" Would you choose immortality?" Henry's voice was deep, leaking dark thoughts, which caused him to whisper.
"If you had a choice, would you choose to live forever?"
Jo and Henry were sitting in a small bar four blocks from the antique store, which he shared with Abe. Initially they had sat at the counter, and then moved to a booth padded with deep red leather, pressed into old oak. It was comfortable and quiet. Jo was focussed on the wine, which ran down the inside of her glass, distracted she barely acknowledged his question.
Three hours ago she has told him to get out of her car. He had placed her job at risk, had lied and basically freaked her out with his unpredictable actions leading to him wielding an ancient knife towards her. A girl shouldn't have to cope with these things.
She was still confused as to how "get out of my car Henry", turned into "I need to talk to you, can we get a drink", and now he was asking questions – about what! living forever, right at the moment she was unsure she would even get through the night.
"Henry really, its not the time" lifting her head from her glass, she raised her hand to lean against her forehead. "I'm getting a headache, and this". She waved her hand at the collection of glasses accumulating before her "isn't working".
"Jo", pulling her gently to turn towards him "I really want, no I need to know"
"Would I choose to live forever? no – maybe, Henry it depends, its a stupid question"
"I suppose it is", he leaned back into the booth, adjusting his scarf. His eyes averted from hers and looked towards the door. "Its late, you're right, this isn't resolving anything," She could tell his feelings were hurt. How dare he, she thought, make her feel guilty because she didn't want to answer his foolish question. His eyes now gazing towards the floor, he adjusted slightly in his seat, looking to leave.
What was it about his vulnerability that penetrated her heart, creating in her a need to protect him from whatever demon it was he had chosen to align himself with.
"If I knew I wouldn't be alone, then maybe yes I would choose to live forever. If, I could know that there would be someone who could understand, be there with me", her voice drifted as she momentarily imagined a future with no end. She shuddered briefly "I couldn't do it on my own, a solitary life…. I think I would go mad".
He responded with a sad smile. "Thank-you Jo for indulging me", turning he leant forward to leave the booth.
"Henry, wait…you know I'm so angry with you at the moment I could kill you, but..Damn it Henry I don't know what I have to do, what I have to say … I am here for you no matter what…it irritates the hell out of me that I've let you in, but that's the way it is….for whatever reason you are stuck with me", she paused "for as long as it takes for you to trust me"
She quickly moved to hug him, expecting a stiff, yet polite response. His arms moved in response to wrap around her waist, holding her, tightly. His cheek leant into hers, his beard scratching her skin, as he moved his head lower, holding her tighter.
"I trust you", he murmured into her neck "I just can't trust myself".
"Go home Henry, get some sleep, whatever this is we can sort it out tomorrow"
He remained holding her, as if he were trying to imprint the memory of her feel into his body. Slowly she moved away from him, maintaining contact until only their hands remained touching.
"Tomorrow Henry" she smiled "there is always a tomorrow"