(At Starbucks)

"Kathleen, you've got to snap out of it! I've never seen you this way before." Christina said.

Kathleen sighed and stirred her latte.

"Look, I know you're hurting, but you've got to move on with your life. What about your writing career?"

Kathleen looked at her friend. "You know, Christina. Somehow, it doesn't seem that important anymore."

Christina watched helplessly as Kathleen rose from her seat and tossed her latte into the trash can.

"Kathleen, wait! Don't leave!" Christina called to her.

But Kathleen was already walking out the door.

Kathleen walked down the sidewalk, seemingly unaware of the coldness that enveloped her body. Tears blurred her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She'd done enough crying to last a lifetime.

Unaware of where she was going, she suddenly found herself in front of a familiar brick building. She'd been here a hundred times before and yet it felt as though she hadn't been here in ages.

A strange sense of nervousness came over her as she hurried up the stairs, just in time to catch someone walking out. She went through the doorway and up the two flights of stairs that took her to # 413.

She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Her heart beat faster, when, after a moment's silence, she heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps and then the clicking of the lock.

Suddenly the door opened.

"Kathleen!"
She smiled as Frank greeted her with a hug.

"Hey, I've been worried about you. How are you doing?" he asked.

"Oh, well... You know, keeping busy." She responded.

"Great, I'm glad. So what brings you here?"
"I-I just thought we could talk."

Frank seemed surprised. "Oh. Okay. Well, have a seat. Would you like a drink?"
"No, thank you. I'm fine."
He led her to the sofa and sat down next to her.

"So what's on your mind?" he asked.

"Um, well... I think we should talk about us." She said.

The expression on his face softened. "Kathleen..."
"I-I just... I think we made a big mistake. Or I did, anyway. I took you for granted, Frank."

He reached out and touched her cheek. "No, you're wonderful. You could never take anyone for granted."
She blushed, as though Frank were a boy she had a crush on. "Thanks."
"It's the truth, Kathleen."

She stared at him for a minute.

"Well, I did and I feel terrible. You deserve so much more than that. I want you to be happy, Frank."
"Well I am happy." Frank said. "I want the same for you. And you'll find it, Kathleen. I promise."

He rose from the sofa, but she grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"Kathleen, what..."
Before he could finish she wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him.

Frank pulled away from her; stunned by the gesture.

"Wh-why did you do that?"

Unfazed by the severity of his words, she smiled. "Because I love you, Frank."
He swallowed hard. "Kathleen..."

"We had something special, Frank. I just didn't realize it. I'm so sorry. I want to be with you again."

Frank stared at her in disbelief. He took her hands in his, caressing them. "Kathleen, I don't know what to say."
She smiled and touched his face. "Don't say anything. Just come home with me."

He sat silently, as though pondering the request.

"I... I don't know how to tell you this... But I don't love you."
"Look, I know we said that before, but things are different now." She said.

Frank sighed. "No, Kathleen. You don't understand. I care about you, Kathleen, you're a wonderful person. But I'm in love with Sydney Ann. In fact, we're getting married."

Kathleen swallowed hard.

Of course... She couldn't believe she had forgotten about Sydney Ann. When she tried to speak, no words came out.

Frank touched her shoulder. "Kathleen, is this about Joe Fox?"

"I-I should really go. I'm sorry I bothered you. Take care, Frank."
He followed her to the door. "Don't leave, please."

Without waiting for him to respond, she ran down the stairs, ignoring him calling her name.