Nicki over here, Nathan shouted. I tracked the flight on the net and saw the delay so only set off when they gave a landing time. I didn't realize the traffic would be so bad. Sorry.
That was Nathan she thought. Always apologizing for something that wasn't his fault. Hello, she said as he hugged her. Don't let him hold you for too long, it would be unfair.
Let me have a look at you, he said, holding her at arm’s length. Still the same beautiful Nicki. Perfectly dressed and not a hair out of place even after such a long flight.
“And you've lost weight. Have you been eating properly?
How can a man eat properly when he is love sick, he said as he picked up her bag. Jesus what have you got in here, a real elephant?
Just a few small one's to add to my collection.
'I've never understood why you collect elephants, he admitted as they walked toward the parking area.
Correct all along, he never listens to me. I've told you a few times. Because my South African dad always told me the tale about how the little elephant got a long trunk. I have been fascinated by them ever since. She could see he wasn't listening again. He was looking for the parking ticket. He tutted and put her bag down as he searched though every pocket.
You haven't bothered to clean out the car then? she said as she squeezed her long legs between empty coke cans and pizza boxes. Surely if you were going to collect the woman you love from the airport, after she'd been away for a year, you would make a bit of an effort.
The Fiat screeched into life, and Nathan reversed out of the parking lot, almost hitting the car next to them. So how was it really? I mean you told me you enjoyed it, but can someone really enjoy a year in Moscow? It's full of commies for a start.
Nicki looked at all the dead flies on the windshield and considered her answer. I did enjoy it. And it's not full of commies. It was the chance of a lifetime. A lot of people applied for that exchange place to Moscow State University. I was the lucky one who got it, so I decided to make the best of it.
She pulled down the sun visor and looked at herself in the vanity mirror. Nathan was right. Her makeup had withstood the grueling flight, her lips were still bright red, and her eyes bore no smudges. She'd gotten a new hairdo in Moscow; she was sure Nathan hadn't noticed. She liked it. Natasha the lovely girl who'd cut it was fascinated by black people's hair. She'd never had a black woman in her chair before. It looks wiry, she'd remarked, but quickly changed her mind when she touched it. Now Nicki wore it long and thrown to one side in sweeping curls.
Jesus, asshole, Nathan shouted as he almost ran into a taxi that had stopped to turn left.
Nathe, Nicki murmured. I'm going to hate myself, she thought. I want to talk to you. She looked across at him. He was tall and dark and had a strong looking face, the kind that women trusted. He would soon find some else. Someone more suitable. Someone who didn't mind dirty cars, and a boyfriend who doesn't listen. Nathe, thanks for giving me a lift home. It's really nice of you.
Nice? Did you think after a year that I wouldn't come and collect my girlfriend from the airport?
They'd been together for four years, ever since Nicki had started her course in journalism at NYU. It was the first time she'd been away from her parents, and she'd been nervous. She was brought up in a small town in Alabama, and at the time; New York had seemed so intimidating. Now she had to admit that when she'd met Nathan, she had clung onto him for her own sake. Not because she loved him, but because he was a New Yorker and made her feel at ease with the Big Apple. Now she was going to have to pay for stringing him along all this time. Why had she just let it drift?
Well, it is nice of you. Come on girl, out with it, she told herself trying to find the right words. Nathe I don't want to be with you any more. I want to be your friend, but I don't want a sexual relationship with you anymore.
What? he said as he swerved round another taxi.
You never listen to a word I say, she shouted in frustration.
Sorry, what were you saying?
She took a deep breath and began again. Nathe you're sweet, but I want to finish our relationship.
What? She was fearful he hadn't heard her again, but he had. What the hell are you talking about, finish?
I want to be friendly with you, but not your girlfriend anymore. I've thought a lot about it while I was in Moscow, and we're not compatible. You could find someone much better suited to you. You're only twenty-four, and you've got a great job at the Times. You're bound to find Mrs. Right.
Nicki, he exclaimed. She closed her eyes; sure he was going to run into the car in front. No Nicki, you've got it wrong. I don't want anybody else. I want you. Jesus, I love you.
It was the first time he'd said that, and it made it all the more difficult. You think you love me, Nathe. But really you only have time for one person. Yourself.