Chapter 6: Denying Him

"So, he spent the night at your house?" Maya asked. The three women were walking through the park on a Saturday, two days after Leo spent the night at Karone's house.

"Yeah, he did," Karone replied.

Kendrix sighed as she looked down at the ground. "He loves you, you know," she commented. Karone sighed and shook her head.

"Me? No, I'm just a widow with two kids," Karone insisted.

"To him, you're an angel," Maya stated.

Karone stopped short and looked at them. "Guys, I can't fall in love with Leo its too soon," she insisted. Maya walked over and placed a hand on Karone's shoulder.

"Karone, it has been months since Zhane's death. You have to move on," Kendrix insisted.

"I can't move on, Kendrix. I still have a hard time getting Zhane's death out of my head at night. I'm too afraid to fall in love with Leo," Karone explained.

Maya sat Karone down. "Karone, you came here to start over. Dwelling on Zhane's death won't help you start over," she pointed out.

"How would you know? Huh? You have Mike, your precious husband. You also have Matthew and Morgan. Don't you dare start lecturing me about starting over because you don't have to have that chance," Karone snapped.

Maya stepped back in disbelief and sighed sadly. Karone saw that she had hurt her friend and stood up. "Maya, I-I'm sorry," she apologized.

"No, you're right. I don't have to start over with my life, but I do know what its like to get hurt," she stated.

She walked over to the playground to a little boy and a little girl. "Matt, Morgan, we're going home," she informed. She picked Morgan up and held Matt by the hand. Karone got up.

"MAYA, WAIT!" She called.

Maya stopped and looked over at her. She then walked back over. Karone could see the hurt in her eyes. "You know what, Karone. I know what its like to lose people you love. I lost my people. My friend, my family were all turned to stone. So, don't you dare start telling me that I have no idea what it feels like to lose people you love," she snapped.

She then walked away with her two children. Kendrix looked over at the girl and saw that Karone was stunned. "Karone, you had hurt Maya with those words. She does know what its like to lose people you love. Remember that. Listen, I've got to go. I'll talk to you later," Kendrix stated. She then walked away. Karone sighed and then she decided to take her kids home.

Later that day, Karone and Leo were walking on the beach. "Listen, Leo, I'm sorry about having my troubles put on your shoulders," she apologized.

"Don't worry about it, Karone. I care about you," he assured

Karone sighed and then she looked at him. He touched her face and smiled at her. Karone smiled back and then she felt his lips press against hers. She kissed him back, but then she pushed him away. "I can't!" She gasped. She started to walk away when he grabbed her arm.

"Karone, wait," he insisted.

"No, I can't wait. I just did something wrong," she stated.

"You didn't do anything wrong."

"Yes I did. I kissed another man."

"Karone, Zhane is gone and he's never coming back."
"I KNOW THAT!"

"You know that, then you know that he'd want you to move on with your life and not dwelling on the past. I'll do anything you want. What do you want?"
"What I want is to wake up and find my husband holding me in his arms."

She then walked away in tears.