disclaimer: somewhere around here...

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"Sara?"

"Don't."

"Are you crying?"

"No."

"You're crying."

"I said I'm not."

"You said 'no'."

"Same thing."

"Spelled differently, Sara."

"Stop it."

"You got any more negative words in store?"

"Nope."

"That's new."

"I know."

"Now that's different, Sara."

I can't help but smile at this angel I'm holding, afraid of letting go because I might wake up from this dream and she'll be gone.

My forever secret angel. And here we are on the dance floor and I'm hoping against hope that the song will never end.

"You're crying, Sara."

"Not."

Well, okay then. You were crying."

"Had something in my eye."

"... aside from tears?"

"Something got in my eye."

"In the middle of the dance floor, while you're eyes were closed..."

"Catherine, just drop it, okay?"

"Can't."

"And why?"

"Because I want to catch it."

"What?"

"You heard me, Sidle. Come on, I need another drink before we go."

And that was that. As much as I'm trying to understand all that has been happening, I just can't.

I follow her back to our table. She's still holding my hand. There is something deep inside me that is telling me something is happening, but of course, I just leave it there. Buried.

I've held on to the hope that there would be something more, but that was years ago. And nothing has happened. So why all of the sudden I'm being hopeful again?

Maybe?

Not.

Maybe not.

Ah, hell...

We sit down on our booth, she picks up her beer and takes a swig. "You're driving?"

I smile. It's a statement, but she has to ask anyway. Very cute. "You want me to drive, Catherine?"

"Well, since you're offering to drive, I'll take another beer. It's been a long time since I've had a girl's night out like this. And you're good company." She grabs my beer and places it in her imaginary territory. That would be her fourth if she finishes both of our beers. I guess this is her way for me to stop drinking before I go over board. In a way it is sweet of her.

I sit back and watch her take another drink from her half empty bottle. I like the way how the tip of the bottle touches her lips, she does it in a very sexy way. She slowly lifts the bottle midway and I watch the fluid from the bottle run through. Then she closes her eyes. I can tell by the movement of her neck how much she's taking in.

One...two...three...four. Four swigs. Damn! The lady knows her beer!

She puts the bottle down slowly, wipes her lips with the back of her hand.

Oh, I tell you, only Catherine can make drinking so sexy.

"Why am I so interesting, Sara?"

"Pardon?"

"You keep on staring at me."

"I already told you why."

"Because you wonder..."

"Right."

"Well, do you know what I wonder about, Sara?"

Oh, god...I'm not ready for this. "Uh, you really don't have to finish the other beer."

"I want to. Plus I need to talk to you."

"Uhhh...You can just tell me not to drink it and I wont, Catherine."

"I know."

"Well then, thanks anyway."

"You know I do care what happens to you, Sara."

"Really?"

"Yes. We're friends. Friends care for each other."

Ouch. That stings. Friends. How can one word be so dissapointing?

okay, let 'er rip. i'm open to comments, suggestions, hello's, reviews...

Happy holidays, too.