“Hey, Vince. It has been a while, why don’t the three of us catch up some time?” Ashley’s cheery voice on the other end of the line. She had been bugging her husband, Tony, to meet up since he moved to Quebec. Both Ashley and Tony were their friends. In fact, they are the only real friends they have.

“Well, actually Ashley, I have been thinking about that too,” grinning as the words escaped his mouth.

“Finally... I have wanted to hear that from you. I am sure Vicky would be happy to hear that too.”

“Would you have time today? Or, you can give me the best day and time I can drop by.”

“Oh! No, no. In fact, my day has ended. So, I guess it was really meant for this meeting? Why don’t you drop by my office after lunch? I will be here,” glancing through her schedule and relieved that she kept it blank. She was meant to come home early to spend some time with Tony, but she had been waiting for this opportunity to come.

“Great! I will be there after lunch.”

“And on that note, the three of us can go out after you drop by. That is if you are free tonight?”

“That sounds like a date. Call me in,” he smiled ear to ear, feeling happy for himself to spend time with people who really care for him other than his fiancee.

Ashley replied goodbye, hung up and called her husband to tell him of the fantastic news. They both agreed to meet up at 5 pm so they can tour Vince around the area and have some quiet dinner in the house. Tony was too excited to finally get the barbecue going, something that they all missed ever since Vicky passed on. Every other Friday, the four of them would have a barbecue party in their backyard, watch some movies or play board games until they get bored and wasted. “Just like the old times,” Tony grinned.

Vince felt his body washed with warmth as he hung up the phone. Going to Ashley’s place is a big move for him as he has been avoiding it as long as he can remember. He does not know if Ashley would even believe his dreams about Vicky, but it’s worth the try. But, he knew too well what Ashely would ask him to do.

He stood up, checked his clock and went outside of the cafe. He still has a few hours to spare, so he thought of stopping by his house to grab a bottle of wine he has stacked for a while. Grinning as an image of Ashley crossed his mind who will definitely freak out if she seems him unshaven, dishevelled hair and dirty clothes. He went for a quick shower and dressed up in the most decent shirt he can find in his closet. Satisfied, he went out, had a sumptuous lunch at a nearby diner and picked up flowers on his way.

Portage - Centre de jour pour adultes. “I guess I am here now. No turning back,” Vince sighs as he went inside the building. “Hi, my name is Vince Lee. Ashley Miller is waiting for me.” The girl at the reception table smiled as she escorted him to Ashley’s office.

“Vince, you’re here!” Ashley clad in a white gown, underneath a pink blouse and black pants, stood up as she wrapped her arms around Vince.

He gave him a peck on the cheek and handed her the bouquet he bought. “Yes, as promised,” he smiled at her as she led him to her office desk. “So what is this place? The signage was that in French?”

“Yes, indeed. It means Adult Addiction Rehabilitation.”

“Oh!” Vince looked sideways as he can visualize Ashley’s prying eyes. She knew though that she can’t push him to undergo treatment if he is not yet ready. Otherwise, it would just be a waste of time. Without Vicky, Vince have to do things by himself and such a decision was a big move for him.

“Don’t worry. I won’t force you to do anything you don’t like,” she goes around the table to pick up some of her things. “But, since you are here, would you want to check where I am working?”

“Okay, as long as you don’t push me inside the room,” Vince grinned.

“That might actually be a good idea,” Ashley smirked as they both stand up to check their center. Although it was mostly a French facility, they also have English speaking staff to help in the rehabilitation. Ashley stated that she enrolled herself in French class so she can accommodate more clients. He suddenly remembered Vicky, who have been wanting to learn how to speak French when she was alive.

After a round in the center, they proceeded to Ashley’s office, where she handed him a brochure, just in case he changes his mind. They sat down as her secretary came in to give them two cups of coffee.

“How are you?” Ashley asked, sipping her black coffee, resting her back on her chair.

“I am getting by,” Vince replied. He took the cup in his hand played around it for a bit before taking a sip. “You see, I have been dreaming about Vicky lately.” Ashley put down her cup, leaning closer to Vince as he listened to his story. She nodded a few times while scribbling some of the things that he said and asking questions here and then to get a big picture of his dream. Ashley is, after all, a Psychology graduate and interpreting dreams had been one of the subjects she had before, albeit that’s a few years back.

Ashley leaned back in her chair as she went through everything that Vince told her. Then she explained that the symbols that he saw in his dream have profound meaning. “If we can analyze them, you will uncover your deep secrets and true feelings. Also, if you saw a ghost in your dream, it could mean a loved one is visiting you. But, it can also mean that you have disconnected yourself from society and life.” She looked at the list again, “Or, it can also mean that you should move on with your life.”

Vince stared at her, crossing his arms as he translates what she said.

“But I am no expert. So, I have to consult our dream dictionary. I can also ask a friend who specializes in interpreting dreams for you.”

“That sounds like a plan.”

“Tell me if anything happens. You might want to keep a dream journal, too, so we can keep track of everything that you have seen.”

Both satisfied with how things go. Vince asked her to keep it a secret for the meantime. Tyler might end up more worried than before if he found out. Ashley promised.

At 4:30 pm, Tyler showed up to pick Ashley and Vince up. They went straight to their house, which was a 20-minute drive from the rehabilitation center. Vince felt at ease with the presence of these two who had been through the good and bad times. They all met five years ago when they volunteered for relief and medical missions in Tacloban, the Philippines for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Tyler and Vince were part of the armed forces while Ashley and his fiancee Vicky were relief aid from the Red Cross. After that, they met on other charitable missions that they bonded together.

Peering through the rear mirror in the car, Tyler spoke, “It is nice to see you again, Vince,” smiling behind the wheels. Ashley smiled as she reached out to touch Tyler’s arms.

“I must say so. I can see a glimpse of the old Vince,” winking as she turned her face towards Vince. “Did something good happen in the last few days?”

“Not really,” he grinned. “Hey, I bought some wine for tonight.”

Tyler’s house sits next to a hill, overlooking the vast sea. The sun is setting down on the west, casting orange, purple, and yellow hue in the sky and on the sea. Vince smiled as he tucked his hands inside his pocket, reminiscing about his home back in Nevada. It also sits next to a hill overlooking the city with such a quiet and serene view.

“Like it, eh?” Tyler patted as Vince’s shoulder as he stood next to him on their veranda.

“Yes,” he smiled.

“Come on over, can you help me up in firing the grill? Just like the old days?”

“Sure. How about Ashley? Who is helping her out?”

“Don’t worry. As soon as she heard you were coming over, she already prepared things in advance. When I got off this morning, our house was filled with all the good aroma of home cooking. I also bought her a cooker, so she doesn’t have to do all the manual cooking herself. She left it off this morning, and now everything is cooked.”

“I smell pulled pork somewhere,” Vince grinning at himself.

“Of course. That’s your favorite, isn’t it?” Tyler wrapped his arms around his shoulder. “We are just so glad to have you back, buddy.”

As the two set to make the fire, Ashley came out with the meat and veggies they are grilling. She asked them to lit the bonfire after the grill as she set the table next to it. It was a 2-story house perched on the hillside, planted with greens and trees around them. They have a vast front lawn with a barbecue grill and outdoor tables and chairs. A few meters away is around cobblestone, where you can create a bonfire with a circular chair around it. It was a place for entertaining, sit back and relax as you watch the sunset or even the moon cast a shadow on the sea. He knew that this was their dream house, and he was happy for them.

It was already 6:30 pm when they finished grilling all the meat and veggies. Ashey prepared the table with fairy lights, and the bouquet Vince picked up for her. She took out the pulled pork she had been roasting since this morning, a mushroom soup which is Vicky’s favorite, Pesto pasta, and grilled meat and veggie. When they sat, Vince jaw drop as the table was full to the brim and no way that the three of them can finish them all. The last time he had a feast like this was when he was still there, which made his eyes brimming with tears.

The evening went well as they banter around. Tyler offered Vince a job that he can do by the side while he is on a military break. It should be enough to sustain himself. They talked about the old times, careful not to breach the death of their dear Vicky. Ashely and Tyler just wanted to put the smile back on their friend’s face as he moves onto another chapter of his life.

“I met the girl who got Vicky’s eyes,” he said from out of the blue.

Tyler’s eyes widened, and Ashely’s jaw dropped as they looked at each other, turning to Vince at the same time. “Really?” they said.

“And what happened?” Ashley inquired.

“We had some coffee, and they also invited me to a Thanksgiving dinner,” Vince shrugged his shoulders. “But, you know what?”

“What?” Tyler leaned closer.

“I can still feel her around me, especially when I met the woman who has her eyes. It was like she was talking to me, reminding me of my promise to her before she passed on.”

Both Tyler and Ashley reached out to touch his hands as they knew exactly what he was talking about. They were worried but happy at the same time to see a ray of hope in Vince’s eyes.

As they parted ways, Ashley was teary-eyed, and Vince could feel a sense of relief washed him as the three of them wrapped their arms around each other. Promising each other that they are there no matter what.

Vince asked Tyler to drop him near the grocery store. They said their farewells and Tyler reminding him to give him a call for a job.

As he stepped outside of the car, he saw a familiar figure from his peripheral vision. Was that she?