Title: Commitment
Author: Sarah Y.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.
Rating: PG
Summary: Maria is still hung up on her high school crush.
Part 1
"I see Max sent you flowers again," Maria said admiring the dozen roses Liz was putting in a vase of water.
"Yes it was Max. He's so handsome, sweet, adorable, loyal..."
"You make him sound like a dog," Maria laughed.
"He's the best thing that's ever happened to me!" Liz said twirling around in here waitressing uniform.
"I know I'm just teasing you. You're really lucky to have someone like Max. I only wish I could be that lucky."
"Maria I don't understand you. We've been working together here at Louie's Bar for four years now and in all that time I've known you you've never had a serious relationship. I don't understand it. I mean you're an attractive woman."
"Liz are you coming on to me?"
"I'm being serious Maria. What's the deal? I mean your last guy Brody seemed to really like you."
"He wasn't my type."
"The man adored you. He pampered you, but you never were serious about him why?"
"Look if I tell you the truth you'll think I'm really stupid."
"No I won't. Spill."
"I know it's really stupid but in high school and later at college there was this guy who used to be like my best friend. The first time I saw him I knew I wanted him. God he was so handsome. I thought there was no way he would ever fall for Maria Deluca. Anyway we became really good friends and he was always there. He always made sure we sat next together at lunch. He always sat next to me in class. He was always there when I needed him to give me a shoulder to cry on. I always felt like he might feel the same way about me."
"Then what was the problem?"
"He never asked me out."
"I hate to tell you this but maybe he just saw you as a good friend Maria."
"I thought that too. But he never dated anyone in high school and college the whole time we were friends."
"Maybe he was gay."
"Liz!"
"I'm sorry. I'm listening."
"Anyway he was really shy. Their was no way I was ever going to ask him out I mean I was too shy too."
"You shy. The same girl that sings here every Tuesday night?"
"That's different. I feel really good about my singing it's what I love. I couldn't take it if this guy rejected me. I know it's stupid Liz but I really got the impression he liked me too and maybe even loved me but I was too shy and stupid to do anything about it. And still after all these years I can't get him off my mind."
"Does this guy have a name?" Liz asked.
"Michael Guerin."
Well what ever happened to Michael?" Liz asked her friend.
"I don't know. I mean I lost touch with him and I don't know where he is. I looked in the phone book for his name once but they only gave a phone number not an address. I mean what if he's seeing someone or worse he doesn't remember who I am? What do I say to him after all these years? Hi this is Maria Deluca I don't know if you remember me but I fell madly in love with you in high school and I compare every guy I meet to you. Oh and I wondered if maybe we could go out sometime? I don't think so. He'll think I'm a crazed stalker."
"Calm down Maria. Look you've been obsessing over this guy for years. It's time you did something about it. Either call this guy up or forget about him."
"Don't you think I've tried that Liz! I mean am I crazy? I'm obsessed with a man I never had to begin with."
"Look you two used to be best friends right?"
"Yeah," Maria sighed.
"So I'm sure he remembers you. Just call him up and say you were just thinking about high school and wanted to get in contact with some of your old friends to see how there doing. After that you can decide where to go to from there."
Maria's face perked up. "I guess I could do that." But then Maria's smile faded. "But Liz he was going to college to be an engineer and I work here in a bar. What if I'm not good enough for him?"
"So you think just because you work in a bar you're not good enough for Michael? What about me do you think because I work here I'm not good enough for Max?"
"Of course not," Maria answered.
"See your just being silly. Anyway you're going to make it big someday with that voice of yours. And then maybe he'll wonder if he's good enough for you. Now go call him. I'm not giving you a choice Maria. Here's the phone book and here's a phone. If you don't call him I'll call him up myself and tell him about my friend who has been pining away for him for 4 years."
"You wouldn't dare Liz. You would! I knew I shouldn't have given you his name. Fine I'll do it. Just let me go to the back room where I can talk in private. Wait what if he's not home? What if he is? I can't do this Liz!"
Liz grabbed the phone book from Maria. "Guerin starts with a G-U doesn't it?"
"I'm going!" Maria said grabbing the phone book from Liz and walked to the back room. It was now or never to find out what exactly became of Michael.
Maria dialed Michael's number. She let it ring once and then lost her nerve and hung up. "Maria just call him. You have to do this for your own sanity or your never going to get over him," Maria thought. She finally dialed his number. She let it ring nine times. *Great I've been stressing about this call and he's not even home.* Just when she was about to put the phone down she heard someone say hello.
"Hello," the voice said again. It was a female voice.
*It's okay Maria maybe she's just a cleaning lady. I mean if he's an engineer he's rich and can afford someone to clean his house.*
"Hello. Is someone there?" the woman asked again.
"Can I speak to Michael Guerin?" Maria finally asked.
"He's not here at the moment. This is his wife speaking. May I take a message?"
Maria's heart sank. "No that's alright. I'll call back later," Maria lied chocking back the tears she was about to shed. Maria hung up the phone and started to cry.
Liz strolled into the back room ready to tease her best friend about making the call when she saw Maria in tears. She rushed over and put her arms around her. "What happened Maria?"
"He's married Liz. I'm so stupid. I wasted all these years on a dream. I kept thinking I would find him someday and he would tell me he loved me too and that he still thought of me all these years but he hasn't. He loves someone else and is happy without me." After crying for a few minutes Maria pulled away from Liz's hug and wiped her own tears off. "I'm sorry Liz. You must think I'm a complete idiot now."
"No I don't Maria. As bad as you feel right now it's better that you know now."
"I'm not so sure. I mean before I called him I still could dream that one day we would get together but now I know that's never going to happen."
"Maria you'll meet someone someday that you'll fall in love with and forget all about Michael."
"I don't know Liz. I hope so. If I'm ever going to be happy I have to stop thinking about him."
[A few weeks later Maria and Liz were serving drinks at Louie's]
"So how did your date go with Matt last night?" Liz asked her friend.
"I don't think it's going to work out. We just didn't click."
"Are you really giving it a chance Maria? Maybe you should give him another try. I mean first dates are awkward and they don't always go perfectly."
"I guess your right. I mean he's a really nice guy."
"So are you ready for your big night next week?" Liz said referring to the show Maria was going to be putting on.
"I'm kind of nervous. I've written some new songs and I hope everybody likes it. It was great of Louie to give me an hour to sing instead of just the ten minutes he usually gives me."
"It's good for business. I mean you a wonderful singer and everyone will be breaking down the doors to hear you sing."
"Thank you for the vote of confidence but I don't think I'm that..." Maria was caught off guard to see a couple walking past her to go to the dance floor. She didn't know how she missed seeing the couple before after all they certainly stuck out.
"What's a matter Maria," Liz said noticing Maria's wondering eyes.
"Oh my God Liz. That's Michael and that must be his wife he's dancing with."
"Where? I want to see this hunk of a man your so in love with."
Maria pointed to a couple on the dance floor.
"Who?" Liz asked confused to who she was pointing too.
"That guy wearing the Metallica shirt," Maria replied.
"This is a joke right?"
"No."
Liz started laughing so hard that several customers looked over at Liz like she was crazy. Maria jabbed Liz in the arm. "What?" Liz asked stopping herself from laughing trying to be serious and failing miserably. She started laughing again.
"It's not funny Liz. Anyway he didn't used to look like that."
Maria couldn't believe it was the same man she fell in love with so long ago. The Michael she remembered had short spiky brown hair, muscular frame, and while Michael sometimes wore leather he never dressed as the man she saw before her. This Michael had a Mohawk; lip, ear, eyebrow, and who knows where else piercings. He had tattoos that covered his arms and chains that hung from his torn jeans. The woman he was with had to be his wife the way they were sucking each other's faces. The woman was a tall blond who had short wavy hair and strange tattoos coving her arms. The two of them looked like punks.
"Gross!" Liz said after seeing the display between the couple. "Maria you defiantly are better off without him."
"I just can't believe that's the same Michael I went to High School with. He went to college to be an engineer. How could he have changed this much over the years?"
"Maybe he went psycho after pining away years for you too."
"Funny Liz. Shouldn't they get a room?" She said noticing the way Michael slipped his hand up his wife's shirt.
Just then Michael and his wife started walking out of the bar never losing contact with each other. "I think that's what they're going to do," Liz answered.
Over the next few days Maria tried to forget about Michael. She still couldn't understand how one man had changed so much over four years. They were best friends she couldn't imagine what had happened to him to make him act like that. On her way home from work that night Maria stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few items she needed. She was still wearing her skimpy uniform she was required to wear at work. It was a black skirt that was way to high for her taste with a low cut black shirt. Maria hated that she had to dress like that for work but she promised herself she wouldn't work there for the rest of her life. Maria grabbed her items and went to the checkout lane. She noticed a Cosmopolitan magazine with Madonna on the cover. She grabbed the magazine off the rack and started reading the front cover. Her eyes stuck on the phase "99 things to do with a naked man." *Yeah right Deluca. Like you have anyone to test it out on.* She started to put the magazine back when she lost her balance and dropped her grocery's.
Michael's wife had called him on the way home from work and asked him to pick up some milk from the store. He quickly went to the back of the store, grabbed the milk, and then went to pay for it. There was only one lane open. Michael's head turned to mush as he noticed the woman standing in front of him. He looked at her silky long blond hair and her milky long legs that he was dying to touch to see if her skin was as soft as it appeared to be. Michael's attention then turned to the magazine the woman was holding. "99 things to do with a naked man. I'd defiantly let her have her way with my naked body. Get a grip Guerin you're a married man. You can look but not touch," Michael thought.
Just then he noticed the woman drop her groceries as she went to put the magazine back on the rack. When she bent down to pick the grocery's up he noticed her short skirt raising just a tad. After admiring her ass for a few seconds Michael shook his head trying to clear it of his perverted thoughts. He finally leaned down to help the woman pick her stuff up. His hand brushed hers and he felt a shiver run through his body. They both started to stand. "Thank you," Maria said when she finally looked up at the man who had helped her. "Michael?"
"Maria?"
Maria was shocked to see Michael. The man in front of her looked just like the Michael she knew from high school. The only difference was his hair was longer and straight, not spiky. He was still as handsome as she remembered if not even more handsome. "How is this possible Maria asked?"
"Maria Deluca? Is it really you?" *My Maria. She's even more beautiful than I remembered. I can't believe she's actually standing here in front of me,* he thought.
In school Michael had always wanted to be more than a friend to her but Maria never gave him any hint that she felt the same. He was just a friend to her. She always told him how lucky she was to have a friend like him. God how Michael came to hate the word friend. It sliced through his heart every time she said that word to him.
"Michael this doesn't make any sense," Maria said breaking him from his thoughts. All he could do was watch her lips move.
"What?"
"Michael I saw you the other day at the bar I work at. But you looked different. You had a Mohawk and nose peircings..."
"You must have seen Rath."
"Who?"
"He's my twin brother."
"I didn't even know you had a brother," Maria said remembering their talks from high school.
"I didn't either up until a year ago. It seems my brother was given up for adoption when we were born. My mom finally told me before she died and I found him on my own."
"I'm sorry about your mother."
"Thanks."
"So who was that woman with Rath? She also had piercings and tattoos."
"You must have seen him with Lonnie. Did they get a little out of control? Those two can't seem to keep their hands off each other and they don't seem to mind who sees them," Michael asked.
"They left before it got too heated between them. But anyway that was Rath, Thank god because Liz thought I was crazy when I told her I much I Lo..." Maria said before catching herself. "I mean Liz thought it was crazy that I could have been friends with someone who looked like, I mean..."
"Dresses like a punk. I know it's confusing how we both are so different but have the same blood. So you work in a bar?"
"Yes but I'm hoping to find something better," Maria said suddenly embarrassed by her life again and feeling inadequate. "What about you?"
"I work at Berry's. It's an engineering plant in Roswell. I don't know if you've heard of it."
"Yes I have. So do you and your wife have any children?" *Please say no* Maria prayed.
"Almost four years and no we don't have any children. Wait how did you know I was married?" Michael asked scratching his forehead.
Maria thought quickly. She couldn't tell him she had called his house. "Uh I saw your wedding ring," Maria said pointing to his hand. *He's been married for almost four years. He must have met her a little bit after we lost touch. He certainly got over me quickly if he did have any feelings for me.*
"So are you married?" Michael asked. *Please say no, please say no.*
"No, it's just me and my cat Spicy," Maria answered.
*Thank you. There is a God. Wait I'm happy that Maria's lonely. I'm such a jerk. A very married jerk.*
"Miss it's your turn," the cashier said to Maria. She put her items down and paid for them.
"Well it was nice to see you again," Maria said turning to Michael and smiling.
"It was good to see you too. Goodbye," Michael said as he watched Maria walk out of his life again.
"So tell me once again where were going to a bar without naked chicks to celebrate your birthday?" Kyle asked Max.
Michael was driving and Max and Kyle were in the back seat.
"Liz couldn't get off from work and I wanted to be with her. Besides her good friend is singing tonight and Liz asked me to come hear her."
"You're so whipped Evans. Your awfully quiet Michael," Kyle said turning to his friend in the car.
"I have a lot to think about," Michael said turning his attention back to the road.
The men finally arrived. "We're here. Louise's bar," Kyle said looking at the sign.
"I've never been here before," Michael commented.
"That's because your wife never lets you out of the house to have fun," Kyle said.
The men went inside and found a table.
"Have you seen Liz?" Max asked a waitress walking by.
"She's not due here for another thirty minutes," The waitress replied.
The men ordered a round of drinks. "So Michael are you ever going to tell us what's wrong with you?" Max asked his friend.
Michael didn't want to talk about it but he knew Max being the sensitive guy he was would not leave him alone until he spilled his guts. "I saw her again a few days ago."
"Who?" Kyle asked.
"Maria Deluca."
"Michael I can't believe your still hung up on that chick. Get over once and for all. Your like some sappy romance novel," Kyle muttered.
"Look it's not that easy. I don't want to feel this way."
"Why didn't you just ask this girl out in high school?" Max asked.
"Because she only thought of me as a friend. She never gave me any indication she liked me."
"If you were so in love with this girl why did you marry Jenny?"
"You know why I married her Kyle. She got pregnant. I was drunk that night at a party. It was stupid."
"But after she lost the baby you could have gotten a divorce," Kyle replied.
"I couldn't just dump her after she lost our child!"
"So what did Maria say when you saw here. Is she married?" Max asked trying to change the subject from the painful one about the miscarriage.
""She's not married. I got the feeling that she's lonely."
"Well look if you still like this Maria so much why don't you just sleep with her? It's not like married men don't do it all the time," Kyle suggested.
"Shut up Kyle!" Max yelled.
"Look all I'm saying is that if you like this girl so much why don't you see if she's willing. I mean maybe she is lonely and wants to spend the night with you. I mean you can find out what you missed out on and you don't have to ruin your marriage," Kyle added.
"I can't do that. I made a commitment to my wife. I made a promise to her that day we stood up in the church and said I do."
"But you don't love her. Do you?" Kyle asked.
"Yes I do."
"Are you in love with Jenny?" Max asked.
"No. I never have been. I don't want to talk about this anymore. We're supposed to be celebrating Max's birthday. Just let me get loaded tonight and then I can put this whole thing behind me. I mean I'll never see her again and we can't be together even if she wanted to."
"Max!" Liz said running into Max's arms. "I'm so glad you're here!" she smiled. After giving Liz a quick kiss he started to introduce his friends. "This is Kyle," Max said pointing to his friend "and this is..."
"Michael?" Liz asked.
"How did you know my name?" Michael asked not recognizing Liz.
"My friend Maria..." she started.
"Ladies and Gentleman I want to introduce our own very lovely lady Maria Deluca. She's going to sing for you tonight so please give her your undivided attention," a man said from the stage.
Everyone's eyes turned to Maria including Michael who was stunned. He remembered Maria saying she worked at a bar but what were the odds he would end up here?
When Maria stepped out onto stage Michael lost his breath. She was wearing a purple spaghetti strapped sequined dress that reached the floor. There were slits cut up to her thighs on both sides showing her perfect legs when she moved. Maria had her long blonde hair with silky curls in it. He remembered in high school her hair was cut short and straight.
Maria took the microphone from the man and started to speak. "I want to thank Louie for giving me the stage tonight. I've written a few new songs I'm going to sing for you tonight but first I wanted to start off with a song written by the group Slaughter. I hope you like it. It's called Real Love. I think we can all relate." Maria began to sing.
I lie awake in the morning light
No one to hold
Another sleepless night
'Cause it's over now that you've left me
Oh so lonely
Oh, I hear it calling
Oh, I hear it calling
Real love
Won't somebody show me
Real love
Isn't anyone true anymore
Real love
Won't somebody show me
Real love
Oh, where are you
All through my life
I've been feelin' down
Searchin' to find
I'm lost and not found
There's gotta be someone
Someone who understands me
Oh, I hear it calling
Oh, I hear it calling
Real love
Won't somebody show me
Real love
Isn't anyone true anymore
Real love
Won't somebody show me
Real love
Oh, where are you
Maria finished the song and reached behind her to get a drink of water before the next song.
"Damn Michael. I know you said you liked this girl in high school but you we're holding back on me. She is hot! You defiantly need to screw this woman," Kyle said out loud.
Michael who took a break from looking at Maria turned his head to his friend. "Kyle I'm warning you not to talk about Maria like that. I can't get involved with Maria. She's not the kind of person you have an affair with. She's the kind of girl you marry."
"But your already married Michael."
"I know that Max. I could never use Maria like that. She deserves better."
Michael's table was quiet as they listened to Maria sing her next song.
Lookin' back on time, Ooh we had it made
Together we had the world, Just you and I
It begins to fade, Now I spend my time
Wishin' you were here with me, Oh I wanna tell you now
Just look into my eyes
You are the one, The one I need
To make my dreams come true, Oh you should know
I love you so, And I can't go on without you
I walk the streets alone, Starin' into space
Ah you never told me, Why can't we talk it out,
All of these lonely nights, I lie awake waiting for you
Just waiting for you, Won't you come back for me
And let my fantasy come true, Just me and you
You know you make My dreams come true,
You are the one, Anytime day or night
You know it's alright with me,
"I'm going to take a short break now but I'll be back in a few minutes. Thanks for being such a great audience," Maria announced.
Liz ran up on stage to see her friend and give her a hug. "You were spectacular Maria. The crowd loves you."
"Do you really think they liked it?"
"Look at the crowd Maria. You know this is the most people we've ever had in this bar at one time. They came to see you. They love you."
"Thanks Liz. You always know what to say to calm my nerves."
"Maria, Max is here and I want you to meet his friends." Liz started dragging her friend to Max's table before she could protest. Maria grabbed onto Liz's arm for support when she saw Michael sitting there. "Maria this is Max, Kyle, and I believe you know Michael already," Liz said inducing them.
"Hi it's nice to see you again," Maria said trying to fake a smile toward Michael.
"You have a beautiful voice Maria."
"Thanks Max. I'm glad you liked it."
"Oh we more than liked it Maria. Michael forgot to mentioned how breathtakingly beautiful you are Maria. If I had known I would have frequented this bar everyday just to look at you," Kyle said flashing Maria a smile.
Maria smiled trying to be polite. But she couldn't handle seeing Michael tonight. Not like this. "Thanks, uh I need to go to the ladies room before I go back to stage," Maria said taking off in the other direction before anyone could protest. Maria locked herself in the bathroom and started crying.
Liz could tell how upset her friend was and followed her. After finding the bathroom door locked she knocked.
"Just a minute," Maria called not recognizing the voice. She went over and unlocked the door and started throwing water on her face in the sink. When she picked her head up she saw Liz's face in the mirror. "Liz I'm going to kill you. How could you bring me to his table?"
"I'm sorry Maria, I should have warned you but I wanted you to meet Max. I love him and I wanted him to meet my best friend."
Maria's anger died down. "I still wish you would have told me. How can I go back on stage knowing he's out there?"
"You're going to be fine. You're a professional. Anyway isn't heartache supposed to give you an edge?"
"That's what they say but I would rather live without the pain."
(Back at the men's table.)
"What the hell was that all about?" Michael said practically screaming at Kyle.
"What?"
"You were totally flirting with Maria! My Maria!"
"You don't own her Michael. You said so yourself you two can't be together so she's going to find someone else eventually. Did you look at her Michael? Did you see the way the other men in the bar were looking at her? She had every female in the place pissed at their boyfriends for staring. She's someone that won't be lonely for too long."
"Michael felt his heart clench. He had been to wrapped up in listening to Maria sing to notice the lustful stares the other men had been giving her but it was obvious that other men found Maria extremely attractive. And why wouldn't they? He had no claim over her. Michael couldn't take it anymore and so he finally got up and walked out of the bar before Maria arrived back on stage.
Before taking the microphone again Maria scanned the crowd for Michael's table. She saw he was gone. Instead of the enormous relief Maria had been expecting by his leaving she felt even more ill at ease. *He didn't even want to hear me finish my set. God I'm so stupid. What did you expect Maria? He's not going to leave his wife for you. You have to get over him and move on. Look at the men out there. Surely there's a guy here that would want you. Hey was Kyle flirting with me?*
TBC...
Author: Sarah Y.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.
Rating: PG
Summary: Maria is still hung up on her high school crush.
Part 1
"I see Max sent you flowers again," Maria said admiring the dozen roses Liz was putting in a vase of water.
"Yes it was Max. He's so handsome, sweet, adorable, loyal..."
"You make him sound like a dog," Maria laughed.
"He's the best thing that's ever happened to me!" Liz said twirling around in here waitressing uniform.
"I know I'm just teasing you. You're really lucky to have someone like Max. I only wish I could be that lucky."
"Maria I don't understand you. We've been working together here at Louie's Bar for four years now and in all that time I've known you you've never had a serious relationship. I don't understand it. I mean you're an attractive woman."
"Liz are you coming on to me?"
"I'm being serious Maria. What's the deal? I mean your last guy Brody seemed to really like you."
"He wasn't my type."
"The man adored you. He pampered you, but you never were serious about him why?"
"Look if I tell you the truth you'll think I'm really stupid."
"No I won't. Spill."
"I know it's really stupid but in high school and later at college there was this guy who used to be like my best friend. The first time I saw him I knew I wanted him. God he was so handsome. I thought there was no way he would ever fall for Maria Deluca. Anyway we became really good friends and he was always there. He always made sure we sat next together at lunch. He always sat next to me in class. He was always there when I needed him to give me a shoulder to cry on. I always felt like he might feel the same way about me."
"Then what was the problem?"
"He never asked me out."
"I hate to tell you this but maybe he just saw you as a good friend Maria."
"I thought that too. But he never dated anyone in high school and college the whole time we were friends."
"Maybe he was gay."
"Liz!"
"I'm sorry. I'm listening."
"Anyway he was really shy. Their was no way I was ever going to ask him out I mean I was too shy too."
"You shy. The same girl that sings here every Tuesday night?"
"That's different. I feel really good about my singing it's what I love. I couldn't take it if this guy rejected me. I know it's stupid Liz but I really got the impression he liked me too and maybe even loved me but I was too shy and stupid to do anything about it. And still after all these years I can't get him off my mind."
"Does this guy have a name?" Liz asked.
"Michael Guerin."
Well what ever happened to Michael?" Liz asked her friend.
"I don't know. I mean I lost touch with him and I don't know where he is. I looked in the phone book for his name once but they only gave a phone number not an address. I mean what if he's seeing someone or worse he doesn't remember who I am? What do I say to him after all these years? Hi this is Maria Deluca I don't know if you remember me but I fell madly in love with you in high school and I compare every guy I meet to you. Oh and I wondered if maybe we could go out sometime? I don't think so. He'll think I'm a crazed stalker."
"Calm down Maria. Look you've been obsessing over this guy for years. It's time you did something about it. Either call this guy up or forget about him."
"Don't you think I've tried that Liz! I mean am I crazy? I'm obsessed with a man I never had to begin with."
"Look you two used to be best friends right?"
"Yeah," Maria sighed.
"So I'm sure he remembers you. Just call him up and say you were just thinking about high school and wanted to get in contact with some of your old friends to see how there doing. After that you can decide where to go to from there."
Maria's face perked up. "I guess I could do that." But then Maria's smile faded. "But Liz he was going to college to be an engineer and I work here in a bar. What if I'm not good enough for him?"
"So you think just because you work in a bar you're not good enough for Michael? What about me do you think because I work here I'm not good enough for Max?"
"Of course not," Maria answered.
"See your just being silly. Anyway you're going to make it big someday with that voice of yours. And then maybe he'll wonder if he's good enough for you. Now go call him. I'm not giving you a choice Maria. Here's the phone book and here's a phone. If you don't call him I'll call him up myself and tell him about my friend who has been pining away for him for 4 years."
"You wouldn't dare Liz. You would! I knew I shouldn't have given you his name. Fine I'll do it. Just let me go to the back room where I can talk in private. Wait what if he's not home? What if he is? I can't do this Liz!"
Liz grabbed the phone book from Maria. "Guerin starts with a G-U doesn't it?"
"I'm going!" Maria said grabbing the phone book from Liz and walked to the back room. It was now or never to find out what exactly became of Michael.
Maria dialed Michael's number. She let it ring once and then lost her nerve and hung up. "Maria just call him. You have to do this for your own sanity or your never going to get over him," Maria thought. She finally dialed his number. She let it ring nine times. *Great I've been stressing about this call and he's not even home.* Just when she was about to put the phone down she heard someone say hello.
"Hello," the voice said again. It was a female voice.
*It's okay Maria maybe she's just a cleaning lady. I mean if he's an engineer he's rich and can afford someone to clean his house.*
"Hello. Is someone there?" the woman asked again.
"Can I speak to Michael Guerin?" Maria finally asked.
"He's not here at the moment. This is his wife speaking. May I take a message?"
Maria's heart sank. "No that's alright. I'll call back later," Maria lied chocking back the tears she was about to shed. Maria hung up the phone and started to cry.
Liz strolled into the back room ready to tease her best friend about making the call when she saw Maria in tears. She rushed over and put her arms around her. "What happened Maria?"
"He's married Liz. I'm so stupid. I wasted all these years on a dream. I kept thinking I would find him someday and he would tell me he loved me too and that he still thought of me all these years but he hasn't. He loves someone else and is happy without me." After crying for a few minutes Maria pulled away from Liz's hug and wiped her own tears off. "I'm sorry Liz. You must think I'm a complete idiot now."
"No I don't Maria. As bad as you feel right now it's better that you know now."
"I'm not so sure. I mean before I called him I still could dream that one day we would get together but now I know that's never going to happen."
"Maria you'll meet someone someday that you'll fall in love with and forget all about Michael."
"I don't know Liz. I hope so. If I'm ever going to be happy I have to stop thinking about him."
[A few weeks later Maria and Liz were serving drinks at Louie's]
"So how did your date go with Matt last night?" Liz asked her friend.
"I don't think it's going to work out. We just didn't click."
"Are you really giving it a chance Maria? Maybe you should give him another try. I mean first dates are awkward and they don't always go perfectly."
"I guess your right. I mean he's a really nice guy."
"So are you ready for your big night next week?" Liz said referring to the show Maria was going to be putting on.
"I'm kind of nervous. I've written some new songs and I hope everybody likes it. It was great of Louie to give me an hour to sing instead of just the ten minutes he usually gives me."
"It's good for business. I mean you a wonderful singer and everyone will be breaking down the doors to hear you sing."
"Thank you for the vote of confidence but I don't think I'm that..." Maria was caught off guard to see a couple walking past her to go to the dance floor. She didn't know how she missed seeing the couple before after all they certainly stuck out.
"What's a matter Maria," Liz said noticing Maria's wondering eyes.
"Oh my God Liz. That's Michael and that must be his wife he's dancing with."
"Where? I want to see this hunk of a man your so in love with."
Maria pointed to a couple on the dance floor.
"Who?" Liz asked confused to who she was pointing too.
"That guy wearing the Metallica shirt," Maria replied.
"This is a joke right?"
"No."
Liz started laughing so hard that several customers looked over at Liz like she was crazy. Maria jabbed Liz in the arm. "What?" Liz asked stopping herself from laughing trying to be serious and failing miserably. She started laughing again.
"It's not funny Liz. Anyway he didn't used to look like that."
Maria couldn't believe it was the same man she fell in love with so long ago. The Michael she remembered had short spiky brown hair, muscular frame, and while Michael sometimes wore leather he never dressed as the man she saw before her. This Michael had a Mohawk; lip, ear, eyebrow, and who knows where else piercings. He had tattoos that covered his arms and chains that hung from his torn jeans. The woman he was with had to be his wife the way they were sucking each other's faces. The woman was a tall blond who had short wavy hair and strange tattoos coving her arms. The two of them looked like punks.
"Gross!" Liz said after seeing the display between the couple. "Maria you defiantly are better off without him."
"I just can't believe that's the same Michael I went to High School with. He went to college to be an engineer. How could he have changed this much over the years?"
"Maybe he went psycho after pining away years for you too."
"Funny Liz. Shouldn't they get a room?" She said noticing the way Michael slipped his hand up his wife's shirt.
Just then Michael and his wife started walking out of the bar never losing contact with each other. "I think that's what they're going to do," Liz answered.
Over the next few days Maria tried to forget about Michael. She still couldn't understand how one man had changed so much over four years. They were best friends she couldn't imagine what had happened to him to make him act like that. On her way home from work that night Maria stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few items she needed. She was still wearing her skimpy uniform she was required to wear at work. It was a black skirt that was way to high for her taste with a low cut black shirt. Maria hated that she had to dress like that for work but she promised herself she wouldn't work there for the rest of her life. Maria grabbed her items and went to the checkout lane. She noticed a Cosmopolitan magazine with Madonna on the cover. She grabbed the magazine off the rack and started reading the front cover. Her eyes stuck on the phase "99 things to do with a naked man." *Yeah right Deluca. Like you have anyone to test it out on.* She started to put the magazine back when she lost her balance and dropped her grocery's.
Michael's wife had called him on the way home from work and asked him to pick up some milk from the store. He quickly went to the back of the store, grabbed the milk, and then went to pay for it. There was only one lane open. Michael's head turned to mush as he noticed the woman standing in front of him. He looked at her silky long blond hair and her milky long legs that he was dying to touch to see if her skin was as soft as it appeared to be. Michael's attention then turned to the magazine the woman was holding. "99 things to do with a naked man. I'd defiantly let her have her way with my naked body. Get a grip Guerin you're a married man. You can look but not touch," Michael thought.
Just then he noticed the woman drop her groceries as she went to put the magazine back on the rack. When she bent down to pick the grocery's up he noticed her short skirt raising just a tad. After admiring her ass for a few seconds Michael shook his head trying to clear it of his perverted thoughts. He finally leaned down to help the woman pick her stuff up. His hand brushed hers and he felt a shiver run through his body. They both started to stand. "Thank you," Maria said when she finally looked up at the man who had helped her. "Michael?"
"Maria?"
Maria was shocked to see Michael. The man in front of her looked just like the Michael she knew from high school. The only difference was his hair was longer and straight, not spiky. He was still as handsome as she remembered if not even more handsome. "How is this possible Maria asked?"
"Maria Deluca? Is it really you?" *My Maria. She's even more beautiful than I remembered. I can't believe she's actually standing here in front of me,* he thought.
In school Michael had always wanted to be more than a friend to her but Maria never gave him any hint that she felt the same. He was just a friend to her. She always told him how lucky she was to have a friend like him. God how Michael came to hate the word friend. It sliced through his heart every time she said that word to him.
"Michael this doesn't make any sense," Maria said breaking him from his thoughts. All he could do was watch her lips move.
"What?"
"Michael I saw you the other day at the bar I work at. But you looked different. You had a Mohawk and nose peircings..."
"You must have seen Rath."
"Who?"
"He's my twin brother."
"I didn't even know you had a brother," Maria said remembering their talks from high school.
"I didn't either up until a year ago. It seems my brother was given up for adoption when we were born. My mom finally told me before she died and I found him on my own."
"I'm sorry about your mother."
"Thanks."
"So who was that woman with Rath? She also had piercings and tattoos."
"You must have seen him with Lonnie. Did they get a little out of control? Those two can't seem to keep their hands off each other and they don't seem to mind who sees them," Michael asked.
"They left before it got too heated between them. But anyway that was Rath, Thank god because Liz thought I was crazy when I told her I much I Lo..." Maria said before catching herself. "I mean Liz thought it was crazy that I could have been friends with someone who looked like, I mean..."
"Dresses like a punk. I know it's confusing how we both are so different but have the same blood. So you work in a bar?"
"Yes but I'm hoping to find something better," Maria said suddenly embarrassed by her life again and feeling inadequate. "What about you?"
"I work at Berry's. It's an engineering plant in Roswell. I don't know if you've heard of it."
"Yes I have. So do you and your wife have any children?" *Please say no* Maria prayed.
"Almost four years and no we don't have any children. Wait how did you know I was married?" Michael asked scratching his forehead.
Maria thought quickly. She couldn't tell him she had called his house. "Uh I saw your wedding ring," Maria said pointing to his hand. *He's been married for almost four years. He must have met her a little bit after we lost touch. He certainly got over me quickly if he did have any feelings for me.*
"So are you married?" Michael asked. *Please say no, please say no.*
"No, it's just me and my cat Spicy," Maria answered.
*Thank you. There is a God. Wait I'm happy that Maria's lonely. I'm such a jerk. A very married jerk.*
"Miss it's your turn," the cashier said to Maria. She put her items down and paid for them.
"Well it was nice to see you again," Maria said turning to Michael and smiling.
"It was good to see you too. Goodbye," Michael said as he watched Maria walk out of his life again.
"So tell me once again where were going to a bar without naked chicks to celebrate your birthday?" Kyle asked Max.
Michael was driving and Max and Kyle were in the back seat.
"Liz couldn't get off from work and I wanted to be with her. Besides her good friend is singing tonight and Liz asked me to come hear her."
"You're so whipped Evans. Your awfully quiet Michael," Kyle said turning to his friend in the car.
"I have a lot to think about," Michael said turning his attention back to the road.
The men finally arrived. "We're here. Louise's bar," Kyle said looking at the sign.
"I've never been here before," Michael commented.
"That's because your wife never lets you out of the house to have fun," Kyle said.
The men went inside and found a table.
"Have you seen Liz?" Max asked a waitress walking by.
"She's not due here for another thirty minutes," The waitress replied.
The men ordered a round of drinks. "So Michael are you ever going to tell us what's wrong with you?" Max asked his friend.
Michael didn't want to talk about it but he knew Max being the sensitive guy he was would not leave him alone until he spilled his guts. "I saw her again a few days ago."
"Who?" Kyle asked.
"Maria Deluca."
"Michael I can't believe your still hung up on that chick. Get over once and for all. Your like some sappy romance novel," Kyle muttered.
"Look it's not that easy. I don't want to feel this way."
"Why didn't you just ask this girl out in high school?" Max asked.
"Because she only thought of me as a friend. She never gave me any indication she liked me."
"If you were so in love with this girl why did you marry Jenny?"
"You know why I married her Kyle. She got pregnant. I was drunk that night at a party. It was stupid."
"But after she lost the baby you could have gotten a divorce," Kyle replied.
"I couldn't just dump her after she lost our child!"
"So what did Maria say when you saw here. Is she married?" Max asked trying to change the subject from the painful one about the miscarriage.
""She's not married. I got the feeling that she's lonely."
"Well look if you still like this Maria so much why don't you just sleep with her? It's not like married men don't do it all the time," Kyle suggested.
"Shut up Kyle!" Max yelled.
"Look all I'm saying is that if you like this girl so much why don't you see if she's willing. I mean maybe she is lonely and wants to spend the night with you. I mean you can find out what you missed out on and you don't have to ruin your marriage," Kyle added.
"I can't do that. I made a commitment to my wife. I made a promise to her that day we stood up in the church and said I do."
"But you don't love her. Do you?" Kyle asked.
"Yes I do."
"Are you in love with Jenny?" Max asked.
"No. I never have been. I don't want to talk about this anymore. We're supposed to be celebrating Max's birthday. Just let me get loaded tonight and then I can put this whole thing behind me. I mean I'll never see her again and we can't be together even if she wanted to."
"Max!" Liz said running into Max's arms. "I'm so glad you're here!" she smiled. After giving Liz a quick kiss he started to introduce his friends. "This is Kyle," Max said pointing to his friend "and this is..."
"Michael?" Liz asked.
"How did you know my name?" Michael asked not recognizing Liz.
"My friend Maria..." she started.
"Ladies and Gentleman I want to introduce our own very lovely lady Maria Deluca. She's going to sing for you tonight so please give her your undivided attention," a man said from the stage.
Everyone's eyes turned to Maria including Michael who was stunned. He remembered Maria saying she worked at a bar but what were the odds he would end up here?
When Maria stepped out onto stage Michael lost his breath. She was wearing a purple spaghetti strapped sequined dress that reached the floor. There were slits cut up to her thighs on both sides showing her perfect legs when she moved. Maria had her long blonde hair with silky curls in it. He remembered in high school her hair was cut short and straight.
Maria took the microphone from the man and started to speak. "I want to thank Louie for giving me the stage tonight. I've written a few new songs I'm going to sing for you tonight but first I wanted to start off with a song written by the group Slaughter. I hope you like it. It's called Real Love. I think we can all relate." Maria began to sing.
I lie awake in the morning light
No one to hold
Another sleepless night
'Cause it's over now that you've left me
Oh so lonely
Oh, I hear it calling
Oh, I hear it calling
Real love
Won't somebody show me
Real love
Isn't anyone true anymore
Real love
Won't somebody show me
Real love
Oh, where are you
All through my life
I've been feelin' down
Searchin' to find
I'm lost and not found
There's gotta be someone
Someone who understands me
Oh, I hear it calling
Oh, I hear it calling
Real love
Won't somebody show me
Real love
Isn't anyone true anymore
Real love
Won't somebody show me
Real love
Oh, where are you
Maria finished the song and reached behind her to get a drink of water before the next song.
"Damn Michael. I know you said you liked this girl in high school but you we're holding back on me. She is hot! You defiantly need to screw this woman," Kyle said out loud.
Michael who took a break from looking at Maria turned his head to his friend. "Kyle I'm warning you not to talk about Maria like that. I can't get involved with Maria. She's not the kind of person you have an affair with. She's the kind of girl you marry."
"But your already married Michael."
"I know that Max. I could never use Maria like that. She deserves better."
Michael's table was quiet as they listened to Maria sing her next song.
Lookin' back on time, Ooh we had it made
Together we had the world, Just you and I
It begins to fade, Now I spend my time
Wishin' you were here with me, Oh I wanna tell you now
Just look into my eyes
You are the one, The one I need
To make my dreams come true, Oh you should know
I love you so, And I can't go on without you
I walk the streets alone, Starin' into space
Ah you never told me, Why can't we talk it out,
All of these lonely nights, I lie awake waiting for you
Just waiting for you, Won't you come back for me
And let my fantasy come true, Just me and you
You know you make My dreams come true,
You are the one, Anytime day or night
You know it's alright with me,
"I'm going to take a short break now but I'll be back in a few minutes. Thanks for being such a great audience," Maria announced.
Liz ran up on stage to see her friend and give her a hug. "You were spectacular Maria. The crowd loves you."
"Do you really think they liked it?"
"Look at the crowd Maria. You know this is the most people we've ever had in this bar at one time. They came to see you. They love you."
"Thanks Liz. You always know what to say to calm my nerves."
"Maria, Max is here and I want you to meet his friends." Liz started dragging her friend to Max's table before she could protest. Maria grabbed onto Liz's arm for support when she saw Michael sitting there. "Maria this is Max, Kyle, and I believe you know Michael already," Liz said inducing them.
"Hi it's nice to see you again," Maria said trying to fake a smile toward Michael.
"You have a beautiful voice Maria."
"Thanks Max. I'm glad you liked it."
"Oh we more than liked it Maria. Michael forgot to mentioned how breathtakingly beautiful you are Maria. If I had known I would have frequented this bar everyday just to look at you," Kyle said flashing Maria a smile.
Maria smiled trying to be polite. But she couldn't handle seeing Michael tonight. Not like this. "Thanks, uh I need to go to the ladies room before I go back to stage," Maria said taking off in the other direction before anyone could protest. Maria locked herself in the bathroom and started crying.
Liz could tell how upset her friend was and followed her. After finding the bathroom door locked she knocked.
"Just a minute," Maria called not recognizing the voice. She went over and unlocked the door and started throwing water on her face in the sink. When she picked her head up she saw Liz's face in the mirror. "Liz I'm going to kill you. How could you bring me to his table?"
"I'm sorry Maria, I should have warned you but I wanted you to meet Max. I love him and I wanted him to meet my best friend."
Maria's anger died down. "I still wish you would have told me. How can I go back on stage knowing he's out there?"
"You're going to be fine. You're a professional. Anyway isn't heartache supposed to give you an edge?"
"That's what they say but I would rather live without the pain."
(Back at the men's table.)
"What the hell was that all about?" Michael said practically screaming at Kyle.
"What?"
"You were totally flirting with Maria! My Maria!"
"You don't own her Michael. You said so yourself you two can't be together so she's going to find someone else eventually. Did you look at her Michael? Did you see the way the other men in the bar were looking at her? She had every female in the place pissed at their boyfriends for staring. She's someone that won't be lonely for too long."
"Michael felt his heart clench. He had been to wrapped up in listening to Maria sing to notice the lustful stares the other men had been giving her but it was obvious that other men found Maria extremely attractive. And why wouldn't they? He had no claim over her. Michael couldn't take it anymore and so he finally got up and walked out of the bar before Maria arrived back on stage.
Before taking the microphone again Maria scanned the crowd for Michael's table. She saw he was gone. Instead of the enormous relief Maria had been expecting by his leaving she felt even more ill at ease. *He didn't even want to hear me finish my set. God I'm so stupid. What did you expect Maria? He's not going to leave his wife for you. You have to get over him and move on. Look at the men out there. Surely there's a guy here that would want you. Hey was Kyle flirting with me?*
TBC...