An Unwanted Fairytale - v

Chapter Five.

Georgia and Chari accompanied Freddie to Auntie's house. They were welcomed with open arms and a small white haired, grandmotherly dressed sixty year old woman.

"Please come in," she insisted, herding her visitors into the living area of the home Freddie often missed from time to time.

"Thanks for having us, I hope we're not intruding."
"Of course not! You're always welcome home, anytime."
Freddie hugged the woman with as much affection she would have given her own mother.
"Thank you. You don't know how much that means to me."
"Oh I do, pumpkin."

Freddie's eyes watered a bit and she shook her head in disbelief. How was she blessed with such great people in her life?

"Well, come on, ladies," Auntie cheerily began, "I didn't cook Winnie's favorite food for nothing! Let's eat!"
"Auntie makes the best home cooked meals you will ever have tasted in your life!" Freddie gushed in anticipation.

Georgia oohed and ahead as she settled Chari in her bassinet as close to the table as possible, with one eye on the food being uncovered.

"Sit. Sit! Eat up, ladies. And tell me what has been going on in your lives, while I watch over this cute little baby."

And so the lunch date went on without a single hiccup. No one was put on the spot for the past would've, could'ves or should'ves and for that Freddie was thankful.

Making the promise to visit each time she was in town, Freddie never worried about bumping into Danny; it was the last thing that came to mind.

According to his mother Danny hadn't come back home after the engagement was called-off, but continued to live in the townhouse they bought together.
Auntie also revealed that her son hadn't opened up about how he felt about what happened, but she was sure he wasn't over her yet. The few times he came home, she had seen enough to know that he still loved his Winnie.

By the end of the sad spoonful of information, Freddie found herself more determined to scrounge up the bravado to speak to Danny about why she left things the way she did. The closure would have to start with her. But how does one initiate closure when one doesn't want the issue closed?

"Anyway," Auntie started, "he just bought a new restaurant so he's quite busy with arranging staff."
"Which one?"
"Not sure," she replied.
"Can I get his number from you, Auntie? I think I really need to talk to him."
"Sure. Be back in a second," she said and left the room.

Georgia who, while nursing her baby girl, was quiet the whole time spoke, "Are you sure about this, honey?"
Freddie nodded, "Yes."
"Here you go, baby girl. Its his cell phone so he's bound to answer it any time you call. He never leaves without it."
"Thanks. I'm not sure what I'm going to say yet, so please don't mention it?"
"My lips are sealed. Just promise you'll visit again?"

Suddenly, and quite seemingly, out of nowhere Auntie had a coughing fit that had her spitting out blood.
"Auntie!"
"No! Don't worry about me..."
"Are you nuts? Not worry when you're coughing up blood?!"
"It's nothing. I had it checked. It's nothing serious."
Freddie was skeptical, "You're not lying?"
"No, I'm ok. Go on. You ladies probably have more things to get done today, Don't forget about me!"
"We won't," Georgia agreed, giving her a goodbye hug.
"I'll miss you, Auntie. Take care and if you need anything just call me at the number I gave you, OK?"
Auntie nodded, kissed baby Chari on the forehead and said her goodbyes.

"Such a dear," Georgia sighed.
"They're too good to be true," Freddie thought aloud.
"What's up with the names?"
"What names?"
"Why did you insist on us calling you Freddie if the people here knew you as Winnie?"
"It was a change. I was running away from everything that reminded me of what I want, but don't deserve."

Walking towards the car, Georgia challenged Freddie with, "You can't judge what you do or don't deserve. Don't you feel you cheated him out of a choice in an important decision?"

Freddie stopped on her tracks.

That was true. What she based her actions on were assumptions. What if he would still have her even though she couldn't reciprocate the happily ever after he promised?

"You're right..."
Buckling in her daughter, Georgia quietly asked, "What are you going to do?"

The question was met with silence as many scenarios ran though Freddie's mind. Finally she replied, "nothing."

"Oh, Winnie..." Georgia exclaimed using her real name.
"I know..."
"So when?"
"When I gather up the courage to face him and tell him why."
"But why did you leave him?"
"He was too perfect. I love him. I had to let him go because I can't offer him what another woman out there could. I can't get pregnant."
"Oh, Honey..." Georgia comforted her friend who openly broke down.
"The one thing I've wanted all my life was to have the complete picture, and I almost had it and it's my fault I won't ever have it."
"And you never told him why?"
"No..."

Georgia soothed her back until the majority of the tears were shed. After checking thrice that Freddie was OK, she got off the side of the road where she made the emergency stop and drove for home.

Now she knew the majority of the story. What she wanted to know now was, how exactly did Danny feel about his Winnie.

Georgia knew that a majority of the world's population believed that not much good ever came out of prying, but she had to give it a try. If a few people hadn't helped nudge Phoenix and her into the same corner, they probably never would have seen that they were meant to be together. She remembered the time when she attempted to cower away and try to forget how it was to love someone who didn't love her back. It wasn't the best times at all. So she empathized with Winnie. If all the unspoken words could just be said, wouldn't it be ideal if the things Winnie thought mattered, really didn't?

The last thought that came to mind as she drove her friend to the train station was, "Did he ever try to find his Winnie?"

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the city Daniel was being hounded by his new Assistant Manager.

He told Angeline about the reason behind purchasing the restaurant. Like any other woman, she found it utterly endearing and romantic. That was, until she found out why.

His Fiancee had returned the ring and ran off to live another life somewhere far away. Although she would in the drop of a hat side with her new employer, she had to leave him with one impertinent question.

"Did you ever try to find her to ask her why?"