Chapter 3: "And what if you can, Kane?"
"Go on", Claire silently encouraged him.
For a moment, Kane just stared at the table...The thoughts of previous weeks were flowing through his mind...He could still see Stevie's face in front of his eyes, her warm smile...Her shocking facial expression when she found him in garage on Wilgul...Her look full of trust when she left her bag with money in his car...
And he could still hear Alex- hard words on his account...
"She changed me...", whispered Kane.
"Where is she now?", Claire carefully asked.
"I left her...", whispered Kane. Claire slightly frowned a bit, but didn't said a word... Giving him time...
"She has this friend...Guy whose family is rich and influential, and everything is so easy for him...", Kane shook his head "We wanted to take off together, start a new life...She even took all money she had and left it at my car while she goes to pack...", Kane's voice drifted away and he leaned his face on his palms, covering his eyes.
"But?", Claire slowly asked.
Kane rubbed his eyes and forehead and turned back to Claire.
"He waited for me at home...His brother was my landowner ... And he just found a table from one car I stole on the property... I was ready to take off with her...But, he showed up lecturing me..."
Claire frowned:
"Lecturing you?"
Kane nodded.
"Yeah, he told me that she wants to settle down and I said that maybe that's what I wanted as well. And", Kane shook his head "And he said Even if you do – do you really think that you are able to provide it?, at those words, Claire loudly gasped and Kane added "What hurts the most is that he was my mate..."
"And it seemed to ya that he wanted her for himself", finished Claire.
"I couldn't do it, Claire", Kane whispered, tears starting to burn in the back of his eyes "I wasn't sure could I do it after that talk from him...I have to see can I really do it, can I really become an honest man that she wants me to be... And than I can go back for her..."
"So, you took off without saying goodbye or anything else to her?", Claire carefully asked. As Kane nodded, she asked "What about the money?"
"I left it to her boss to give it to her", Kane silently replied.
"You didn't took any of it?", Claire asked, surprised, but very touched.
"Not one single dollar", replied Kane.
Claire watched him, noticing the struggle that was going on inside of him clearly showing on his face.
"I couldn't break her heart, Claire... What if I can't became what she wants me to?"
"And what if you can, Kane?", was Claire's firmly reply that surprised Kane and shook the most hidden part of his heart. The tear that was trying to stay in his eye during whole talk, now became too heavy and rolled down his cheek... Bringing all fears and worries out...
"How?", he whispered.
"Well, I guess that you started the healing process already last night", said Claire, smiling.
Kane felt small smile of relief coming on his lips and he whispered:
"I thought that I owe you the truth for what you did for me."
"I'm glad you told me", nodded Claire.
"And, you don't mind?", Kane silently asked.
Claire took a breath in.
"Kane, I'm not justifying you for your actions in the past. But, nor am I judging you. I have no right for that. It's only your decision what will you do from now on. As long as you don't steal from me...", she talked, but Kane quickly popped in:
"Oh, Claire, I would never do that!!"
"Good. So, that's solved", she said, getting up "I will make myself a cup of coffee. Want one?"
"Nah, thanks, I think that I will go home, to crash on my bed", he smiled and Claire nodded, going toward the bar.
Kane took his jacket and came toward her.
"Thanks, Claire", he said, putting his jacket on.
"No worries", replied Claire "Everybody deserve another chance."
"How can you be so sure that I can do it?", he asked. It meant sooooo much to have someone who you can trust...
"Lets just say that I knew a girl who wasn't on right track. But, I gave her a job and today she is finishing a college and has her own job", said Claire, small smile washing over her face. She read all about Becky's success in newspapers and she was soooo proud of her "And she also had family troubles."
"You're one hell of a woman, Claire Williams!", smiled Kane.
"Flattering will get ya nowhere, Kane Morgan", joked Claire, causing Kane to laugh. She looked up at him "Like I said; we all have a past. I have it as well."
"What, ya were a bad girl?", Kane raised an eyebrow.
"Hell, I stole a stamp!", exclaimed Claire in playful tone of voice. Kane cracked up:
"Oh, that's really a crime, boss!"
She laughed and pouring some milk in her coffee, she said:
"Nah, it's more than that", her face turned serious and Kane noticed it:
"Wanna talk about it?", he asked "I mean, I know that we just met, but..."
Claire interrupted him:
"Nah, that's fine. Thanks, but maybe some other time. I have a killer headache and I am in a mood just for a coffee."
"Okay", nodded Kane.
She slightly smiled and went back to the table. Kane looked after her and said:
"I can stay if you want."
"Nah, that's okay", Claire silently replied "You go home, get some rest. See ya tonight!"
"Okay. Thanks once again, Claire", said Kane.
"You're welcome", she replied and watched as he went away. As he turned around on the doors, she waved to him, forcing a smile. He waved back.
As the doors closed behind Kane, Claire took a breath in, her face turning serious...
Slowly, she opened her wallet and took out a photo of a little baby.
She watched it for a while and very soon, tears started to roll down her cheeks as she whispered:
"Oh, BOM...How will I get you back?", she asked, closing her eyes and kissing the photo, sobbing...
It's the end of the day, it's quiet everywhere
The sun is fallin' down and goin' somewhere
In the last darkened view tell me what comes to you
Is it ghost of evil or the Angel light
While I'm feelin' all the pain
I am howlin' in the rain
The rain of tears that washed my sins
And leads me on and leads me on and leads me on ...
I remember that I walked through the gates that were locked
With optimistic thoughts upon my mind
But some day found me lost, I payed too much overcost
I lost my wings and my faith in you
While I'm feelin' all the pain
I am howlin' in the rain
The rain of tears that washed my sins
And leads me on and leads me on and leads me on ...
In the dead of the night, there's no fear, there's no fright
We'll be together, You're in my dreams
There's no sign of the light, just my soul is burnin' bright
Hear the song and fly with me
While I'm feelin' all the pain
I am howlin' in the rain
The rain of tears that washed my sins
And leads me on and leads me on and leads me on ...
"Leads Me On" – "Orthodox Celts"
