From Russia, With Love...Part 3

His finger lingered on the ‘send’ button once again as laid on his bed in the privacy of his room away from John. Finally he took the plunge and pressed it. The phone rang, and rang, and rang until her voicemail picked up. His heart again sank into his stomach because deep down he knew she could hear her phone and just wasn’t answering it.
“Hi, this is Renae, and I can’t get to the phone right now, so leave a message and I’ll return your call when I get the chance.” She sounded so cheerful, and so happy.
“Renae, this is Vladimir…I know you don’t want to talk with me and that is okay…but I was wondering if you maybe would come to therapy with me next Thursday, if you can. I told you where the building is the last time we talked so you know how to get there…you don’t have to call me back, but I guess I would like it if you did. I love you. Bye.” He quickly pressed the ‘end’ button and turned over on his side. Eventually, he fell asleep. He was awoken by the sound of his phone ringing, and when he looked at the screen, it was her. He answered it as quickly as he could.
“Renae?” He thought perhaps he sounded a bit desperate.
“Hi…” She sounded like she was trying to be careful. “You’re right, I was ignoring you.”
“I thought so.”
“I will come with you, though, but we will go in separate cars.”
“That is okay….”
“How are you?” He wondered if he could possibly condense his feelings into a few words.
“I’m…fine. Everything is fine. How are you?”
“Actually, I’m great. I am taking night classes…Jeanine watches Lennon when I go to school. I feel great.” He died a little inside at the idea that she was so much better off without him while he was so miserable without her.
“Good. I am glad you are happy. You know that is all I have ever want for you…” She didn’t speak for a moment. After a few minutes of silence, she spoke again.
“I know.”
“Renae…”
“Yes?”
“I…”
“You what?” He almost couldn’t say it. He was so afraid she wouldn’t say it back anymore.
“I love you…I love you still…I miss you every day, and I dunno what am I supposed to do. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. I am sorry.” She was quiet again.
“It is okay to say that. I love you too, Vladimir, and I really do miss you, but you can’t come home yet.”
“I know I can’t. I’m working so hard, though.”
“I know you are. Listen, though, I gotta go…Lennon is like, screaming in the other room.” He did hear the crying, and it made him miss home even more.
“Okay. I see you on Thursday?”
“Yes, definitely. I’ll be there.”
“I love you, Renae…”
“I love you too, Vladimir. See you on Thursday. I love you.”
“I love you too. Bye.”
“Bye.” They hung up, and he could feel a small smile creep across his face.