Chapter 6: Uncertainty

My eyes peel open, letting the oppressive light from the window in.
I don’t remember spending the night at Enya’s house. I sit up, my head feels like it’s full of lead.

Sitting on the edge of the bed I try to remember last night. I remember sitting at the table, I remember watching people dancing…
I look at my phone to check the time, using my other hand to try and rub away the headache. Instead of my home screen, my dialer is open…and Hugh’s number is typed in.

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit
I quickly check the call history…yep, I called him. Oh shit.

What do I do? Call him back? Wait for him to call? I have to know what I said.

Enya! She will know. I fly off the bed and throw open the door, nearly knocking her over as I rush out of the room.

“Woah! What the hell? I was just coming to see if you were awake! Why are you..”

“Enya” I interrupt, panicked. “I called Hugh last night a-a-and I don’t remember. What did I say, did you hear? Did I talk to him? Did I leave a voicemail?”

Her shock turned to amusement as a big smile spread across her face. “Oooooh my God you drunk dialed Hugh!” She laughed.

“It’s not funny! What could I possibly have had to say to him?”

“I can think of a couple things.” She put her hand up to her ear and spoke in a mocking seductive voice. ‘Hi Hugh, it’s Nessie. I just wanted to tell you how sexy you are..'”

“You are NOT helping.” I squeezed my head with my hands. “What am I gonna do??”

“Just wait for him to call you. That’s what I would do. Whether you talked with him or left a voicemail I’m sure he will follow up with you.”, she answered nonchalantly.

As if on cue the phone rang. We both stood frozen for a second. I reluctantly check the caller ID. It’s him. I look at Enya in shock as I turn the phone so she could see who it is.

She didn’t even miss a beat and stuck her finger out, pressing the button to answer.

I cry out “What the HELL!” Then quickly turn the phone to my ear while shooting her a death stare. “Hello?” I answer, my voice strained.

“Hey” I can tell he is smiling.

I had to get straight to the point, it’s eating me up. “Uh, about the call…last night. Wh-what did I say? I don’t really remember..”

“You don’t remember?”He asked, clearly amused.

“No..”, I felt dread creeping into my mind. God, what did I say?!

“Well, that is a shame. We had a really nice chat.” he replied cordially.

“Oh no…”

“Oh yes, we talked about all kinds of things. Tell me again what it was like making out with Kearney?”

“WHAT?!” I screamed with such a high pitch I hurt my own ears. Enya winced and gave me an inquiring look. I’m gonna be sick.

Hugh was laughing hysterically.

“Nessie, I’m just kidding” He said, still cracking up.

Relief washed through me, “Oh my God…” I should have known it was a trick. He would never bring up something like that so lightly. Enya would have certainly said something too. I felt my cheeks burning with embarrassment that I was so gullible.

Hugh continued, “You left me some barely intelligible voicemail about how you wanted to dance or something. You mentioned Kearney was there, and I know how much you looove him.”

“You- You are such a jerk Hugh!” How could he do that to me? “You almost gave me a heart attack!”

“Oh c’mon you set yourself up. If you are going to be drunk dialing people, you gotta be prepared for the repercussions.”He countered, playfully defensive.

“I don’t need this- you are just- ugh-I am hanging up now. Good day!!”

I heard him still laughing as I ended the call.

Enya was eyeing me suggestively.”So….?”

I sighed heavily, shaking my head in exasperation. After a moment I remarked “I’m starving.”
Enya burst out laughing.

“You’ve got to start coming out with me more often.” She giggled as she threw her arm around me and we headed for the kitchen. “Just don’t make me carry you home every time.”

“You had just better savor this moment, because it is never happening again.”
———————————–
Since that day I’ve managed to avoid getting drunk off my ass. I was annoyed at Hugh for teasing me like that, but I guess I deserved it. It is kinda funny, now that I think about it. Besides I was just relieved I hadn’t said anything…important.

The summer has kept me fairly busy. I’ve slowed down on toy production since I have given the orphanages a decent supply. I’ve also gotten to talk to my parents a couple of times but contact has been limited now that they are in a more rural area.

I was really moved when I received a package in the mail full of drawings and thank you notes from the kids. They even included some pictures!

This one is my favorite.

Enya and Dermot’s wedding is coming up in about two weeks. I have been helping her with planning, and that has been a lot of fun. They are heading straight to school in Moonlight Falls the week following the wedding. Enya says they will go on a honeymoon later, with school and the wedding money is understandably a little tight.

Ugh, I still need to write my maid of honor speech.

Once they leave I will have a week to myself and then my parents arrive home! It works out perfectly because that will give me some time to get started on the online classes I signed up for. I’m not sure what direction I’ll go with a degree- maybe some sort of engineering- but these are just a couple prerequisite classes. Once I decide on a degree path I will probably have to transfer to a University. Moonlight Falls would be awesome to visit, but Riverview- where Hugh attends- does have a better engineering program.

I asked Hugh about it when he called a couple weeks ago, he thinks I would like it there. The town is pretty low key.

To be honest, ever since that phone call I’ve been able to think of little else. He is planning to be back for the wedding, arriving in town the Sunday before. The thought of seeing him caused my stomach to flutter.

Over this summer I had been becoming increasingly aware of my feelings for him. I always thought he was attractive, but up until that night before the trip I didn’t seriously consider my attraction turning into something real.
I remember the way he looked at me that night. Was there a spark of something there? Obviously he cares for me, but like a sister? Or something more? All questions and no answers, and all questions I am too afraid to ask. I would be mortified to confess to him, only to find out he’s not interested.

I will just have to wait and see.