Chapter 5: Feelings

Over the next few days Amber finds herself thinking about Grant and wondering if he’s okay.  Which again surprises her, as she isn’t normally someone that worries about others too much.   Near the end of the week, Marcus calls to say he might have a joint project she maybe interested in.  It’s a school build for special needs and they want to showcase the new technology now employed that can help learning, development as well as helping in everyday life to aid in final independence of each individual who attend the school.

Amber is excited to hear about the project and arranges to meet him and some others that will help in its design.  The expected completion time is 2 years, so Amber spends the weekend organising her current projects so, she can finish them quicker in order to focus more on the joint project.  Sunday afternoon she gets a call from Grant asking if she is free to meet and have coffee.  Thinking it is about the joint project she agrees to meet him at a coffee shop near the pier.

When she arrives, he is waiting outside for her “hi thanks for meeting me” he greets “not a problem, I needed a break anyway” she answers before they both walk into the coffee shop.

  They order their drinks and take a seat near the window “has Marcus called you too?” she asks as they sit.  He looks at her and then seems to realise what she means “oh, yes exciting times” he responds.

“I called you though as I have some questions about Stacey and how she died?” he tells her

Amber becomes a little uncomfortable at the mention of her twin sister, “I don’t know the full details, as I was in hospital at the time, waiting for a heart donor.  My Mum doesn’t like talking about it too much as it was a difficult time for her.  I was ill, Dad died of a massive heart attack suddenly and then my sister died in a traffic accident.  I don’t like to bring it up as I know its upsetting for her to remember those dark times” Amber explains

Grant nods his head a little disappointed she doesn't know much.

“I know, my sister’s friend and now my friend, helped Mum get through that difficult time.  I can ask if she can meet you and tell you about it?” Amber offers “were you close to my sister?” she asks

This seems to throw him a little as he stammers as he answers “I, we, I’d like to know what happened to her as she did mean a lot to me” he admits

“In that case I’ll call Karen and ask if she’ll talk to you” Amber says as their drinks arrive.  “Thank you, you look so much alike, it’s a little disconcerting” he says honestly.  Amber nods her head as she knows it must be a lot to deal with.

“Can I ask you what you thought of the joint project Marcus has asked me to join?” she asks needing to change the subject.

Grant smiles and sips his drink before answering “I think, it will be a turning point for future builds, if done properly” he says and really looks at her now.  “You are excited, aren’t you?” he asks smiling again as it looks like she will vibrate out of her chair, trying to contain her excitement.  It reminds him of Stacey.  He might not have been able to see her clearly all the time, but he could feel the energy she'd had to fight to control when she became animated about something she was passionate about.

“I talked to Clive and he agreed that I could pick and chose what projects I could take on in the future.  So, I’ve been organising my present projects, so I can prioritise this new joint project.  I already have some idea’s on how we can use the new tech available to us, in floor texture and lighting, too wall covering that will help direct students around the school” she says practically bouncing in her seat.  “Oh, and some furniture design that will help them move from different arears” she adds taking a big gulp of her drink and watching him wide eyed.

“Yes, I’ve also thought of how to incorporate some new voice tech as well as different surface texture to help with different zoning” he agrees with her.

“Did you read that latest report on LED lighting and how it’s been incorporated into everyday things? There was also a small mention about next months issue about the tech used in cars that will help in safety around the home” Amber asks wanting to know his thoughts and if he reads all the science reports published monthly.

“I did read that yes, with the advancement of textiles too.  It can only mean great advancement in design for disabled people.  I think it is going to be a great time for us designer’s and innovators” Grant agrees liking to see her so excited about things.

They continue to talk about past and present projects they’ve enjoyed working on and the time passes quickly.  Grant reluctantly says he needs to get back having looked at the time.

“Yes sorry, I can get a little too excited and lose track of time” Amber agrees “can I walk you back?” he offers

“No, it’s fine, thank you, I don’t live far from here.  Thanks for the coffee.  See you tomorrow” she says waving and walking away.

She call’s Karen as she walks back and explains her meeting a friend of her sisters that wishes to know more about her accident.  Karen agrees as she took the time to call her and ask her personally.  Also, if this friend was close to Stacey, she doesn’t want them saying anything that might hurt or cause harm to Amber’s fragile mental state.

After getting the friends number from Amber, Karen sends them a text to say she is free tomorrow after work.  Grant texts back thanking her and saying he’ll meet her at any coffee shop she choses.

The next day during the joint meeting, they all agree to work together and draw up a contract that represents them all.  Amber goes back to report excitedly to Clive and Grant goes to the coffee shop to wait for Amber’s and Stacey’s friend.

When he see’s a woman come in and look around spotting him and beginning to walk his way he is happy, whereas the friend looks anything but happy, as she quickens her pace angrily and sits down looking ready to fight.

“Hi long time no see” Karen says, seeing his eyes focus on her face “you can see now?  I would’ve been happy if I’d never seen you again! What happened when she went to see you, that day, three years ago?” she demands

He ignores the comment about him seeing now and instead tells her what happened 3 years ago, “I hadn’t known her dad had passed away and asked a friend to call her to tell her how much I missed her.  When she came to visit me thinking I was sick she got angry we had an argument.  She ran out upset.  I tried to follow her but slipped and knocked myself out breaking my leg in the process.  My brother came to visit me.  He was the one that got me to the hospital.  I had to have pins put in my leg and was out of it for a few days.  I didn’t have my phone and my parents and brother always made excuses about not having the time to go and get my phone.  I was in hospital for nearly a month.  By the time I got out charged my phone and saw all the missed calls.  I tried calling and was told by Stacey’s mother never to contact her daughter again, she even said pretend she is dead to you, before ending the call.”

“Well because of you Stacey ran out of your building and straight into the path of an on coming car.  She was in a coma for nearly a year.  Because of the torma of her father dying, then whatever you did to her, she now believes she is, her dead twin sister and that Stacey died in a car accident and saved her by giving her, her heart” Karen says bluntly

“Jesus Christ, I didn’t know, I really didn’t know.  My family must have kept it from me.  I just knew that I couldn’t reach her again and I think her mum blocked my number.  Someone else is using her number now.  I have always tried calling it just in case.  A few months ago, someone answered and said it was a new number to them.  So, I had to stop calling it.  I met Amber a week or so ago and couldn’t get over how much she looked like Stacey.  When she told me she had died! My world was shaken and it took me some time to get up the nerve to call Amber and ask her about what happened” he says shocked that Amber is actually Stacey his girlfriend.

His mind whirls as he takes it all in.  “Do they think she will remember one day?” he asks “they really don’t know.  She had her ID changed officially due to her mental state with the help of her attending doctor” Karen answers

“I’ll be working with her for a while.  I wonder if I should talk to her doctor, just so I know what to avoid saying or doing?” Grant says thinking out loud.

“I’ll call her and give her your number.  It will be up to her if she contacts you are not.  We get by with not mentioning Stacey to much in front of her.  It’s been hard on her mum, but she’s got used to it now.  She might not be to happy to see that you are working with her daughter again” Karen says guessing about her friends mother feelings.

“I promise I never thought of causing such trouble.  At the time I was immature and selfish, as well as insecure.  While in hospital with my leg I agreed to go abroad and get the eye surgery that could help me regain my sight” he says sincerely

“I’m not sure if I trust you again yet.  It will be up to you to convince me and her mother that you wish her no harm” Karen warns him.  “I will, watch me closely and if I do anything to hurt her from now on.  I’ll leave her and never get in touch with her anymore” he promises.

Karen regards him before answering “do you still love her?” she asks “I do, I realised just how much, when she was no longer in my life.  When I got home after my successful eye operation, I remembered the times we’d been together there, they came rushing back to me.  I was a mess for a while as I didn’t know where she had gone or if she hated me.  It never occurred to me that she’d had an accident” he tells her.

“Okay I’ll talk to her doctor and give her your number.  I’ve got to go, I’m meeting my finance” Karen relies standing up.  “Thank you, for meeting with me and giving me a second chance” Grant thanks her.

“I haven’t yet! I’ll be watching you like a hawk” she argues and he nods smiling walking her out.  They say their goodbyes and go their separate ways.  Grant going home and praying that she talks to Amber’s doctor quickly and that she agrees to give him a call.  He also thinks about making a trip to his brothers place and demanding to know why they didn’t tell him anything?  It isn’t like them.  They have always been honest with each other.  So, he finds this very odd especially as they knew he was having a hard time without her.  Did they have a misunderstanding about her? He wonders to himself.

Not a problem, he’ll explain everything and he’s sure they’ll understand.  After all they’ve always said that his and his brother’s happiness is the most important.  He feels confident that once he’s explained everything they’ll be just as supportive as they’ve always been.

He can tell that she still likes him.  He only hopes that he can help her so they can be together again.