Disclaimer: See Author's Notes at the end.
Mart was enjoying his quality time with Diana. In just three months, they would be going to separate colleges, Mart into his sophomore year, and Diana into her freshman year. "At least we'll be in the same state," he murmured as he leaned down to kiss her.
Diana immediately stiffened in his arms. "Mart, I wanted to tell you sooner, but I wanted to wait until I was sure. We won't be in the same state for college. I-I've decided to go to UCLA," she finished in a rush.
"Why?" Mart couldn't help asking.
"Mart, I loved California when my parents took my family there. I just want to try to live on my own for a while before I settle down. Is that so bad?" She pleaded for his understanding.
Unfortunately, Mart wasn't feeling very understanding. He felt betrayed. Why didn't Diana tell me when she applied? He wondered. Instead, he drew a deep breath. "Diana, what does this mean for us?" His steadiness surprised him.
"It won't change anything," she promised. "All it will mean is that we won't see each other as much, but the time we do spend together will be the most special times."
"All right, Diana, I'll believe that, because I believe in us."
She
said, we're much too different
We're
from two separate worlds
And
he admitted, she was partly right.
Mart was visiting Diana for the first time since she left six months before. She had made trips home, but never had much time for him alone, what with her family and the Bob-Whites.
"Diana, are you ready to come home yet? You've been here for a while. I'm only asking because I really miss you."
Diana looked at him tenderly. "I miss you too. I'm just not ready to come home and settle down yet. Can't you please understand?"
"No, Diana, I don't understand. Everyone misses you, and I know you miss home. I miss you," he finished quietly.
"I miss you, too," Diana told him. "But, please understand that I enjoy having my own life for now."
But
in his heart's defense he told her
What
they had in common
Was
strong enough to bond them for life.
Yet another visit to California, and Mart was still trying to convince Diana to come home. Diana was visiting New York less and less, and each visit was growing shorter and shorter.
"Diana, I miss you, and I hardly ever get to see you when you visit. By the time I find out you're there, you're almost gone."
"I'm sorry, but it's hard to go back. My parents still treat me like a child when I'm there. I have to ask their permission to do anything, and they even have a curfew for me."
"I'm not trying to ask you to give anything up. I don't even know your major! I just want to be in your life."
"Mart,
I want to be in your life, too. I just can't right now. Why can't you
understand?" Diana was starting to cry.He
said look behind your own soul,
And
the person that you'll see,
Just
might remind you of me.
"I'm really trying to understand. I just don't know why you can't be in New York. You know, with all of your friends."
"Mart, I have friends here, too."
"I know you do. But they're not the Bob-Whites."
"Of course they're not!" Diana was getting fed up with Mart always begging her to come home. "They don't even know about the Bob-Whites. The Bob-Whites are the absolute best."
"Then
why are you ripping us apart?"I
laugh, I love, I hope, I try,
I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry.
And
I know you do the same things too.
So we're really not that
different...me and you.
Diana sighed. "I'm not ripping us apart. I'm just going my own way for a while. It's not a crime, you know."
"I know that," Mart sighed. "I'm sorry I said what I did."
"I know, Mart. I'm not sure this long-distance thing is working," Diana confessed.
Mart narrowed his eyes. "What long-distance thing?"
Diana rolled her eyes. "You know, us. I love you, and I love spending time with you, but not lately. You're bugging me to stop doing something I want to do, and I won't, but I hate hurting you."
Now
she could hardly argue
With his pure and simple logic,
But
logic never could convince a heart.
"Diana, the only reason I ask you to is because I miss you. I love you and want you near me. Is that so bad?" Mart's eyes pleaded with her.
"Lately,
yes, it is. You want me near you so much that you want me to give up
what I want. I can't do that. Not for you, not for anyone. I want to
go my own way for awhile."She
had always dreamed of loving
Someone more exotic,
And he just
didn't seem to fit the part.
A
few months later, Mart heard Trixie telling Honey about a letter she
had received from Diana. Apparently, Diana had found a new boyfriend
already, and sent a picture to his sister.
Mart decided then and there that Diana was his
past. Where he should look for his future, he didn't know. He just
knew that if Diana had moved on, he needed to, also.So
she searched for greener pastures
But never could forget
What
he whispered when she left.
Diana
changed her major from acting to art history, even though it would
add two years to her college career. Mart heard that she was
excelling at her chosen path. He also heard from Trixie that she
never kept a boyfriend very long, claiming that her boyfriends all
got in the way of her dreams. Mart heard Honey tell Trixie that she
thought that the reason Diana's boyfriends kept getting dumped was
because they couldn't compare to Mart.I
laugh, I love, I hope, I try
I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry
And
I know you do the same things too
So we're really not that
different...me and you.
Somehow,
Mart managed to convince everyone that hearing about Diana no longer
hurt him, and he even proved it by going on dates with various other
young women. Mart knew that deep in his heart, he would always be in
love with Diana. No one could ever take her place. He finished
college, with honors, with a major in agriculture and a minor in
journalism. He got a job at the Sleepyside Sun, and waited patiently
for Jim to open his school. Mart became a weekend partier, going
alone to clubs, but never leaving alone. At least, he didn't until
one particular night.Was
it time?
Was it truth?
Maybe both led her back to his door.
As
he went about his usual Friday night plans at the dance club in White
Plains, he stopped dead at the door. He couldn't believe his eyes.
There, in the middle of the dance floor with his sister and his
sister-in-law, was Diana. He convinced her to dance with him, and
thought they were having a good time until she left the dance floor
fighting tears. He
left after getting questioning looks from Trixie and Honey, but
before they came out of the bathroom. After six years, he had given
up hope that Diana would ever return, yet here she was, the new
curator of the Sleepyside Museum.And
as her tears fell at his feet,
She didn't say, I love you;
What
she said meant even more
The day after the disastrous dance club episode, Mart was at his apartment, rewriting an article for the third time. He jumped when the doorbell sounded. He shook his head, then went to answer the door. Diana, his Diana, was standing on the other side, with a fearful look on her face. "Diana?" he asked. "What are you doing here?"
Diana smiled timidly. "I came to see you. May I come in?"
Mart quickly stepped back to allow her entrance. "Of course. I'm sorry, please, come in."
Diana walked in and gingerly sat down on the couch. "I wanted to apologize for the way I ran out on you last night. It wasn't very nice of me."
Mart sat in a chair across from her. "It's okay. I figured it must have been a shock to see me."
"Well, you look great; better than ever, in fact." Mart could tell that Diana was very nervous.
"Diana, why are you really here?"
Diana blushed. "I called Trixie and picked her brain about you. I know you're not really seeing anyone. I," she hesitated. "I was wondering if you would take another chance on me," she finished.
Mart
looked hopefully at her. "You mean, you want us to be together
again?"
I
laugh, I love, I hope, I try,
I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry
And
I know you do the same things too.
So we're really not that
different....
So we're really not that different...me and you.
Three weeks later, they announced their engagement, with requests to have the wedding as soon as possible.
Author's Notes: The song We're Really Not That Different is sung by Colin Raye. I do not have permission to use it. The characters do not belong to me. They belong to Random House. I have just borrowed tham, and will now return them...until next time, anyway.
