Page 52 of Learning to Trust

Christmas Day

Taking advantage of most stores being closed, I wandered the streets of London. Shop windows were adorned with varying sizes of trees in white, green, even red, decorated with baubles, tinsel, and flickering lights. Nativity scenes, reindeer, Santas, and elves enhanced the Christmas atmosphere. But it was the tree in Trafalgar Square that was the icing on the cake. It must have been fifty feet high and dressed with hundreds of decorative balls and yard upon yard of silver tinsel. Dozens of lights would flicker after dark, causing the tree to change color at regular intervals.

A small café located across the road from Harrods was open, so I pushed through the door and stepped inside. After the biting cold outside, the warmth was welcome. The young boy behind the counter greeted me, and after wishing each other a Merry Christmas, I ordered a coffee and Danish pastry, something I'd developed a weakness for since being in the city this time.

The place was empty. Not surprising considering most people would be spending the day with family—like I should have been. I was alone, but not lonely.

The young boy set my order on the table and returned behind the counter where he was fascinated with something on his phone.

For the first time since shortly after arriving in London, I switched on my cell and placed a Facetime call to Janice. She answered straight away, and her face filled the screen. "David, thank fuck."

“Mom, you said a bad word to Uncle David.” I chuckled on hearing the disgust in my niece’s voice in the background.

“How are you, little brother?”

“I’m good, enjoying London and making progress on the app. and game. Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

"David, won't you please speak with Andrew and give him a chance to explain? He's devastated knowing you're hurting."

“Janice, please, I don’t want to discuss him and argue with you.”

My sister sighed and changed the subject. What else have you been doing?”

“The usual tourist stuff. I walked across Tower Bridge again, rode the London Eye, visited the Towers of London, and checked out the crown jewels. Yesterday I took a cruise up the Thames to Greenwich Village. The information on time is fascinating. I found a great pub there and had traditional fish and chips. I’ve even dropped a few pounds working out in the hotel gym.”

“Sounds like you’re having a great time.”

“I am and I’m healing. I’ve been thinking of selling my place and moving to the Island.”

“Honey, please think hard before you make that decision and please speak with Andrew.”

"It's not final at this point, it's still in the thinking stage, and Janice—I have no intention of giving Andrew or any other man the opportunity to lie to me again. Please, no more, let me speak to Lisa."

After speaking with first Lisa, then Gavin, and hearing about their Christmas hauls, I spoke to Steve about a new project he was working on and gave him a couple of ideas. After again wishing them a Merry Christmas, I disconnected the call.

I placed the cell on the table and signaled for the boy to refill my coffee. As he poured, my phone rang, and I looked down to see it was an unknown number. My first instinct was to ignore the call, but I was curious to find out who was calling on this day.

“David speaking.”

“Thank fuck.”

“Who is this?”

“It’s Kyle, please don’t hang up, David.” I was tempted to do so but sighed and stayed on the line.

“You’re wasting your time, Kyle. I’m done. I’ve been hurt for the last time.”

“You don’t understand.”

"You sound like my sister. Tell me—what exactly don't I understand? Is it that I'm wrong to think I can't trust any man? Is it that I don't understand why Andrew was fucking me and seeing someone on the side? Or is it, that I don't understand why I was once again tossed over for someone else?"

“David, it’s not true. Andrew didn’t betray you.” Please, just give him a chance to speak with you.”

“I can’t Kyle. I won’t listen to any more lies. I know what I saw.”

“When will you be back? Where are you?”

“Kyle, please, I need to be left alone.”