Broken Wings

Part Sixty - Honesty??

Chapter Sixty

Julia felt dazed as she stepped out of the doctor's office. She was miles from home, and she couldn't have felt further from reality.

Dropping onto a park bench, she held her head in her hands for long moments. Was Anna right? But even as she tried to digest all that she'd said, she knew that she was right. She didn't trust Aaron, and she didn't show him any respect. She'd taken what she wanted from him. Did he know that she cared for him? That she wanted more than they had? She hadn't told him, in fact she'd made every opportunity to avoid those conversations.

Because she was too scared.

She was dreading him leaving her, abandoning her....like everyone else. And instead she'd driven him into someone else's arms. Literally.

She thought about Aaron and his closeness to the other woman the previous night. Whilst it had looked damning at the time, Julia was unable to admit whether she was angry, jealous or just felt inadequate. But what she did know, in her heart of hearts, was that he wasn't the type to string her along. If there was someone else, he'd have told her, ended their relationship...and then moving on. But only a few nights ago he'd confessed to missing her, to wishing she was back there, it had been what had precipitated her journey home early.

And at the first test?

She groaned, it wasn't the first test, she'd avoided all reference to him whenever challenged. He deserved so much better, so much more than she was able to offer.

Reaching in her pocket, she pulled out her phone and dialled.

"Hey, girlfriend."

Slumping back against the bench, Julia sighed, "hey, Abi. You OK?"

"I am, but I'm wondering how you are."

She groaned, "you've heard."

Abi sighed, "I've heard nothing, but Aaron called Luke asking if I'd heard from you. Funnily enough I hadn't heard a word since you buzzed off early. For reasons"

Julia paused, silent for a long moment, then groaned, "I've been sleeping with Aaron."

It took everything in her to say that, and was met with a laugh from her friend.

"No shit?"

Julia froze, "you knew?"

"Well, I wasn't sure. But you're different, and you and him seem so close. Let's just say I hoped, because you deserve SO much more than you've had to date."

"You think?"

She chuckled, "I like him, he's good for you, and last week....you being home here....you're different. And I hope that you're starting to find happiness. Do you like him?"

Julia groaned again, "I....I think I've blown it, Abs."

"I heard Aaron's message from last night, I doubt that very much. What happened?"

She explained about coming back early, wanting to surprise him....and how it failed.

"You haven't blown anything. By coming back....he will see that as a gesture, and knowing you, darling. That's a huge gesture."

Julia felt as though she was on the verge of tears, "you think?"

"I know. Go back, see him. Tell him how you feel."

"You think it's that easy?"

Abi chuckled, "it can be. Three little words. Not that hard for people who've had love, I get that its so foreign to you, But I have to say, that from my eyes, for what that matters, he completes you. You may be scared, but it's better to have tried, isn't it? Better to have fought for what you want?"