Chapter 4

When he talked to the hospital board about taking an extended break, he expected that they would merely give him a week or two. But instead, they informed him that he can take a break for five weeks if he wants to.

Since he became a doctor at the age of twenty-seven, Gale never takes a leave from work. He enjoys his job so much he didn't feel the need to go on holiday and it made his annual leave got accumulated.

Meryl once got angry at him for refusing to come with her to London and stay for a couple of days with her family there. He felt bad about it, but he was persistent with his decision, and in the end; Meryl never invites him to come with her again.

As a neurologist – the field that he chose in the hope for him to find a way to treat himself – Gale was always busy and he simply didn't have any reason to take a leave. That of course, until Ben decided to settle in Golden.

Ben is Gale's cousin from his dad's side. They were not blood-related because Ben was adopted by Gale's uncle; Stuart and his wife who couldn't have children – yet, Ben has been the only family who cares for Gale after the accident. He lived in Golden for the first eighteen years of his life and moved to Winnipeg to attend college at the University of Manitoba. When he graduated, he went back to Golden to care for his widowed dad until he passed away when Ben was twenty-four. After Ben's dad had passed, he lived alone in Golden. Gale and his family always visited him every year during the holiday season.

When the accident happened, Ben immediately moved to Toronto to help Gale's recovery. He lived there for about three years and by the second year, he met Molly. They dated for about a year until finally get married and decided to move to Golden. Molly was more than happy to move there because she always dreamt to live in a small town with splendid scenery.

She recently just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Danielle – Dani for short. Gale very much wants to spend time with them and of course, he would like to help Molly and Ben to take care of the baby while he can.

Now Gale has an excuse to take his leave, he would not say no anymore for taking a break from his job and spend some time just for himself with his loved ones.

The way Gale perceived about all that; it was a miracle and he got lucky – sort of. Good thing he never takes his leave before, because now that he needs to get away for some time from his hectic life and mind; he can.

It was April when Gale and Meryl broke off their engagement. Baby Dani was born in May and now in the middle of July; he was packing his clothes and got some help from Meryl and Finn.

His relationship with Meryl was slowly getting better as time passed by. They slowly become friends again and it was so evident how much they relieved and content with their decision to end their romantic relationship and start a friendly one once again.

Meryl came around again in Gale's life by the end of June and they had reconciled. Gale was glad that she was okay and well after she had silenced him for almost two months. He barely saw her at the hospital. She's very good at hiding.

"Gale, how long will you stay there?" Meryl asked from the kitchen as she prepares some food.

"Three. It's very tempting to use up all of five weeks the board suggested me but I don't think it'll be logical to stay for that long at Ben's." Gale explained while staring at his luggage that lays on the floor of his living room. Packing is a very confusing thing to do. "Finn, are you sure about this? Don't you think I have to bring more shirts and pants?"

"No, just wash the dirty ones when you run out of them," Finn said as Meryl enters the living room.

"Wash what?" She asked. “And by the way, it will. Ben and Molly would only be glad to have you as long as you can stay.”

"Clothes. He doubts our skills in packing – again." Finn said. “And Meryl is right. They adore you.”

Gale took the chicken nugget that Meryl brought from the kitchen and start munching it. His brows furrowed deeply as he did so.

"I mean... I think it's inconvenient to wash my clothes at their place. I could just bring more and wash them when I get back. And even if they adore me and will have me as long as possible; I don’t want to impose." Gale said.

"No, you'll be dead tired, and believe me; laundry will be the last thing that enters your mind. Especially since you'll be going by car. You'll be running out of clean clothes to wear when you get back." Finn insisted and Meryl nodded her head in agreement.

Gale look at the two of his best friends and sighed. He was so not used to the idea of packing and holidays. Maybe, the old Gale before amnesia did since he always visited Ben each year.

"That would be appropriate? To wash my clothes at their house?" Gale inquired.

Finn and Meryl nodded in unison. But Gale was unconvinced.

"Trust us, Gale! It will be alright!" Meryl laughs heartily.

It's still weird to listen to her laugh like that again in front of him. It's still weird that they used to kiss each other but now they can't anymore. But it's not hurting as much as Gale had expected. Yes, he missed Meryl, but he doesn't miss the activity or the memory that he had when he was together with her. He just missed Meryl in his life as his friend. And even though it's weird to see her now like there's nothing happened between them, Gale was mighty glad that she's back in his life.

His train of thought was interrupted by Finn who throws a nugget at Gale. "Just wash at the laundromat if you feel that it will impose Ben and Molly."

Gale nodded and finally close his luggage. He sits on his couch and turns on Netflix to watch something; probably Friends for the thousands of times. He just wants to have some background noise while he talks and spends some time with his best friends before hits the road tomorrow.

"Are you sure you don't want to go by plane? It'll save so much time, Gale." Finn asked.

"Yup,"

"If you're scared, we could come with you and fly back to Toronto on the same day. I wouldn't mind, Finn wouldn't mind." Meryl added.

"Yeah, she's right. We could also spend a couple of hours there to refresh before we fly back to Toronto."

Flicking through the episodes of Friends while listening to his friends, Gale slowly clutched his remote as dread blanketing him all of a sudden. It's not that he's scared to go on a plane by himself. He had done that a handful of times after the accident when he really needs to; like attending a medical conference in another country and other work-related events. But each time, he would have a panic attack after the plane landed safely. It's just unpleasant and he avoids air transportation as best as he can.

Besides, he doesn't mind going on a road trip. Ben said that Gale always likes it when he was young then. Now, he wanted to check whether he still like it or not that he got the chance to do it.

"Thanks, guys. I genuinely appreciate your offers and concerns but I set up my mind. I won't go by plane; not if I can avoid it." He said composedly.

"It'll take 38 hours to get to Golden by car, maybe more than 40 because if there’s traffic." Finn tried to establish some sense into Gale's head. "that’ll be a waste of time."

"It's not if it gives me an ease of mind. Listen," Gale said as he put down the remote and finally looking at his friends. "I’ve prepared everything already. I estimated the time and asked for 25 days leave which the board gave so easily to me. Therefore, I would use my time the way I'm comfortable with. And a road trip is what makes me comfortable. I wouldn't just go without preparing everything. I prepared myself. I already stacked loads of snacks and two jugs of water to dehydrate. They're already accommodated nicely on my passenger seat – easy to grab. I will be fine. And if I'm tired; I would pull over or get to the nearest B&B. And speaking of which, I already checked and noted every B&B I could find on the way to Golden. My car is in good condition – already checked by my mechanic at the garage. My tank is full. Everything is set, guys. Don't worry. I will enjoy this road trip and by the way, Ben and Molly approved. They had done it so many times and said it's relaxing."

At that, Finn and Meryl couldn't persuade him anymore. They relented and continue eating and talking about other things while watching Friends.

Gale Blackwell is as stubborn as a man can be. Finn and Meryl thought.

-----

I was standing in the middle of a vast landscape.

Rocky mountains surrounded me from every direction.

How glorious...

Then I walk. I don't know where my feet would take me, but I just keep on walking.

Birds flying freely up in the sky.

Trees dancing to the wind that blows toward them.

Stand tall…

Stand strong…

I stopped.

There she is.

Glancing up to the loftiest tree.

I will never get tired to say that she's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.

Ethereal creature.

The nymph of the woods.

Her back to me, her long red hair falling gracefully, and I want to tangle my fingers into those soft tendrils.

"How long will you stand there and watch me, Gale?" She says without looking at me. "Come,"

Like a sailor who was drawn by the sound of a singing siren. I am enchanted and come to her voice.

Ava's voice sounds like a song for me and I sing to it.

-----

Sweat trickling from his temple when he woke up at dawn.

Gale couldn't breathe.

Panic attack? He wonders.

Breathe, slowly, breathe...

He sat on his bed, heart hammering to his chest as he tried to control his breath.

When he finally calms down; Gale stood up and went to the kitchen to drink. He gulped a glass of cold water in a matter of seconds and stares blankly at the sink afterward. He glanced at the clock and noting that it was only four in the morning.

His mind reeling, his stomach lurching. No matter how much he drank, his throat still dry.

He washes his face on the sink. He then grips the end of the kitchen counter tightly until his knuckles turn white. He was thinking.

"Was that?" The question hanging unanswered as he utters it to the empty kitchen.

Gale walked back to his room hastily and tumbling down on his bed as his head spinning severely. He felt sick. He sat up and leaned his body on the headboard. One of his hands reaching to his bedside table to grab his phone and when he got it, he instantly opens his browser and once again type the name that has been plaguing him for years.

He was scrolling and searching until his eyes hurt and the morning light peered inside through his closed curtains – but he finds nothing that tells him it's the Ava that he's looking for.

Sighing loudly, he closed his eyes as frustrated tears streaming down his face.