An All American Love Story
Ch. Thirteen: Falling at the Beach
The next week drug on. Romano and Pratt were off of suspension, both stuck working the graveyard shifts, and Elizabeth was counting down the days to Christmas. She hadn't heard from Romano since the night at his house, and because of his late hours it didn't look like she would see him at the hospital for at least a month. Sitting alone at her house, Elizabeth was enjoying the morning. The weather had finally cleared up, and although it was still cold, one couldn't tell from all the sun. She was happy that all she had to do today was finish up some dictations at County and then meet her parents for their usual pre-Christmas get together. Although Elizabeth didn't totally relish spending many hours with them both together, it would be a welcome change from spending the days alone.
She finished her tea and began to get Ella ready for Chris. Elizabeth couldn't bare to have Ella spend the whole day being drug around listening to her grandparents bicker. Instead Chris was taking her to the zoo and then having a spend the night at her house. Although Chris didn't know the exact situation that she had gone on with Romano, she knew that Elizabeth needed one night with just some quiet. Just as Elizabeth had gotten Ella out of her highchair she heard the doorbell ring. She went to answer it and was shocked to find an extremely sick looking babysitter. "Chris, what's wrong?" Elizabeth asked her. "Oh I'm sorry Dr. Corday." She began to explain. "I just came to tell you that I don't think I can take care of Ella today. It seems I've come down with the flu. I tried to call but your phone was busy." Listening, Elizabeth managed to keep the horrified expression off her face. "I found another sitter." Chris began to explain again. "But she is only free at six thirty and after. I'm really sorry."
Without another excuse Elizabeth wished Chris well and told her to see a doctor.her own doctor. Her day had officially taken a turn for the worse. Elizabeth quickly strapped Ella into the car and took off for County. Maybe someone there could help her out. As she entered the hospital the nursing staff began to coo over Ella like they do with all the kids. Ella had somehow managed to fall asleep during the ride and was still groggy. "Lydia, is daycare open yet?" Elizabeth asked. After she got done tickling Ella she finally responded. "Oh they're not. After the flooding happened daycare had to close until County could get rid of the mildew." Elizabeth almost rolled her eyes out of her head. "Oh bloody perfect!.Carter!"
Elizabeth caught him before he had a chance to slip out the front door. "Are you free tonight?" Elizabeth asked, forcing a pleasant smile onto her face. Quickly realizing what his answer would bring he grabbed for Abby who was at his side. "No.Abby and I are going to a Bull's game." Shocked Abby looked up at him. "Oh cool." Seeing the distressed look about her Carter decided apologizes were in order. "Sorry Elizabeth. Try Susan. She's off at four I think." Elizabeth waved at the two before they left. Four would be too late.
After all the nursing staff told Elizabeth about their various shopping plans or other engagements her heart sunk as she came to the conclusion that she was going to have to cancel with her parents and hear how she was always too busy, or face the wrath of them coming to her house. After she had given up, Elizabeth made her way up to the surgical floor to go sit in her office. As she unlocked her door she heard two familiar voices around the corner. "Kerry, although I appreciate the fact that you only put me out of work for a week.without pay, I would rather be sent to the fourth ring of hell then have to work the graveyard with Pratt!" Elizabeth stifled her chuckle as she continued to listen. "Well Robert, you're going to have to learn how to share with the little boys before you can play with the big ones." Was the only explanation Weaver gave him. "Look you've got a week off for Christmas and new years so just deal with the fact that you pissed me off and you're going to be doing the scut work for awhile."
Soon after that, Elizabeth began to hear footsteps coming in her direction. Within seconds Romano came steaming around the corner like usual. As soon as his eyes rose above ground level he noticed Elizabeth standing at her door and slowed to a quick shuffle. Elizabeth noticed the change and looked up also. Although she had almost forgotten why she had gotten so upset over him during the week, seeing his face tugged at her heart, and reminded her of the reason. "Hello Robert.you remember Ella?" Without an emotion on his face Romano nodded and gave a wink in the little child's direction. He came to a stop a few feet in front of her. Romano waited several moments for some kind of response from Elizabeth. He still didn't feel like explaining all his feelings and reasons for the things happening the way they did the other week, so instead he waited for her to make a move. After she didn't he again glued his eyes to the floor and started back down for the elevator.
Seeing an opportunity Elizabeth called his name. "Robert, wait!" Romano turned around immediately. "What are you doing today?" she stated again. Romano walked back up to her, letting a small grin form on the side of his lips. "I'm free. Just heading home now." Being quick, trying not to let him get the wrong impression Elizabeth finished her thought. "Then can you baby-sit Ella for me? I have several plans today and the sitter called in sick." The smile fell off of his face like a collapsing building. That wasn't what he expected. For the second time in a week, Romano decided to hold the snark he had coming and go for the reasonable. "I forgot, I do have plans tonight. Isn't there anyone else you could ask?" he said back, still keeping his emotionless expression. Shifting Ella in her arms something in Elizabeth snapped. "If there was I wouldn't have asked you." Came the cold reply.
Romano's mouth dropped. He was going to let her have it. As he opened his snark memory bank Ella let out a soft giggle and reached for the gold stethoscope that hung around his neck. His eyes gradually moved from Elizabeth's face to the tiny fingers that reached out for him. He knew he owed her a favor; he might as well repay it while they were still speaking. "How long do you want me to watch her?" he asked. Letting out a sigh of relief she looked down to her watch. "From now until about six thirty. The other sitter will pick her up at your house then, just call this number and give her your address." Romano nodded taking the phone number she pulled out of her pocket. Elizabeth shifted Ella again, and then shot Romano a look to why he was still standing there. "So you want me to take her right?" he said holding out his arm.
"Oh yeah." She said, handing her baby over. Elizabeth went over the checklist in her head. "Ella usually eats come kind of cracker at about ten then some soup at about twelve thirty. After that she'll want to nap. When she wakes up just." She was cut off by Romano walking away. "I think I got it Lizzie. No worries." He grumbled out before strolling into the elevator. Even though he wasn't sure that he had it, he was going to let Elizabeth think it.
Elizabeth walked into her office and sat down. She hated being angry with anyone, even Romano. Somehow that night had changed him. Although he was still giving out his witty remarks, he seemed to have lost something, and it made her scared. Romano walked quickly through the ER. He didn't really want too many people to see him leaving with a baby. He had worked hard for his tough image, he didn't want to loose it now. Once he reached his car he realized a problem. He didn't have a car seat. Although he was confident in his driving abilities he didn't want Ella moving around while he was on the road. "Oh shit." He said aloud, waking Ella with the tone in his voice.
Ten minutes later Romano and Ella were seated on the el train, slowly making their way to his house. She was being good for being with a stranger. Although Romano was confident it was not his charm that she was attracted to as much as the stethoscope that still hung on his neck. After a twenty-minute train ride her enthusiasm was fading fast. Hearing the murmurs of a cry Romano began to rock her back and forth on his knee. Still having no effect he wished he had let Elizabeth finish her tantrum about what Ella liked.
Ella was now screaming at a full out cry. With all the people on the train giving him dirty looks, Romano got off at the next stop, five blocks from his house. Juggling Ella in one hand while reaching for his keys, he was just thankful that it wasn't raining. Finally getting inside Romano's arm was about to give way. Quickly he sat Ella down on his couch while he went to fix her some crackers.and his house for the night.
Elizabeth's day was going well. She had met her parents on time, for once, at a nice restaurant where they all had lunch. After a few hours of shopping and showing them the highlights of Chicago, they were back at her house before going out for dinner. Elizabeth didn't worry anymore about entertaining them every second. The constant bickering was more then enough to suffice until she was dressed. While at the restaurant, she was bombarded by the usual questions about her work and love life. Because she was still confused about the second, and the fact that her father loathed Romano, she left it out all together.
After another rousing bout of personal comments Elizabeth gazed at her watch. It was going on eight and she had, had enough and was searching for a reason to leave. "I'm afraid I have to check up on Ella." She quietly commented before excusing herself from the table. It was the only excuse these days that both her parents bought. Elizabeth could still hear them talking at the table as she walked over to the payphones and dialed the number she had written down. "Hello, Mrs. McKella? Yes this is Elizabeth Corday. I was just checking in on my daughter Ella, and I wanted to tell you that I should be over within the hour to pick her up." After several seconds of silence the woman on the other line began to speak. "Well I'm afraid there has been some mistake. No one ever called me about Ella. I never picked her up."
Instantly a rush a panic swept through Elizabeth. Had something happened? "I'm sorry I have to go." Was the best reply she could give the woman before hanging up. Elizabeth quickly told her parents goodbye, with the promise of another meeting before they left, and was out the restaurant and into her car. Not even thinking of calling, she began the drive over to Romano's house faster then she should have. She was going to kill him if he let something happen to her baby. All the possible situations rushed through her mind while she was in the car. Had he forgotten? Gotten drunk? Revenge maybe? "No, no, no" she said to herself. There had to be a logical explanation for all of this. At least there better be.
Pulling up to his house Elizabeth noticed two extra cars in the driveway. "So maybe he wasn't lying about having plans." She thought, "But he better not be having a party while my daughter is over." Almost running out of her car, Elizabeth's feelings ranged somewhere in between blinding fear and extreme anger. She jammed her finger into the doorbell, ringing it several times. No dog's bark greeted her as she waited for the sound of feet. After ringing the bell another time, just for good measure, she finally heard someone fiddling with the doorknob. Just as she opened her mouth to bombard Romano with foul language she noticed the greeter wasn't him at all.
A middle-aged woman in a wheelchair greeted her at the door. She was stunningly beautiful. With reddish brown hair that was cut just below her collarbone, her thin disposition and smile made her look nothing like Romano. "Can I help you?" she asked. This snapped Elizabeth out of the thought she was in. "Oh, I'm looking for Robert Romano. I think I have the wrong house." Elizabeth said looking around. This made the woman's smile even bigger. "No, I'm Laura Romano, Robert's sister. He's down by the lake with his dog." Elizabeth nodded and left without introducing herself. She was too upset with Romano at the moment to be cordial.
When she reached the sand she could see the shadow of Romano. He was sitting down near the lake edge tossing the stick for Gretel. Elizabeth took no time to walk over to him. Once she got a suitable distance to him she began to yell. "How dare you! You scared me half to death!" Romano turned around as he heard her voice. He raised his eyebrows and spoke back. "Nice to see you too Lizzie." His sarcasm was very under appreciated at the current juncture. Noticing Elizabeth walking closer to him, Romano stood to meet her. "How irresponsible can you be? What were you thinking not letting me know where my child is?" Romano was shocked as he listened to Elizabeth yell. He didn't think that having Ella stay with him would get this kind of reaction. "I'm sorry! I just didn't think." he started before Elizabeth interrupted him. "Exactly! You didn't think! You don't have a child and you don't understand what a big deal it is to say to someone, to say to me, you will take care of a child and then screw up!"
"I didn't screw up! I just."
"You just didn't think! You just never think! Whether it's about someone's child, someone's feelings." by now Elizabeth had started to cry. She knew Romano didn't deserve all of this for tonight, but he did for leaving things the way he did on their last meeting. "I just can't believe how stupid I was!" Elizabeth shouted, turning away from him and ending her tirade. "For what!" Romano yelled back. He was as equally as angry now. "For trusting you!" As Romano heard what she said he quickly came to the realization that Elizabeth wasn't just talking about tonight. "I was wrong to ever trust you! I don't know what made me think you were capable of taking care of anyone but yourself."
This was it for Romano. He was tired of getting yelled at. Before Elizabeth could get another insult out he tossed away any qualms he had about yelling back. "Then go the fuck inside and get her!" he spat out before turning around and throwing the stick he had in his hand as hard as he could. Elizabeth stood frozen trying to replay the situation in her head. She felt the wind blow against her as she watched Romano walk away. It had been the first time that night that she had felt cold. Replaying his last words, it became clear to her that they had been more hurt then angry, and after she watched him for a moment she was sure.
The stick stopped with a thud in a fine layer of snow. Romano had inadvertently thrown it close to the frozen ice of the river scaring Gretel away from retrieval. "Damn dog." He mumbled as he walked over to the waterside. He bent down to pick up the stick. As he did his eyes caught a glimpse of a chunk of ice floating in the lake. Seeing it made a small grin form on his face as his thoughts ran back to their day at the ice rink. His memory was ruined by a tug at his arm. The touch came on his left side and made him jump. He turned to capture the sad image of Elizabeth's tearing eyes. Romano tried hard to change his attitude towards her, but anger always made him do strange things.
Elizabeth didn't want to apologize for everything, since she felt she was right, but perhaps about the timing. "Are you ok?" was the best she could some up with. Romano rolled his eyes. "You don't care. You made your point very clear Elizabeth so why don't you just leave." He added, with the right amount of sneer. He wouldn't give in that easy to her. She deserved to feel bad and he would make sure she did. "Robert look. I was mad and I'm sorry for coming over and yelling like that but you don't know how badly you frightened me.just like last week." She ended on a softer note.
Romano shot her a look of resentment. "Why the hell do you care about last week? That had nothing to do with you.and it's over!" he said, putting back the tension in his throat. Elizabeth let her head drop. She knew the conversation could end badly, but if she let it go like she knew Romano wanted, it would never be brought back up. "Because I care about you. That makes me want to know when you have a bad day, or why you started a fight." Romano started to pace as she was talking. He was fed up. Never in his life had he been one to pour out emotions, and he certainly wouldn't start now. After all, he had let his guard down with her before, and he still remembered how it ended. "Pratt pissed me off! That's all there is to it. I messed up and I paid the price." All Romano wanted her to do was let it go. He was much better working with anger then he was with any real emotion.
Elizabeth took the stick from his hand and moved to walk away. She only got about twenty feet before she found a spot in the sand with no snow and sat down. Having the stick made the shaggy dog come bounding towards her. Romano was livid. He knew Elizabeth wasn't going away unless he told her something. Walking over a few feet closer to her he began to talk. "Pratt just reminded me of what scares me the most. Things I could never say, for fear that they would happen. I know everyone thinks them but when I heard it for the first time, I just lost it." his voice was now soft, barely audible in the wind. Walking closer to her, Romano reached for his dog, and ended up sitting down next to Elizabeth on the sand.
Feeling he was trying to let her in Elizabeth reached for his hand, but Romano quickly moved it away. "You know that we are the only state with a beach."
"Robert." Elizabeth said as she cut him off. She knew he was stalling. Romano took a deep breath. He promised himself a long time ago that he wouldn't fall so easily for someone, but sitting next to Elizabeth on the sand he could feel his exterior crumbling. "You know Lizzie, I tried for a long time to make a reputation for myself, and it was hard. I always had to be tough, and be the best." He stuttered as he shifted gears. "When we went out that first time I knew I was going to have to be cautious. I knew I couldn't get my heart broken again. Cause it can only break so much before you feel nothing at all. And I don't ever want to be like that, although I pretend I do." He stopped for a moment to lift his head up and look out into the night. It was beautiful. " I told myself that if all we ever were was friends, that I would be ok. That I wouldn't have to hurt. So I made a perfect plan." Stopping again, he removed the hat he was wearing and set it on his knee. Bringing his hand up to his face, he pinched the bridge of his nose before starting again. "That if I ended our relationship, you would hate me and I.I would never be in love with you. But sitting here tonight, I realize somehow I messed up... Cause I fell for you anyway."
The next week drug on. Romano and Pratt were off of suspension, both stuck working the graveyard shifts, and Elizabeth was counting down the days to Christmas. She hadn't heard from Romano since the night at his house, and because of his late hours it didn't look like she would see him at the hospital for at least a month. Sitting alone at her house, Elizabeth was enjoying the morning. The weather had finally cleared up, and although it was still cold, one couldn't tell from all the sun. She was happy that all she had to do today was finish up some dictations at County and then meet her parents for their usual pre-Christmas get together. Although Elizabeth didn't totally relish spending many hours with them both together, it would be a welcome change from spending the days alone.
She finished her tea and began to get Ella ready for Chris. Elizabeth couldn't bare to have Ella spend the whole day being drug around listening to her grandparents bicker. Instead Chris was taking her to the zoo and then having a spend the night at her house. Although Chris didn't know the exact situation that she had gone on with Romano, she knew that Elizabeth needed one night with just some quiet. Just as Elizabeth had gotten Ella out of her highchair she heard the doorbell ring. She went to answer it and was shocked to find an extremely sick looking babysitter. "Chris, what's wrong?" Elizabeth asked her. "Oh I'm sorry Dr. Corday." She began to explain. "I just came to tell you that I don't think I can take care of Ella today. It seems I've come down with the flu. I tried to call but your phone was busy." Listening, Elizabeth managed to keep the horrified expression off her face. "I found another sitter." Chris began to explain again. "But she is only free at six thirty and after. I'm really sorry."
Without another excuse Elizabeth wished Chris well and told her to see a doctor.her own doctor. Her day had officially taken a turn for the worse. Elizabeth quickly strapped Ella into the car and took off for County. Maybe someone there could help her out. As she entered the hospital the nursing staff began to coo over Ella like they do with all the kids. Ella had somehow managed to fall asleep during the ride and was still groggy. "Lydia, is daycare open yet?" Elizabeth asked. After she got done tickling Ella she finally responded. "Oh they're not. After the flooding happened daycare had to close until County could get rid of the mildew." Elizabeth almost rolled her eyes out of her head. "Oh bloody perfect!.Carter!"
Elizabeth caught him before he had a chance to slip out the front door. "Are you free tonight?" Elizabeth asked, forcing a pleasant smile onto her face. Quickly realizing what his answer would bring he grabbed for Abby who was at his side. "No.Abby and I are going to a Bull's game." Shocked Abby looked up at him. "Oh cool." Seeing the distressed look about her Carter decided apologizes were in order. "Sorry Elizabeth. Try Susan. She's off at four I think." Elizabeth waved at the two before they left. Four would be too late.
After all the nursing staff told Elizabeth about their various shopping plans or other engagements her heart sunk as she came to the conclusion that she was going to have to cancel with her parents and hear how she was always too busy, or face the wrath of them coming to her house. After she had given up, Elizabeth made her way up to the surgical floor to go sit in her office. As she unlocked her door she heard two familiar voices around the corner. "Kerry, although I appreciate the fact that you only put me out of work for a week.without pay, I would rather be sent to the fourth ring of hell then have to work the graveyard with Pratt!" Elizabeth stifled her chuckle as she continued to listen. "Well Robert, you're going to have to learn how to share with the little boys before you can play with the big ones." Was the only explanation Weaver gave him. "Look you've got a week off for Christmas and new years so just deal with the fact that you pissed me off and you're going to be doing the scut work for awhile."
Soon after that, Elizabeth began to hear footsteps coming in her direction. Within seconds Romano came steaming around the corner like usual. As soon as his eyes rose above ground level he noticed Elizabeth standing at her door and slowed to a quick shuffle. Elizabeth noticed the change and looked up also. Although she had almost forgotten why she had gotten so upset over him during the week, seeing his face tugged at her heart, and reminded her of the reason. "Hello Robert.you remember Ella?" Without an emotion on his face Romano nodded and gave a wink in the little child's direction. He came to a stop a few feet in front of her. Romano waited several moments for some kind of response from Elizabeth. He still didn't feel like explaining all his feelings and reasons for the things happening the way they did the other week, so instead he waited for her to make a move. After she didn't he again glued his eyes to the floor and started back down for the elevator.
Seeing an opportunity Elizabeth called his name. "Robert, wait!" Romano turned around immediately. "What are you doing today?" she stated again. Romano walked back up to her, letting a small grin form on the side of his lips. "I'm free. Just heading home now." Being quick, trying not to let him get the wrong impression Elizabeth finished her thought. "Then can you baby-sit Ella for me? I have several plans today and the sitter called in sick." The smile fell off of his face like a collapsing building. That wasn't what he expected. For the second time in a week, Romano decided to hold the snark he had coming and go for the reasonable. "I forgot, I do have plans tonight. Isn't there anyone else you could ask?" he said back, still keeping his emotionless expression. Shifting Ella in her arms something in Elizabeth snapped. "If there was I wouldn't have asked you." Came the cold reply.
Romano's mouth dropped. He was going to let her have it. As he opened his snark memory bank Ella let out a soft giggle and reached for the gold stethoscope that hung around his neck. His eyes gradually moved from Elizabeth's face to the tiny fingers that reached out for him. He knew he owed her a favor; he might as well repay it while they were still speaking. "How long do you want me to watch her?" he asked. Letting out a sigh of relief she looked down to her watch. "From now until about six thirty. The other sitter will pick her up at your house then, just call this number and give her your address." Romano nodded taking the phone number she pulled out of her pocket. Elizabeth shifted Ella again, and then shot Romano a look to why he was still standing there. "So you want me to take her right?" he said holding out his arm.
"Oh yeah." She said, handing her baby over. Elizabeth went over the checklist in her head. "Ella usually eats come kind of cracker at about ten then some soup at about twelve thirty. After that she'll want to nap. When she wakes up just." She was cut off by Romano walking away. "I think I got it Lizzie. No worries." He grumbled out before strolling into the elevator. Even though he wasn't sure that he had it, he was going to let Elizabeth think it.
Elizabeth walked into her office and sat down. She hated being angry with anyone, even Romano. Somehow that night had changed him. Although he was still giving out his witty remarks, he seemed to have lost something, and it made her scared. Romano walked quickly through the ER. He didn't really want too many people to see him leaving with a baby. He had worked hard for his tough image, he didn't want to loose it now. Once he reached his car he realized a problem. He didn't have a car seat. Although he was confident in his driving abilities he didn't want Ella moving around while he was on the road. "Oh shit." He said aloud, waking Ella with the tone in his voice.
Ten minutes later Romano and Ella were seated on the el train, slowly making their way to his house. She was being good for being with a stranger. Although Romano was confident it was not his charm that she was attracted to as much as the stethoscope that still hung on his neck. After a twenty-minute train ride her enthusiasm was fading fast. Hearing the murmurs of a cry Romano began to rock her back and forth on his knee. Still having no effect he wished he had let Elizabeth finish her tantrum about what Ella liked.
Ella was now screaming at a full out cry. With all the people on the train giving him dirty looks, Romano got off at the next stop, five blocks from his house. Juggling Ella in one hand while reaching for his keys, he was just thankful that it wasn't raining. Finally getting inside Romano's arm was about to give way. Quickly he sat Ella down on his couch while he went to fix her some crackers.and his house for the night.
Elizabeth's day was going well. She had met her parents on time, for once, at a nice restaurant where they all had lunch. After a few hours of shopping and showing them the highlights of Chicago, they were back at her house before going out for dinner. Elizabeth didn't worry anymore about entertaining them every second. The constant bickering was more then enough to suffice until she was dressed. While at the restaurant, she was bombarded by the usual questions about her work and love life. Because she was still confused about the second, and the fact that her father loathed Romano, she left it out all together.
After another rousing bout of personal comments Elizabeth gazed at her watch. It was going on eight and she had, had enough and was searching for a reason to leave. "I'm afraid I have to check up on Ella." She quietly commented before excusing herself from the table. It was the only excuse these days that both her parents bought. Elizabeth could still hear them talking at the table as she walked over to the payphones and dialed the number she had written down. "Hello, Mrs. McKella? Yes this is Elizabeth Corday. I was just checking in on my daughter Ella, and I wanted to tell you that I should be over within the hour to pick her up." After several seconds of silence the woman on the other line began to speak. "Well I'm afraid there has been some mistake. No one ever called me about Ella. I never picked her up."
Instantly a rush a panic swept through Elizabeth. Had something happened? "I'm sorry I have to go." Was the best reply she could give the woman before hanging up. Elizabeth quickly told her parents goodbye, with the promise of another meeting before they left, and was out the restaurant and into her car. Not even thinking of calling, she began the drive over to Romano's house faster then she should have. She was going to kill him if he let something happen to her baby. All the possible situations rushed through her mind while she was in the car. Had he forgotten? Gotten drunk? Revenge maybe? "No, no, no" she said to herself. There had to be a logical explanation for all of this. At least there better be.
Pulling up to his house Elizabeth noticed two extra cars in the driveway. "So maybe he wasn't lying about having plans." She thought, "But he better not be having a party while my daughter is over." Almost running out of her car, Elizabeth's feelings ranged somewhere in between blinding fear and extreme anger. She jammed her finger into the doorbell, ringing it several times. No dog's bark greeted her as she waited for the sound of feet. After ringing the bell another time, just for good measure, she finally heard someone fiddling with the doorknob. Just as she opened her mouth to bombard Romano with foul language she noticed the greeter wasn't him at all.
A middle-aged woman in a wheelchair greeted her at the door. She was stunningly beautiful. With reddish brown hair that was cut just below her collarbone, her thin disposition and smile made her look nothing like Romano. "Can I help you?" she asked. This snapped Elizabeth out of the thought she was in. "Oh, I'm looking for Robert Romano. I think I have the wrong house." Elizabeth said looking around. This made the woman's smile even bigger. "No, I'm Laura Romano, Robert's sister. He's down by the lake with his dog." Elizabeth nodded and left without introducing herself. She was too upset with Romano at the moment to be cordial.
When she reached the sand she could see the shadow of Romano. He was sitting down near the lake edge tossing the stick for Gretel. Elizabeth took no time to walk over to him. Once she got a suitable distance to him she began to yell. "How dare you! You scared me half to death!" Romano turned around as he heard her voice. He raised his eyebrows and spoke back. "Nice to see you too Lizzie." His sarcasm was very under appreciated at the current juncture. Noticing Elizabeth walking closer to him, Romano stood to meet her. "How irresponsible can you be? What were you thinking not letting me know where my child is?" Romano was shocked as he listened to Elizabeth yell. He didn't think that having Ella stay with him would get this kind of reaction. "I'm sorry! I just didn't think." he started before Elizabeth interrupted him. "Exactly! You didn't think! You don't have a child and you don't understand what a big deal it is to say to someone, to say to me, you will take care of a child and then screw up!"
"I didn't screw up! I just."
"You just didn't think! You just never think! Whether it's about someone's child, someone's feelings." by now Elizabeth had started to cry. She knew Romano didn't deserve all of this for tonight, but he did for leaving things the way he did on their last meeting. "I just can't believe how stupid I was!" Elizabeth shouted, turning away from him and ending her tirade. "For what!" Romano yelled back. He was as equally as angry now. "For trusting you!" As Romano heard what she said he quickly came to the realization that Elizabeth wasn't just talking about tonight. "I was wrong to ever trust you! I don't know what made me think you were capable of taking care of anyone but yourself."
This was it for Romano. He was tired of getting yelled at. Before Elizabeth could get another insult out he tossed away any qualms he had about yelling back. "Then go the fuck inside and get her!" he spat out before turning around and throwing the stick he had in his hand as hard as he could. Elizabeth stood frozen trying to replay the situation in her head. She felt the wind blow against her as she watched Romano walk away. It had been the first time that night that she had felt cold. Replaying his last words, it became clear to her that they had been more hurt then angry, and after she watched him for a moment she was sure.
The stick stopped with a thud in a fine layer of snow. Romano had inadvertently thrown it close to the frozen ice of the river scaring Gretel away from retrieval. "Damn dog." He mumbled as he walked over to the waterside. He bent down to pick up the stick. As he did his eyes caught a glimpse of a chunk of ice floating in the lake. Seeing it made a small grin form on his face as his thoughts ran back to their day at the ice rink. His memory was ruined by a tug at his arm. The touch came on his left side and made him jump. He turned to capture the sad image of Elizabeth's tearing eyes. Romano tried hard to change his attitude towards her, but anger always made him do strange things.
Elizabeth didn't want to apologize for everything, since she felt she was right, but perhaps about the timing. "Are you ok?" was the best she could some up with. Romano rolled his eyes. "You don't care. You made your point very clear Elizabeth so why don't you just leave." He added, with the right amount of sneer. He wouldn't give in that easy to her. She deserved to feel bad and he would make sure she did. "Robert look. I was mad and I'm sorry for coming over and yelling like that but you don't know how badly you frightened me.just like last week." She ended on a softer note.
Romano shot her a look of resentment. "Why the hell do you care about last week? That had nothing to do with you.and it's over!" he said, putting back the tension in his throat. Elizabeth let her head drop. She knew the conversation could end badly, but if she let it go like she knew Romano wanted, it would never be brought back up. "Because I care about you. That makes me want to know when you have a bad day, or why you started a fight." Romano started to pace as she was talking. He was fed up. Never in his life had he been one to pour out emotions, and he certainly wouldn't start now. After all, he had let his guard down with her before, and he still remembered how it ended. "Pratt pissed me off! That's all there is to it. I messed up and I paid the price." All Romano wanted her to do was let it go. He was much better working with anger then he was with any real emotion.
Elizabeth took the stick from his hand and moved to walk away. She only got about twenty feet before she found a spot in the sand with no snow and sat down. Having the stick made the shaggy dog come bounding towards her. Romano was livid. He knew Elizabeth wasn't going away unless he told her something. Walking over a few feet closer to her he began to talk. "Pratt just reminded me of what scares me the most. Things I could never say, for fear that they would happen. I know everyone thinks them but when I heard it for the first time, I just lost it." his voice was now soft, barely audible in the wind. Walking closer to her, Romano reached for his dog, and ended up sitting down next to Elizabeth on the sand.
Feeling he was trying to let her in Elizabeth reached for his hand, but Romano quickly moved it away. "You know that we are the only state with a beach."
"Robert." Elizabeth said as she cut him off. She knew he was stalling. Romano took a deep breath. He promised himself a long time ago that he wouldn't fall so easily for someone, but sitting next to Elizabeth on the sand he could feel his exterior crumbling. "You know Lizzie, I tried for a long time to make a reputation for myself, and it was hard. I always had to be tough, and be the best." He stuttered as he shifted gears. "When we went out that first time I knew I was going to have to be cautious. I knew I couldn't get my heart broken again. Cause it can only break so much before you feel nothing at all. And I don't ever want to be like that, although I pretend I do." He stopped for a moment to lift his head up and look out into the night. It was beautiful. " I told myself that if all we ever were was friends, that I would be ok. That I wouldn't have to hurt. So I made a perfect plan." Stopping again, he removed the hat he was wearing and set it on his knee. Bringing his hand up to his face, he pinched the bridge of his nose before starting again. "That if I ended our relationship, you would hate me and I.I would never be in love with you. But sitting here tonight, I realize somehow I messed up... Cause I fell for you anyway."