JE characters which I'm borrowing for a short time.
This song I've heard many times on my regular morning radio station, but today the words stuck in my head with the image of Ranger wanting to walk away from Stephanie for her sake in his own way of thinking.
"Maybe"
"Ranger, won't you even try! For us!"
He was looking at Stephanie trying to keep his face as stoic as a rock tablet, but it was hard. Harder than anything he had known up until this point. "Babe, I can't."
Stephanie yelled through her tears, "No, you won't! Even try!"
Taking a step towards the door, "Look at what I am. I don't want my life to hurt you. For you, Stephanie, I need to walk away this time."
"Go!" The pillow she was clutching hit the door as it closed. "No one will love you like I do," crying into her hands now empty.
"Maybe I should turn and walk away
Maybe I should run, but I'll probably bow my head and pray
Maybe I'll search the lost and found
Maybe like two boxers bloodied, dizzied by the seventh round
Maybe circumstances make it easier to quit
Maybe in our circle, square pieces never fit
But I want you to know
I've never walked away from the things I've wanted
I've never walked away, but I think I'm going to
This time
I've never walked away from the things I've wanted
I've never walked away, but I think I'm going to
This time
Maybe I'll move back across town
Maybe in a week or two, we can talk, but not right now
Maybe your mind plays tricks on me
Maybe it's the drawer of letters everyday I read
Maybe these tears don't look so gallant
Maybe it's a chemical imbalance
Maybe it's the lack of sunlight
But I want you to know
Still I want you to know
Maybe it hurts below the skin
Maybe lessons finally sinking in
Maybe getting in the last word doesn't really mean you win
I've never walked away from the things I've wanted
I've never walked away, but I think I'm going to
This time
I've never walked away from the things I've wanted
I've never walked away, but I think I'm going to
This time."
Stephanie cried and threw all the pillows at the door. Once the anger at Ranger was gone for the moment, she decided to take her hurt out and drink it away if only for a little while. Leaving only the light on above her stove, she grabbed her keys and purse, and bid Rex 'Sweet Dreams'. Locking her door, she saw the black form leaning against the wall.
"What are you doing here?"
Ranger's eyes were closed with his head tilted back against the paint, "As far as I got."
Hitching her purse over her shoulder and taking a step, "I hope you, the wall, and hallway have a good night.
Taking another step to pass Ranger heading for the elevator, she felt the swoosh of air as the space between them disappeared, only feeling the hard body against her soft one. Stephanie could feel his heart beating in his chest and lips came down hard on hers. Strong bands encasing her to him. "I couldn't walk away."
"This time," Stephanie whispered.
"Never."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
'Maybe' by The Clarks, a band who got their start here in Pittsburgh.