See disclaimers in chapter 1. Commentaries welcome.
Culmination
Chapter 2
The Announcement
"Nat?"
He stood beside the couch, casually dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. One hand negligently stuffed inside his pocket.
"There's some things I have to tell you. It's very important to me and it's going to be a bit difficult to get out so before I begin I don't want you to speak. Just hear me out first OK?"
"Sure Nat, but what's this all about?"
"I'll explain everything…just let me finish first."
She walked passed him and deliberately took the leather chair that angled off to the side of the sofa.
I can't be too close; I'll lose my nerve.
What do you care, you've already lost your mind.
Stop it!
He sat at the furthest end of the couch, nestled himself in the corner, and waited for her to begin.
Well you've got his attention, tell him.
She clasped her hands, twining the fingers together.
Where do I begin?
At the beginning.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her eyes locked on her hands. The grip was so tight that the knuckles appeared white. The contrast made starker by the blood outlining the bones.
Well it's now or never.
"I've been thinking a lot lately."
That's an understatement.
"And I need to know where we stand. Don't answer yet. Let me finish."
That's it, you know your own mind, tell him.
"I…How do I put this…" She mumbled under her breath.
Just say it!
"We've known each other for what…six years. And in that time we've come to know each other pretty well, under the circumstances. In that time, many changes have occurred in both your life and mine. I mean…Hell you awoke on my table…I thought you were dead…I…"
She paused a moment, gathering her thoughts.
Not as easy as you expected it is it?
No.
"No you weren't." She risked a quick glance in his direction. The visage before her remained unchanged.
"You tried to hypnotize me. Make me forget." A small chuckle escaped her, the ridiculousness of it all finally coming to her.
Yeah, fat chance!
What do you know?
"From that time till now, I've always been there for you. I've covered for you and the community. I've tried to help you whenever I could. I'm not sure why."
To save your life. If you didn't help, you'd be considered a threat.
He'd never hurt me!
Maybe not him, but perhaps someone else.
"At least I wasn't sure at the time. I mean…" She shook her head. The attention she gave the floor was unparalleled. " I did that to help you."
Really?
Yes!
You're sure?
Yes…I mean…
Why did you…Really?
" I did that because I…"
Yes, go on say it.
"I…"
SAY IT!
"I…I love you, and I didn't want you hurt. I didn't want you to leave…I didn't want…"She risked a glance up…
He started to rise. The look on his face was…Confusion, Understanding…Anger?
Oh God he's mad at me!
You brought this upon yourself.
"No! Please, let me finish."
You made your bed, now you'll sleep alone for sure.
No! I can't go on like this.
It's too late. Just finish it.
"I tried to stop myself. Tried to just remain friends."
OK, how are you going to work your way out of this one?
Again he started to rise. At the first sign, she brought her hand up, the palm forced outward. NO!
She watched him ease himself back into sitting position. His left hand ran through his hair. His right gripped the leather. The material spewed forth a sound of rebuke. She returned her gaze to her hands.
"But somewhere along the way, it happened."
Boy did it ever.
"I found myself thinking about you more often than I should've. Every time I saw you with another woman I'd feel jealous." A movement shook her chest. A cross between a sob and a chuckle. She shook head from side to side.
"I know I had no right to. We were JUST friends."
Yeah, but you wanted more. Still want more.
"Yes, I want more. I NEED more. I need to know if what I feel for you is strictly one-sided. If I'm only to be considered a friend, and nothing more. I can't go on like this…I just can't. I'm at a crossroads here and I have to know which path I'm going to take."
Well, you did it. Now what?
She took a deep breath and lifted her head slowly. Her eyes studied him from the floor up.
When she reached his face, she closed her eyes.
Inside she started to cry.
What did you expect?
End Chapter 2
