The last visit

                                    

                                          
John's hand formed into a fist as he knocked on Evie's childhood home. It was January, and freezing in London. Being here felt like a vacation, an escape from the cold. It was always warmer here, and during the summer it felt like hell. But it was also why Evie was so accustomed to the heat. He felt his heart beating inside his chest, ta-da- ta-da.
                          
The door opened. "Hello." John waved as the door was opened further. The look in Etta's face, it looked like she had seen a ghost. "Etta," he told her. "Is Evie here?"
                          
Etta opened her mouth to speak but closed it. She rubbed her face and let him past. "Why don't you come inside for a cup of tea?"
                          
"Alright, then," he said. He had gotten past Etta easier than he had thought. Goodness, in a little while he would be back with Evie! He couldn't believe his luck, he was grinning. He hid his grin by coughing once, not wanting Etta to notice.
                          
"Johnny!" A voice said.
                          
He turned around and saw Flor running towards him. "Flor!" She collapsed in his arms and he held her tight, laughing. "It's so nice to see you," he ended their hug to look at her. She was taller and her hair was longer. "Goodness, look how much you've grown!"
                          
"I missed you," Flor told him.
                          
He took a step back. "You missed me?"
                          
"It's been a year!"  
                          
"A year, really?"
                          
"Uh-huh. You missed my birthday last year," she said.
                          
"Oh, I'm very sorry about that. But I'm here now, how about I give you some money and you buy yourself something nice?" He suggested. Flor shook her head. "No gift? What then?"
                          
"You're here now."
                          
"Is that enough?"
                          
"Uh-huh." Flor nodded her head.
                          
John stooped down to Flor's level, meeting her eyes. "Flor," he said. "Where is Evie?"
                          
"She's not here."
                          
"Is Evie at work?" He asked.
                          
"Evie is not here," she replied. She ran away from him, and ran up the stairs. John closed the front door. Fear began to set in his mind as he began to think of the worst possible scenario. What if something had happened to Evie?
                          
"John," Etta called him from the kitchen. John followed her voice to the kitchen. He watched as Etta poured boiling water to a cup and added a tea bag. She motioned for him to sit and he did. "How are you doing? Are you taking care of yourself?"
                          
"As well as can be expected," he replied. He poured some sugar in his tea, and stirred.
                          
"Meaning?" She asked.
                          
John looked up, setting the spoon down. He had to be more careful when speaking to Etta, and Flor for that matter. "I'm exhausted from touring. We also just released a new album," he said. He sipped his tea. "Have you heard it?"
                          
"Evie did."
                          
"Did she?" He couldn't help but feel satisfaction at the thought of Evie listening to the music he had created. He could picture her sitting down and listening to the lyrics carefully.
                          
"Run for your life was her favorite," Etta informed him. John choked on his tea. He felt his blood rush to his cheeks. "I'd rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man, is an incredibly line, John. I applaud you."
                          
The front door opened. "Mom! I forgot the onions, do you want me to run back to the store?" She asked. John sat up on his seat the sound of Evie's voice. He heard footsteps get closer to the kitchen. "No, I'm serious, it tastes so much better with lettuce."