Wendy groaned when she saw that she had burned another round of pancakes. She had been terribly distracted at work that morning. She was concerned about Trevor and she was wondering why her mother hadn't been answering her calls, but mostly her thoughts were on Peter.
Seeing him in the bakery had stirred up a wealth of memories and feelings, and it had also changed her perspective of him. Wendy had largely driven away her feelings for Peter by isolating him into a separate, irrational, impossible world. And yet, there he was, functioning in her world, and he didn't seem to be doing it for her. In those few moments of interaction she had subconsciously compared him with Ethan, and in nearly every aspect Peter had come out on top. She shook her head. She knew she was being stupid. She had already been through this, and her relationship with Ethan was just fine. And yet, the rush of emotion she felt every time she thought of Peter was a bit unnerving.
"Miss Wendy, are the pancakes supposed to be smoking?"
Wendy started. In her reverie, she hadn't noticed Trevor walk into the kitchen. She glanced back at the pancakes, which were indeed smoking.
"Okay," she said, tossing the blackened pancakes into the sink, "how about we have cereal for breakfast?"
Trevor shrugged and sat down at the table.
"Where are the others?"
"They're building a tower out of the furniture," Trevor answered glumly.
Wendy was only mildly alarmed at this report. "And don't you want to join them?"
"No, I'm trying to be more responsible."
Wendy laughed and sat down next to him. "Trevor, I appreciate that you're staying out of mischief, but you don't seem very happy."
Trevor sighed. "I'm trying to be like you."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you're always spending time with Ethan when I know you'd rather be with Peter in Neverland. You're being a grown up even though it makes you miserable, and so I'm trying to make more responsible choices too."
Wendy nearly choked. "Trevor, I-"
At that moment there was a loud crash and some wailing from the other room. She turned Trevor to face her. "Trevor, I want you to do what makes you happy." Then she gave him a quick hug and rushed down the hallway.
*****
"Didn't you think that part was funny? I couldn't stop laughing. I still can't stop laughing."
Wendy was only half listening to Ethan as she looked around her apartment. Something didn't seem right. She and Ethan had just seen a movie and had come back to her apartment for something to eat. But as Wendy rummaged through the fridge and pantry, she felt a growing sense of unease. It looked like her mother hadn't eaten any food, and she hadn't bought any new food either. Wendy thought maybe she had been eating out a lot, but that was very uncharacteristic of her.
"Is there anything edible in there?" Ethan asked, interrupting her thoughts. "I'm starving."
Wendy resolved to call her mother again later and pulled several items out of the fridge. "There's some meatloaf, a fruit salad, and some of those roasted potatoes you like so well."
"Hm. You can leave the potatoes. They're a little bland."
Wendy straightened and looked at Ethan. "You told my mother they were delicious."
"Well, yes, I was trying to get on her good side."
"So, you lied."
Ethan snorted. "It sounds so criminal when you say it like that. I altered the truth, yes."
Wendy continued to stare at him.
"Well, you don't have to look so shocked, Wendy. Everybody lies a little. It's part of growing up. It really can't be avoided."
"Unless you never grow up."
Ethan laughed. "That's impossible."
Wendy considered him for a moment and then smiled. It was as if the clouds that had been occupying her brain for the past several weeks had suddenly cleared. Her recent feelings, combined with Trevor's comments this morning and this current revelation brought her to a decision that was extremely liberating.
"Ethan, I think it's time to say goodbye."
"Oh, alright." He only seemed a little put off as he stepped out the door. He turned around and smiled at Wendy. "Shall we do dinner tomorrow evening?"
"No," she replied, shutting the door in his face.
"How about Thursday?" He called through the door.
Wendy shook her head. His tenacity was almost endearing. Almost. She opened the door again and was surprised to see a trace of worry on Ethan's face.
"Ethan, spending time with you has been lovely and enlightening, and I do thank you for everything. But if you ever stopped talking and actually got to know me, I'm fairly certain you'd discover that I'm not what you want. So no more dinners, no more movies or attractions, no more long drives in your expensive car, and no more weekends with your parents. Good luck, Ethan, and goodbye."
She shut the door on him again, a bit softer this time. There were a few seconds of silence, and then Ethan called out:
"Well, good luck trying to find someone else willing to save you from your poverty!"
She heard hit stomp off, but soon after, his footsteps approached the door again.
"I apologize, Wendy. That was uncalled for. Please give me a call if you happen to reconsider. Goodbye."
His footsteps faded and Wendy sighed. She leaned against the wall and felt a calmness she hadn't experienced in weeks.
*****
Wendy had to keep herself from running to the bakery. She had barely slept the night before, and yet she felt full of energy. She couldn't wait to see Peter, but at the same time the thought filled her with an anxiety that was almost unbearable. She had left for work half an hour early in order to stop by the bakery and see Peter, to tell him she had made a big mistake and that she wanted him to be a part of her life and her world. She hoped he would forgive her. He didn't seem like the type to hold grudges.
Wendy reached the bakery and peered in the window. She saw Peter behind the counter, talking to his blonde coworker. She was suddenly filled with irrational fear and backed away from the door. She scolded herself for being silly, took a deep breath, and looked again in the window. What she saw made her instantly nauseous. Peter and the blonde girl were kissing! All the anticipation she had felt a minute ago drained out of her. Unable to watch anymore, she turned away and ran down the street.