Written from Bronwen’s point of view.
"Can I help you miss?" a waitress asked.
I looked around the room and spotted Joey behind a newspaper and a pair of sunglasses, in a corner booth. "No thank you," I replied politely and then walked over, slipping into the booth. "Hi."
"Hi," he said putting down the newspaper. There was an awkward silence, before he interjected, "Do you have to go back to work soon?"
"No, I have an interview at three but I'm not having too much success on the job front," I answered. "I'm having second thoughts about quitting my job in LA."
The waitress came over with a medium cheese pie and a pitcher of pepsi. "Here you go," she said and then walked away.
"I ordered already, I was kinda hungry." he said taking a slice.
"No problem," I answered, pouring myself some soda.
"I...I don't want to pry, but what were you doing in LA?" he asked.
I could tell he didn't want to ask me that but he still wanted to know the answer. "I was working for a type of freelance agency, mostly doing ads," I explained. "I was supposed to build my own portfolio so I could go out on my own and do the kind of photography I want to do. But the company wasn't working out for me, and the VMA thing was the end of the line for me and I quit." I rambled, like always did when I was nervous.
"Oh," Joey was quiet for a moment, "I saw you at the Planet Hollywood party."
"I know," I said quietly, engrossing myself in my pizza. I couldn't even look at him. I could still feel his arms around me from the wedding party.
"I know you wanted to tell me," Joey began after finishing his pizza, "But I don't think right now is the right time."
"Ok," I said looking up again.
"Can I ask you a question?" he asked, fighting the words out.
"Yeah."
"Why do you want to tell me? And why now?" he sounded pained, and I wanted to curl up in a little ball right there and make it all go away. "Why do you want to rehash everything."
I looked up and watched as Joe bit his nails. "It's hard to explain why without saying what," I said. "But I know when."
"When?" he asked, a little colder and yet wondering at the same time.
"I was watching TV one day and I flipped to MTV and there you were," I uncomfortably smiled. "You know you guys own that station. You were sniffling on the show and coughing a little, and all I wanted to do was take care of you. I wanted to wrap you up in a blanket and lie on the couch with you. I wanted to cook you chicken soup till you got better," I explained, remembering that day so clearly in my mind. I had tried to call his cell five times, before I found out that the number had been disconnected.
"I don't get what it has to do with it?" he asked a little confused.
"It wasn't the same but I had an idea of what you went through when I wouldn't let you help me. It was awful. I know it won't change anything if I tell you, but I guess it's selfish but it's something I have to do, and I think I owe you this explanation." I answered from my heart.
"You don't need to tell me anything," he said kind of harshly, "But I'll hear it, just not now," he added a little softer.
"Thank you," I whispered, tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. I changed the subject, "What are you doing for Christmas."
Joey was happy the topic was discarded and answered, "Christmas Eve dinner with the fam, and then to JC's for a little party, and then Christmas breakfast with the fam," he ran through the events like he always did. "You?"
I thought up something quickly, "Flying back to Jersey, for Christmas with my dad and grandparents," I spat out.
"When are you going home?" he asked "Christmas is in five days."
Shit, I hadn't thought it through enough, "Uh, the 23rd, I got a good rate, I don't know how.”
"Oh," he answered and then looked at his watch. "I gotta go, we're taping a special for ABC in an hour."
I stood up to follow his lead. "I probably won't see you so Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," he said, and then walked out of the restaurant.
I just stood there a little numb for a few seconds. I went out to my car and began to wonder what I actually would do for Christmas.
I walked into the pizza place and was so nervous. I felt like a teenager on her first date all over again.