All That We Could Be

Chapter Twenty

Fallon entered her house before midnight. Dinner had been one arduous affair. William had been asking her what she wanted to do after exams, if she wanted to take a trip out of the country. Fallon had politely declined, saying she had to get ready for the tour that would be coming up in a few months. She also told him she was probably going to be out of the country after exams. She didn’t tell him her plans to see her family. There was no way she would allow him to tag along.

He told her they would go out tomorrow to some new restaurant opening. She agreed, trying to play along a little.

As Fallon walked into the living room, she saw Cheryl sitting on the couch, apparently waiting for her. Fallon was a little hesitant, but went to the living room anyway. “So did you ruin me?” Cheryl asked. “Hello to you too.” Fallon said. “Fallon did you leave him?” Cheryl pushed. “No, I didn’t, and because I didn’t, you are going to tell me what exactly what it is that will ruin you if I leave William.” Fallon told, this ultimatum Fallon had already decided on.

“I can’t.” Cheryl told her. “Really? Cheryl, you can’t have it both ways. I can’t go along with this and just be shut out in the dark.” Fallon said, angry once again at being kept in the dark. “I’m sorry Fallon, but you won’t be able to handle it. Even I can’t handle it. I just can’t tell you.” Cheryl said, as she got up to leave. “Tell me why I’m doing this for you. How is it that you already know I can’t handle it, when you won’t even give me a chance.” Fallon told her, it was maddening not to know what was going on.

“If I tell you and William finds out…everything I’ve worked so hard for will be over. So it’s better if you don’t know.” For the second time in two days, Cheryl left Fallon standing alone and frustrated.

It was Monday morning, Fallon woke up bright and early. She had classes later in the afternoon, but today she was calling home. She wanted to tell her parents she wanted to come home for two weeks, right after she finished exams.

She called her parents house. No one picked up. Next she tried her father’s laboratory. No one was there either. Puzzled, Fallon tried the cell phone that she had gotten her mother for her last birthday. Three rings later her mother finally picked up.

“Hello, mom?” Fallon asked. “Hello, sweetheart. How are you?” Her mother asked. “I’m fine, mom. I wanted to tell you that I was going to be coming home next week…right after my exams are done. Where are you anyway? I called home and no one picked up…and daddy’s not at the lab…” Fallon trailed off.

“Oh Fallon, I’m so sorry. I forgot to tell you, but you’re uncle invited us to Africa. You know how your uncle was always talking about learning how to network with other companies. So he and your father decided to actually go so your father could open up another branch here and make some more business contacts. In the end we all decided to go, so now we’re here. Your sister and brothers are loving it though. They love the wildlife and the experience is going to be good for them.” Her mother told her.

Fallon felt sad to be missing out. “I wish I was there.” She told her mother. “I know, honey. It was just all of a sudden. You can still go home if you like, keep an eye on the lab. Besides I’m sure your cousins are dying to see you.” At this Fallon perked up. That was a great idea. She could go visit her cousins. Even the one who had moved to Calgary after getting married last summer.

“Yea I could do that. So how long are you in Africa, mom?” Fallon asked. “Probably a month. You’re dad just wants to find some stuff for the company and go to a couple of conferences. Well there’s a lot he wants to do. So a month will give him the time.” Her mother replied.

“When did you leave?” Fallon asked. “I think it was Thursday night. You’re father’s class had their exam on the first day of the exam week. So he got off early. It worked out quite well. Anyway enough about this. How is everything going? How’s school? How’s Cheryl?” Her mother asked in return. Fallon paused. “Everything is fine, mommy. School’s almost over, but my grades are good this year. Cheryl’s…well Cheryl’s okay.” Fallon said, a renewed sadness came over her.

“Come Fallon, what’s wrong dear?” Her mother asked her kindly. “It’s nothing, mom.” Fallon said, glumly. “Alright honey. So what else have you been doing?” Her mother asked. “Not much. I worked a little bit on my car, but that was a while ago. Nothing else is new around here.” She told her mother. “So where’s daddy?” Fallon asked. “You’re dad is at a conference today. I’m sorry honey, maybe you can talk to him later. Besides, I have to go your brothers and sister are making a racket outside. They probably saw something or some one…those kids…anyways I love you Fallon, and send my love to Cheryl too.” Her mother said. “I love you too, mom. Say hi to the three of them and daddy. I miss you guys.” Fallon said. Her mother agreed, and the two of them hung up.

Fallon thought about her family for a while longer. It would be really weird going back to an empty home. Maybe she could ask one of her cousins to get her from the airport, and just stay with them for the week. Or she could go at some other time when her family was home. It was just Fallon really wanted to go home. She knew she wouldn’t get much of a chance in the summer because of the tour, and right now things with Cheryl needed to cool down. Fallon chose not to decide the date just yet. Instead she went on to the computer and looked at the prices for the three tickets she would need to buy. One from England to Toronto, the other from Toronto to Calgary, and the third from Calgary all the way back to England. Although it was more likely she would have to go from Calgary to Vancouver to England.

Fallon thought the prices were fairly reasonable, considering she was only going for two weeks. They could have been a whole lot worse.

Fallon glanced at the time and decided to get ready for school. It was going to be exam review in class, so there was no point in missing it. Fallon pulled on a pair of pants, t-shirt, and a light cardigan. She felt weird sometimes, without long sleeves. She got her sneakers, and took her backpack, as she left the room. Once outside she closed her room door.

She went into the kitchen and got herself some lunch for school, and a little bit to eat for breakfast. It was still quiet around the house, although it was almost eleven o’clock.

Fallon left the house quietly, stopping only to lock the door. As she drove away, she made up her mind to try and help Cheryl, because Fallon didn’t want this or anything else to come between them.