Free-Falling

47

"I think I will."

"Good." Griffon said, now talking for Geoff who was still watching to bloody tv.

If I could get away for a few I would be happier. I wouldn't have to think about Michael because I would have Dan. And also I would be home for a bit.

No more Austin for a few days. I was starting to grow onto this vacation idea.

Yeah I would miss Austin but I miss England more.

"So when are you going?" Millie asked plopping a seat on the couch next to me.

"Oh I don't know." I said looking down at her.

She hugged my side while Geoff and Griffon watched.

"I'm offended by how much my daughter likes you and not her own father." Geoff said.

"Well you know I'm Gavin."

"If you go. Promise you will come back." Millie asked.

I put my arm around her and rubbed her shoulder. I hadn't thought of leaving until Geoff mentioned it.

I hadn't even thought if leaving without coming back either,"I promise Millie."

Griffon smiled as she walked away after saying she would be right back.

I sat with Millie while Geoff was watching, clearly jealous.

He sighed,"You do know I'm your father." He finally said toward Millie.

She nodded and sat quietly.

"Then why don't you hug me?"

"Because I hug you all the time and Gavin is leaving soon."

I laughed,"I won't be gone forever Millie."

"But who's gonna play with me?" She asked.

I shrugged and Geoff said he would get Michael to do it while I'm gone.

And then I snapped back into my thoughts about Michael.

He won't miss me as nearly as much as Millie would. He's probably locking lips with Lindsey while it pours outside.

I looked down at the pillow still on my lap while Geoff and Millie went back and forth talking.

I can't afford to lose my best friend let alone Michael. I can't believe I was so stupid to think Michael would feel the same.

I sighed silently to myself until Griffon walked back into the room with a lap top in her hands.

She sat down next to Geoff and Millie and I moved over to be closer to them both.

"Whatcha doing?" I said taking a seat next to Griffon with Millie still by my side.

"Looking up international flights."

"Pick the closest one to today's date so I can get as much Gavin free time as possible." Geoff said and I started snickering.

"Barbara would be proud of that." I said and he looked puzzled.

"You said Gavin free time. My name is Free. So- you know what never mind." I said shaking off Geoff's stare.

Millie held onto my arm and everyone leaned closer toward the lap top.

"My bubble has been penetrated." Griffon said.

"I blame Gavin."

"Millie did it."

"What!" She said standing on the couch,"I didn't do it I swear!"

Geoff, griffon and I started laughing because Millie hadn't understood what was said.

"It's okay." I said.

Millie plopped back down at my side while Griffon scrolled through the flights to England looking for the times and dates.

Clicking here and there she finally brought up a page with plenty of flights listed.

"When do you want to go?" She asked.

"He says tomorrow Griffon. Tomorrow. As in tomorrow." Geoff replied for me and I smiled.

"Love you too big guy."

"Honestly I don't know when he would be able to go. If the storms continue he may not leave for a while."

"Well you never know." Geoff said staring at me,"I can force him on a plane."

"And who would be the pilot?" I asked.

"Me!" Millie shouted raising her hands in the air.

Griffon took the remote from Geoff and quickly put on the news for a weather forecast.

"Hey, hey! I was watching that." Geoff proclaimed.

"We're dealing with a major travel crisis right now."

Once she changed it to the news she immediately turned it back for Geoff and began scrolling through the dates.

"There." She said,"Your booked."

"That was fast. I thought it was going to rain all week." I said looking at the screen.

"Weathermen are stupid they can't predict anything. If they didn't know it would flood they sure won't know when it would end."

"So you picked a random flight?"

"No," she said pointing at the computer,"the rain is supposed to continue but there's a front coming in that will push it out. Trust me."

"Trust her." Geoff said nodding without taking his eyes off the tv.

"Well, okay. Then it's settled." I said.

"So your leaving soon?" Millie asked and I nodded slowly.

"How soon?"

"Well." I said looking at the screen,"Tomorrow..." I said silently.

"I leave tomorrow?" I asked and Griffon nodded.

"Wow." Geoff said smiling,"I never thought anyone could get rid of Gavin that quickly."

I coughed and cleared my throat to show I was still here and Geoff laughed to himself.

Griffon left the room again, I assume to print out my boarding pass and stuff while Millie started rambling.

"If you leave tomorrow we have a lot to do mr. We have lots and lots to do!"

She grabbed my hand and pulled me off the couch away from the living room.

"Go easy on him Millie!" Geoff called back, his voice getting smaller the farther we walked,"We need him until tomorrow!"

She pulled me and I guess I was just going along for the ride.

I was going home, I was going to see Dan.

I felt myself grin ear to ear while Millie continued talking. Eventually I zoned out and I was stuck thinking about England.

No Austin, and no Michael. If Michael didn't care, then I shouldn't have to care either.

I'm leaving. I smiled even more at my thoughts.

Dan, I'm coming home.

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Sorry I didn't update yesterday, I've been busy getting things prepared for school next week and ecsc (for those who don't know, east coast surfing championship) was going on so I've been out a lot. Again sorry. I plan to spend the next few days updating often. :)