Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
I stand in his arms for a while, but it doesn't seem like it's been nearly long enough when I finally pull myself away from him and wipe my eyes. "Don't you get tired of me crying on your shoulder?" I try to laugh, but all I can manage is a weak variation that's closer to a cough.
"No." I'd wanted to lighten the mood, but when I look up at him, I see that I've done the exact opposite. "I'm here when you need me. That's not going to change because you're in Boston instead of Hartford. I'm a phone call away, and my car gets good gas mileage." We both laugh. "Seriously, though, let me know if you need anything."
His cell phone rings and we both jump. I read the engraving on my bracelet again while he talks. "Yeah . . . I know. I'm sorry. . . . I'm on my way." I look back up, when he's finished. "That was, Winny," he explains. "She's watching Rebecca for me, and I was supposed to be home by now."
"Well, you better get home." I turn to walk him to the door.
"Wait." He catches my hand in his and slides the bracelet out of my grasp. "We have to make sure it fits." I hold my arm up so that he can connect the two clasps around my wrist. He turns it so that the I.D. is on top then takes my hand and gently pulls me towards the lamp table at the other end of the sofa. He tilts my wrist so that the bracelet catches the light from the lamp. "What do you think?"
"I think it's perfect."
"So do I," he says. He pulls me toward him and kisses me on the forehead. It's a light kiss, but it's too much for the little composure I had left. I close my eyes but the tears slide down my cheeks anyway. I open them when I feel him move away. "Goodbye, Amy."
"Goodbye, Bruce." I feel something give way inside my chest as soon as I speak and I can feel a little more break away with each step as I follow him to the door.
He turns around when we're there. "Stop crying, okay." I can tell I'm making him worry. I nod because I know that speech isn't possible right now.
He leans over to kiss me again, on the lips this time, but with the same purpose as before, comfort, but before he can pull away it turns into something else. The hand that was at my chin, moves to my waist, and the other to my back, while my fingers lace themselves around his neck. Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I try to remind myself that I'm with Stu and Bruce is with Zola, but then I feel his mouth open above mine and I can't help following his lead.
Eventually we start to feel the effects of oxygen deprivation and pull apart. I drop my hands to his shoulders, but he keeps his where they are. "I have to go, but . . . ."
He doesn't' want to leave things unfinished. Neither do I, but this isn't the time. "I know," I say.
"Yeah," he chuckles. "Um, I know you'll be busy tomorrow, but call me when you get there."
It's a question as much as it is a statement. He's as unsure about what just happened here as I am, but I know we're both intrigued by the possibilities. "I will," I tell him.
He smiles and gives my hand a squeeze, before opening the door and walking toward the sidewalk. I watch him, and when he's nearly to his car his cell rings again. "I know . . . I'm coming . . . I'll owe you a favor, alright . . . fine, a big one," I hear him say. He waves as he pulls away. I finally close the front door after I wave back.
I walk back up stairs and into my room smiling. Mom looks at me and I know immediately that she knows. "So you and Stu?" she asks.
"I . . . um . . . it . . . ."
"I thought as much," she smiles. "I never liked him anyway."
The End . . . for now