Even after all these years, she can still remember how he smelled. Whiskey and coconut (from that ridiculous girly shampoo he used on his hair.
She doubts he smells that way now. He's probably stopped drinking for starters.
The callouses on his fingers, from years playing the guitar.
His breath, sweet with the smell of cigarettes.
His voice, gentle, soft, singing the song he wrote for her.
All this and more, Karen remembers.
She squares her shoulders.
This is all she has wanted, for so very long. Just to see him again.
So why is she so scared?
Maybe he will be different, perhaps he isn't him anymore.
How does madness change a man?
What if he's never forgiven her?
The thoughts overwhelm her.
She looks back. There stands a man who does love her, would do anything for her. She knows that. He has made it perfectly clear.
But he isn't Brian, never Brian.
she enters the garden. and never looks back again.