t recommend it to anybody."

That answer surprised me. "Why?"

"Because it’s like a roller coaster."

"Too many ups and downs?"

"No, no, it’s much cornier than that." He explained, "It’s one of those things where it makes perfect sense to me in my head, but I realize it’s going to sound pretty silly when verbalized."

"Give it a shot anyway."

Andrew shrugged with his eyebrows and went ahead with it. "It’s more like the entire roller coaster experience. You wait around forever for your chance, but you never going to feel like you’re getting any closer. Then, surprisingly enough, you find yourself at the front of the line. After that, you’d better be buckled in and hang on tight, because you’re in for one hell of a ride. It’s exhilarating, it’s addictive and it’s way too short. Then, before you know it, you get kicked out and somebody immediately fills your place."

"Interesting and depressing all at once," I commented.

"Take that for what it’s worth, which is probably nothing."

"It’s more than I’ve got. I’ve never dated a woman like that."

"You’re missing nothing and everything all at the same time. There’s another cornball line for you."

"Still and all, I’d be willing to give it a try."

"I know you would. In fact, I’d much prefer she was seeing you than Ray."

"Do you think you can talk her into it?" I asked jokingly yet hopefully.

"I’d be willing to try if I was going to be here longer than a week. Much to Lori’s dismay, I won’t be."

"She wants you to stay longer?"

"She wants me to stay, period."

"She told you that?"

"Yep. Considering that she knows I’d just bitch at her, I’m surprised she would want me back here. I suppose that’s mostly because I used to be such a part of her life. She’s having trouble letting go."

"You don’t think you’re a part of her life?"

"No. I’m in Berlin. She’s in New York. I guess I’m still a part of her life, but I can’t imagine that will stay that way for very long. We’ll both fade from each other’s memories. I have to say, that’s probably a good thing."

"How do you figure?"

Andrew took on a sardonic smirk. "Because I’m tired of having reminders of better days."

I nodded, understanding his reasons perfectly.

Andrew added wistfully, "It was a pretty damned good ride, though." He took a last puff of his cigarette before putting it out in the ashtray. "Unfortunately, for the last few years, it’s been more of a burden than anything: hanging around the periphery. When she got engaged, I knew it was time to end that story. And at just the right time, Berlin gave me my way out. Convenient, wouldn’t you say?"

I nodded. Then it occurred to me to ask, "So do you still miss her?"

"What do you think?"

"Hey there, Lori," I called as I saw her walking up.

"Hello boys," she responded, "and how is everybody here doing?"

"Doing alright," Andrew informed her.

"So, Andrew," I began, "how is Berlin?"

"You’ve waited this long to ask him that?" Lori asked me.

"I’ve been regaling Andrew with the colossal excitement that is my life," I lied in an ironic tone.

"Well then Andy, tell our friend Tom how you’ve been."

We hung out at the bar until almost midnight as we talked and joked and caught up with each other. It was a good day. Like everything was the way it was supposed to be.