Sara climbed the steps to her apartment at about 8:30am. Leaving work on time was a welcome miracle. She was exhausted. Grissom's plane was scheduled to land in roughly an hour. He hadn't called during his layover and she was unsure he would make the effort to call when he landed.
She gasped in surprise at the sight of the plant on her doorstep. It was the same species Grissom sent her years ago. She knew it must be from him. Setting both the plant and keys on the entryway table, Sara carried the card to dining room table and sat down. She opened the envelope cautiously, almost fearful of its content. Sara began to read.
Sara,
I liked your song very much, but I felt it was missing a verse. I dedicate the following to you.
Love, Gil
A heartbeat skip, relationship
It bends, but never breaks.
A tender kiss upon your lips
Always my breath you take.
A sudden slip, but you
Forgive the tears I make you cry.
A real-life script of how
My love for you will never die.
Forget the lonely years
That complicate our painful past.
Please take the message
That you taught me how to live at last.
I said my confidence
It gets stronger when you're next to me.
As one, joined in mind and heart
Is how we will forever be.
You won't crumble, I won't let you fall again.
(I'm missing you.)
You won't crumble, I won't let you fall again.
(I'm missing you.)
You won't crumble, I won't let you fall again.
I'm your everlasting friend.
I will be coming home.
Your everlasting friend, I will be coming home.
An hour later, Sara had read Grissom's note ten times. She went so far as to play the actual song, but sing the modified lyrics.
She answered the phone after its first ring.
"Hi," she said in a low voice.
"I wanted you to hear it from me, not just a note. I will be coming home. I am your everlasting friend."
"And I am yours," Sara replied.
"I love you."
"I love you too."