Thoroughly confused, he rubbed her back; his fingers entangled in her hair. He felt as though he'd been transported into a Heaven all his own. And the scent of her lilac shampoo sent his hormones raging. Suddenly he wanted her more than he'd wanted anyone.
But clearly she wasn't going to return any advances he dare make.
Instead she clung to him; her body trembling against his. He'd never seen someone in so much pain-and it scared the holy hell out of him.
He tried to let go, but each effort caused her to cling to him even more.
"Sara, what's wrong? What happened?"
But she cried even harder.
Suddenly he caught a glimpse of Arnold, who smiled and nodded. But it wasn't a friendly smile by any means. And it made Williams furious.
God damn it, Arnold...
"Come on Sara... Let's... go somewhere that we can be alone."
She nodded tearfully.
Keeping an arm around her for support, he led her into his office and closed the blinds.
"I'm sorry about him. I swear that guy has no respect for anyone whatsoever." Williams said.
"I-it's all right. I didn't mean to make a scene. Maybe I should just go back to work."
She rose from the chair and tried to head for the door, but Williams stopped her.
"Hey, don't leave... Please?"
She sighed and nodded toward the booth. "But what about the movie? A-and the men? They-."
"Don't worry about a thing. Arnold will take care of it. He needs to do some work around here once in a while anyway."
He smiled at his joke, but Sara's sad expression remained... breaking his heart.
He reached out and brushed a fallen lock of hair from her forehead. "Hey... What's wrong?"
She bit back a sob, her fingers trembling over her mouth.
"It's all right." He whispered. "You can tell me."
Her breath was staggered. "That was my mother on the phone and she-."
Williams took her hand, waiting patiently for her to continue.
"What happened?"
Again she sniffled; the tears running down her cheeks. When she looked away, he rubbed her back. "It's okay." He whispered again
And finally she spoke...
"M-my father died."