Page 94An old voice

It was a little difficult to think about Hitori. I'd more or less left him alone for a year. Part of me was afraid he'd moved on beyond me. Waiting a year, without practically any warning, is a very long time. I could completely understand it if he had a new girlfriend now.

I hung my head. "Yeah, but I wanted to be on my own for a while."

Anka smiled and gave me a hug. It was a gentle one that was gone a little earlier than I had hoped.

"So, did you move here to find me?"

I blushed a little. "I didn't realize you lived here. You used the airport to get over to the city, didn't you?"

She nodded. "You could do it by car, but you'd lose so many hours."

I smiled. "I noticed."

"But seriously, couldn't you have called him, or something."

I sighed deeply. "I really wanted to be independent from you all. I never really had to look for my own place, my own money and everything.. I've got most of that sorted now."

Anka smiled. "You have no idea how well I understand that. I mean, I'm still in my parents basement." She winked at me. "Still, I'm glad my parents are on holiday."

I giggled a little. "Yeah, but you're younger than Hitori."

She nodded. "And still studying in town. It's not really a motivation to move out. Anyway, don't you want to give him a call?"

"Hitori? I don't know... wouldn't that be weird and everything?"

She giggled. "He'll pick up at the very least. No matter how late it is, he'll listen to me."

"I'm really not sure... I wouldn't know what to say."

Anka smiled. "Start with: 'Hi, it's me.' and see if he recognizes you."

"I..." Part of me wanted to resist, but a much bigger part of me did long to speak to him again. If only to hear him for a while. I could try, at the very least, to talk to him. Even if he'd forgotten about me, or moved on, it'd still be nicer to know than to randomly dream.

"Okay."

"You'll call him?"

I nodded. "Well, you will call his number."

She smiled. "Hold on, I'll get the phone."

She walked back to the table with the book. The, apparently wireless, house-phone was fairly big but nice. It meant that you could still clench it between shoulder and head. She dialed the number and handed the phone to me. My heart skipped many beats, it felt, while the other side was still ringing.

"Hello?" Hitori's voice.

"Eh... Hi.. It's me." It was stupid, but only Anka's words came to mind.

A pause. It lasted forever.

"Amy?"

I swallowed. "Yes."

"Wow... Wait, isn't this Anka's phone?"

"Yes, I'm standing next to her."

"Never-mind that... H-how are you? I haven't heard from you in months... Or a year even... I think."

"I'm so sorry... I..." What could I say... "I needed to find a way for myself."

It took a moment before Hitori answered. "Yes, and believe me when I say I know very well how that feels. Did Anka ask you to call me?"

I nodded, felt stupid and then answered. "Yes, she did."

Hitori smiled, I could hear it in his voice. "She's too stubborn for her own good at times, but so are you. It's nice to hear you again, Amy. I've missed you."

I almost cried, but in a good way. I blurted it all out at once. "I've missed you to. I didn't want to see you when I woke up over a month ago. I just wanted to go somewhere where no one would know me so I could start on my own and be independent. I hope you're not angry at me."

He grinned. At least that's what I thought I heard. It was a nice grin, one of genuine amusement. "Amy, why do you think I live here? Far away from my sister and parents?"

I should have known. "Have you had anyone... while... I was gone?"

"No. Nuru with me so I didn't really feel lonely. And I knew you'd be back eventually."

That's right. "Where is she?"

He was smiling again. "Guess."

I blinked. "The library?"

"Almost, she got a catalogue job in an old bookstore that got rebuild."

I smiled. "So she can read a lot?"

"All she wants, provided she puts it in the right place and marks it."

"She must love that."

"It does. Amy, will you come back someday?"

I closed my eyes. "I don't know yet. But I feel a lot better now that I've spoken to you."

"Thanks. I feel a lot better as well. Oh, I got lucky with some paintings I made of you from memory. Someone bought them for a lot of money. I kept the few I really wanted, of course."

"That's great. It was nice hearing your voice."

"Same. Will I hear from you again?"

"Yes, but I won't promise when."

He sounded sad, though the words were said cheerful. "I'll be here."

"Bye."

"Bye."

That wasn't easy for her.