December 18

Having checked the clock for the fifteenth, maybe even the sixteenth time; Tim decided he might as well get up and face another day. It was still dark, but he could see the streaks of light beginning to spread across the sky; didn't look as if it was going to rain or snow, the forecasters had been predicting a white Christmas this year, but so far the December days had been cold and bright.

Tim's head was fuzzy from two nights without proper sleep, and even a cup of strong coffee didn't make him feel more alert, a run...that would help, pound out some miles, empty his mind of Maxine, and the prospect of seeing the disappointment on his mom's face that a potential daughter-in-law had walked away.

Three hours later he was back again, sitting alone in his apartment. Running through the crisp morning air had been good...the streets were empty and the park looked so fresh with its covering of frost. On the way home, he'd passed a bakery, and for the first time since Friday, he actually felt hungry. The fresh baked Danish had tasted every bit as good as he thought it would when he went inside the store...but as soon as he'd finished eating, he started to feel empty again, not hungry empty, but empty deeper inside...

He woke with a start and checked the time, he'd only slept for fifty minutes, and he certainly didn't feel refreshed, all he had was a stiff neck, his chair was not designed for sleeping. Tim stared at the computer, no not yet, he couldn't, wait...maybe she'd changed her mind, called him, and his phone had been switched off. Quickly he got up and hurried into the bedroom, he'd left his cell on the night stand; it seemed to take an age for it to spark into life, and when it did Tim's brief moment of hope was dashed. Three missed calls, one from his mom, one from Sarah, and the other...Richard, he gave a brief smile. Richard York had been a friend since they'd worked together on a Freshman project at MIT. They didn't meet often, Richard lived in Scottsdale, and Tim was out in Arizona about as often as Richard was in DC; but they kept in touch online, and spoke on the phone at least once a month. Today of all days it would be good to talk to Richard.

"Hey Rich."

"Tim! I figured you were out with the lovely Maxine, didn't want to disturb the young lovers…" Richard listened to the long silence and knew he'd put his foot right in it. "Tim…what's wrong?"

"Same as always…she's gone, just about as far as she could without leaving the country."

Knowing that Rich would only tell one other person his story, Tim opened his heart, told his friend everything.

"Oh Tim, what can I say? She's a fool if she can't see she's giving up on a great guy."

"I think I must be the fool, expecting any woman to stick with me...Hey, I've dumped all my troubles on you and never asked how you're all doing."

"We're great Tim; Elliot took his first step two days ago, he's the best kid ever."

"That's amazing...I wish I could see you all this trip, but I could only get four days vacation time."

"There's time enough; and if the business does okay we're all coming out to DC in the spring."

"In that case I hope the business does great. How's Helen?"

"As beautiful as ever. She told me to give you her love."

"Give her a kiss from me Old-Timer."

Richard was pleased to hear Tim using his college nick-name. He was only two years older than Tim, but ever since the day he'd called Tim Kiddo, he was the Old-Timer.

"Always happy to kiss my wife as often as I can."

Tim laughed quietly. "Can't say I blame you, Helen's one of a kind."

Richard knew this wasn't the time to say it, but he was certain there was someone out there who deserved Tim, and could make him as happy as he was with Helen.

"Rich, I'm glad you called...it's been good to talk."

"Anytime, you should have called me yesterday."

"I could barely think then, let alone talk...so, did you have a reason to call, or did you just want to shoot the breeze?"

There was a slight hesitation. "I did have a reason, but it's not important."

"Is it about the business?"

Richard sighed, he really didn't want to burden Tim with his troubles, but Tim was insistent.

"Tell me Rich, is there a problem?"

"Honestly...Tim, I hate to ask, but you said if I ever needed a loan...and it's only short-term; maybe less than a month...you remember I have a meeting with a potential buyer on the 22nd?"

"Sure, if they like the prototype, you're all set."

"Exactly..."

"There's a but in there, I know it...come on Rich, what do you need?"

"There's one vital component for the finished article, I had to have it made by an outside company...we don't have the specialist machinery..."

There was another long silence as Richard tried to find a way to explain how the work had cost much more than he'd originally budgeted for, and that without this component his meeting with Hollander Enterprises would be over before it had even begun.

"I have some savings Rich, the money's yours for as long as need it."

"Tim...I...you...you don't know how much this means to me, I've been so wrapped up in getting the project ready I kind of lost track of the money...spent much more than I have...but Tim, are you...?"

"I'm sure Rich, it's not like I need the money right now."

"Tim, are you...?"

"I'm certain, now quit arguing and take the money!"

"Okay Tim, I won't try to put you off again, I'll email the company bank account details, and Tim...thank you, from all of us...if I lose this deal..."

"You won't lose it Rich, you have a great product, they'd have to be stupid not to buy it...I'll get the money to you later today. Now go, spend some time with your family."

Tim switched off his phone and went to the kitchen for more coffee, he was pleased his money could help someone he cared for, and after all, he wasn't likely to need his savings any time soon. If Maxine...if she was still around, maybe he'd have been in the market for a house, as things were now, the last thing he needed was a bigger place.

At least Rich's request had given him something to do; he logged on to the computer and made the necessary arrangements to transfer the funds from his savings account to RH Enterprises. He checked his emails, but apart from a few gamer buddies, no one had contacted him over the weekend, which was fine by him, in less than twelve hours he'd have to face them all at work. Maybe he should call in sick…

Tim warmed a can of soup and ate half, as he cleared away the dishes, he made his decision; he'd go into work, try to find the right moment to tell them…and then what…face their pity again, get used to the nudges and glances, not from his own team, they were better at hiding things; but word soon got round. He shrugged a little as he put his dish in the cupboard, however long he waited, it wasn't going to get any easier, best thing, get it over and done with, wouldn't be the first time everyone had been talking about him, and at least Maxine hadn't threatened to kill him.