Christine and Meg wandered aimlessly through the mall, shiny new things were photographed and displayed all around them and Christine couldn't help but allow herself to give into the joy of shopping. She had two bags slung overtop her arms, filled with cheap bargains that she had found in the stores that most people pass by. Meg on the other hand had at least five different bags from the stores that everyone wished that they could buy from. True, she had only bought a pair of socks from one of the stores, but she insisted that just as long as you had the bag it didn't matter what you actually bought.
They chatted amiably about Meg's relationship as they passed by the Body Shop. Christine closed her eyes and inhaled the tempting scent of the perfumes, body rubs, and soaps, but fought the overwhelming temptation to go inside it. She had a weakness with that shop and could end up spending far too much money then was necessary. Christine's eyes snapped open as she realized that Meg was still talking about her relationship. Christine actually took a lot of pleasure in hearing about Meg's boyfriend. Meg said,
"I don't know, I guess sometimes I wish there was something more."
Christine furrowed her brow slightly, "Something more? Like what? It seems as though you two get along really well."
Meg sighed heavily and paused to look at a small handbag in the shape of a corset, "That's just it. We do get on, very well. I just wish there we're something more then just mindless making out."
Christine nodded in understanding, as they moved away from the cute bag and toward the food court.
"Don't get me wrong," Meg continued, "He's a fabulous kisser. But I don't really feel like I can just talk to him you know? He is always pushing me for more and more physical and I'm…I dunno, I'm just not ready. Not with him anyways. Now what you and Raoul have is special…"
Christine's small smile slid off her face and she suddenly felt extremely nauseous. Meg looked over at her friend and noticing her expression she pulled a face and slid her hand in front of her mouth before saying,
"Oh God, Christine I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to…"
"It's fine." Christine said softly as they sat down at one of the spindly tables. She was a little touchy on the subject of Raoul, he still hadn't called her and it had almost been a week, or had it been more then that? She couldn't say. But her heart ached when she thought of her boyfriend…or actually her fiancée.
Meg studied Christine for a second before standing up abruptly, "You know what?" she said defiantly.
"What?" Christine said, vague reluctance laced into her tone.
"I think you should call him, take charge. Tell him what a complete asshole he is for not calling you."
Christine shook her head and put her face in her hands, "I can't do that Meg. I just can't."
"Listen Christine," Meg said, her features and tone softening, "You may have said some stuff to him that you shouldn't have but that doesn't matter. He should have called you by now, I mean come on Chris, who proposes to you and then doesn't call you? It's absolutely ridiculous. He loves you. You just have to put him back in line."
Christine studied her friend carefully, she was almost physically fuming. Christine knew that it had also been hard on Meg over the past week, listening to her drone on and on about her problems with Raoul, when she herself had been going through her own problems with Peter.
"Maybe your right Meg, I'm sick and tired of waiting for him to call me. Maybe I should..."
"Damn right you should! Now what are you waiting for? Go on! You have a cell phone don't you?"
Christine's eyes widened in spite of herself, and she fiercely regretted not forgetting her cell phone at home.
"Not now."
Meg's sighed and looked as if she was going to begin another one of her endless rants before Christine held up her hands defensively and cut her off.
"Listen Meg, I can't do it right now. But when I get home, I'll call him."
Christine's eyes glided over Meg's doubtful face,
"Meg, I promise, I'll call him."
The night was dark and unforgiving, a cool breeze drifted through the empty alleyway in the city. Away from the shining lights and people lay a person, cloaked in shadow, watching, waiting for the right moment to arise. Out of a small abandoned workhouse walked another man. His hair was plastered on his head and a small cell phone lay in his hand. He walked briskly out into the cold, evening air and talked angrily into his ear.
"We're trying our best to reach our order, but we need a bit more time. Give us two weeks…that's all I need."
The man was silenced as the person on the other end of the line responded.
"But, that's impossible. I couldn't possibly…"
The man didn't say another word but merely swore under his breath and snapped his phone shut. For a moment he stared blankly around his surroundings helplessly. It was as if his very life was at stake.
The man's head snapped up as the wind whistled through the streets, for he felt a presence. But as his head turned to try and find the unknown being he found himself staring at nothing but shadows.
Only mere moments later the shadows consumed him.
In an instant he lay limp upon the pavement.
Christine drummed her fingers on her kitchen counter, staring at the phone with determination. It was ridiculous how hard the whole thing was. Surely she should be able to talk to her fiancée whenever she so pleased. But yet, every time she would pick up that phone and put it to her ear, she couldn't get past the damned dial tone.
Taking a deep breath she reached out and grabbed the phone, quickly pushing in Raoul's cell number and pressing the phone to her ear in one swift motion. Christine let her eyes slide shut and felt her body tense as the phone began to ring. Her breathing stopped as Raoul's voice answered her on the other end of the line. She had half expected to get the answering machine and was quite looking forward to it.
"Hello?"
Christine's mind drew a blank.
"Hello, is anyone there?"
She swallowed hard, and closed her eyes, trying desperately to think of something to say. She wasn't sure what she intended to accomplish by calling Raoul, but now that she was there, talking to him, everything she wanted to say to him sounded stupid.
"Christine? Christine is that you?"
Christine's eyes opened momentarily and for she cursed whoever invented caller ID.
"Yes Raoul…It's me."
There was silence at the other end of the line and Christine thought that he had hung up on here. Finally he spoke again,
"Why are you calling me?"
The question was not posed in hatred or annoyance. It was a soft question that caused Christine's heart to twist uncontrollably. Just hearing the sound of his voice made her realize how much she missed him.
"I called you…I called you because I want to see you. I want to talk to you."
For a moment there was silence and Christine feared that he would not want to see her in return.
"I want to talk to you too, Christine. I feel so horrible about the things I said…I…." his voice trailed off and Christine felt tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
"Listen," Raoul said, "Why don't we go out to dinner tomorrow and talk?"
"Sure Raoul," Christine managed out, "That sounds…wonderful."
There was an awkward silent acceptance that passed through them, and it threatened to take control of the situation. All of the words of their argument hung around them both.
"Alright," Raoul said softly on the other end of the line, "I'll see you later Christine."
"Ok. Goodbye Raoul…"
"Bye Christine."
Slowly Christine drew the phone away from her ear and with trembling hands hung up.
