Collision Course

“Hey, where are you two going?” Liam asked as Ruth led me through the foyer.

“I was just going to take Allie for a walk. You know, show her where you grew up.” Ruth replied, continuing to lead me with her rather firm grasp on my elbow. Liam shot me a questioning glans, as if to ask if I needed help. I reassuringly smiled and continued out the door with Ruth.

Once we were on the sidewalk and walking away from the house, Ruth let me go. We continued in silence as we strolled in the brisk evening air. Night was setting in but clouds were covering the sunset. Birds called to each other in the trees while a dog barked at a siren off in the distance.

“Allie.” Ruth finally said, curing me off to the fact that the interrogation was indeed about to start. “Is that your real name?”

Chuckling a little, I replied saying, “Yes it is. Allie or Alejandra Halloway.”

“Why are you laughing?” She asked in all seriousness.

“Look, I understand the idea of interrogating every person who tries to get close to your brother. Honestly. I did not know he was big and famous when we met, but I see it now and sometimes it scares me. But even if he were not famous, I still think you would question me. It is the same for me. I come from a big family. I have five siblings and I would question any new girlfriend or boyfriend of any of theirs just to know that they are gong to be good for my family. So I see why you are questioning me. That is why I am laughing. Because I had been waiting for it and had wondered if you would ask me while we were eating dinner or get me alone, like now, and then ask.”

“Since you understand why I am asking, then I am just going to keep going.” Ruth said. “Normally you would have me and my sister doing this, but since Nicola can’t be here, I shall have the honors. Why are you with Liam?”

“Because I love him. I know it is quick, but it is true.” I could not think of a better answer, but apparently it was not what Ruth wanted to hear.

“Why should I believe that?” She asked, arms crossed and face stone cold.

“You don’t have to. That is fine with me. But Liam is the first person to make me feel loved. He makes my heart speed up and slow down all at the same time. I can’t wait to see him and hate when I can’t see him. Most importantly Liam is the first person that I can genuinely say that I love with the exception of my brother.” I said, again hoping it would help convince her.

Her face began to soften a little, but her posture did not change aw we walked along the road. “How did you meet Liam?”

“I actually ran into him on the street one day when I was not looking. I was late for work, which is unlike me, and I was trying to get across the street. In the time I took me to check over my shoulder for cars, I barreled into your brother with his two cups of coffee in hand. I met him as we were both covered in Starbucks.” I said.

“Seriously?” She attempted to cover up her own chuckle with a cough, but I could tell I was breaking through her hard candy shell to the soft and gooey center.

“It is a hell of a meet cute.” I replied.

“Movie fan?” she asked.

“Just the older ones if they are good.” I replied.

“So, tell me more. How did you two begin dating?”

“I saw him from a distance later that day and sent over a drink as an apology. He saw me with my room mate and she ended up setting us up in sorts after I left.” I tried to keep it short and sweet, knowing that as a sibling, the fewer details that are given, as long as they are true, are better.

“How long ago was this?” She seemed almost mad.

“A month and a week.” I replied. Her face went sour. “He didn’t tell you did he?” It was my turn to ask questions. I could see it in her face, in the way her shoulders dropped.

“We used to be so close.” She murmured.

“Then be close again. Make the effort, even if it is just a text every day letting him know you are still here for him. As for him not telling you, you have to look at it from his perspective. He loves you but knows that you are over protective of him. Would you tell someone you knew was going to grill someone if it meant that they might get scared away?” I tried to reassure her.

She looked at me, not quite a scowl, but she was not quite a fan of mine now. “You think I am not there for him?”

“That’s not at all what I meant. I just know that with there being distance and him not having much free time that it might seem like you are not as close as you once were.”

“We are getting way off topic.” Ruth picked herself up. Standing tall once again, she continued her interrogation. “What brings you, an American, all the way to London?”

“I am working in conjunction with the British Museum and University of London to get my masters in Medieval Studies.” I proudly stated.

“Medieval Studies? Isn’t that a useless thing to study?” She was quite serious in her question.

“Not in the slightest. There is so much history from that time period that we have not acquired the knowledge of yet. The best way to study our present day and age is to look back to see what has already happened.” I know I might have been rambling, but I was passionate about what I was doing. “Studying the fourteenth to the eighteenth century has so many different important and impactful devices that it will never be useless. Even if it were, I still think I would be studying it since history is what I am passionate about.”

“You are learned and scholarly. So why are you with someone who dropped out of university?” Ruth again interrogated me.

“You do not get to choose the course your life takes. You might have a path in mind, but love never did follow the course you think you take.” I said. “I did not choose Liam, nor did he choose me, we just fell in love.”

“You keep saying that word. Love. You love Liam. What does Love even mean to you?” She was challenging me. I could tell that Ruth was looking for something that she could hold against me.

“Well it depends on each person as to what love means. Technically, it is four characteristics known in Greek as Agape, Philia, Storge, and Eros. But I don’t think you are looking for the technical ideas.” I said.

“I get that you are a history buff, and that you are a technical person. But I want to know that love means to you.” Ruth clarified.

“It is the desire that I have that Liam be happy no matter what, even if it is without me. Love, to me, and the constant pull that I feel to Liam, like he is my importance in this life. Love is the profound affection that focuses every move I make and its relation to him.” I said.

“I have one last question for you.” Ruth said as she stopped me in front of her childhood home. “I know it is cliché, but what are your intentions with my brother?”

“I intend to love him as much as I can for as long as he lets me. It is too soon for anything else, though I do hope that we have a future together.” I honestly stated.

I sat quietly with my parents watching television impatiently waiting for Allie and Ruth to return. Nervously my leg bounced up and down and I played aimlessly with my phone. It felt like ages since the two of them had left. Ruth had always been protective of me, not as much as Nicola, but nonetheless protective. Finally, I heard the squeak of the front door as it opened.

I jumped out of the chair and nearly ran to the door.

“At least you didn’t kill her.” I said to Ruth, quite glad that Allie seemed to be unscathed by the interrogation put on by Ruth.

“I thought about it, but don’t think Paul would be too happy with me if I created that sort of a PR nightmare for him and you.” Ruth said, pushing past me and into the living room. “Oh,” She turned around, “She is too smart for you.” She said before walking away.

“Hi.” Allie said, embracing me.

“You ok?” I asked into her hair.

“No blood.” She replied.

“Sorry about her.” I said again into her hair, happy to have her in my arms again.

“She is your older sister, it is her job to interrogate me.” Allie said before she pulled away from me, adding, “You might want to take some more time out of your day to keep her up to date. She seemed a bit mad at you and your lack of communication with her.”

“Do you two want popcorn? Your father and I are putting in a movie.” Mum said, peering around the doorframe.

“Sure.” I mumbled, not really caring either way if she made food or not.

“I am going to go help.” Allie said before she followed my mum into the kitchen.

The loveseat was unoccupied when I went to join the rest of the family in the living room. Happily, I claimed it for Allie and me as dad went to put in a movie. I could hear the clang of pots and pans in the kitchen and the low mumble of Allie and mum. The faint popping of the corn began not long after and the smell of popcorn wafted through the house.

I heard the sound of a slamming door and mum shuffling after.

Three soft nocks on the door were quickly followed by mum asking, “Allie are you alright darling?”