Right Here Waiting
Robbie ran into Laura at the hospital. They looked at each other awkwardly then he asked. "Care to take a walk with me." She nodded and they left. They walked in silence for a bit when suddenly he said. "Went to sea in a sieve."
She looked up at him. "What's that?"
"I went to visit Dr. Ganza and he was reading to his wife."
She nodded. "What's he going to do?"
He shrugged. "Go on reading. He's going to stay with her."
"I spoke to her surgeon. There's no chance of recovery. Absolutely none."
"Yeah, I know. He knows. But he's staying."
She paused then asked. "Out of guilt?"
He looked at her. "Maybe, more out of love I think."
They stopped walking and looked at one another. "Sorry Robbie."
He snuffed. "You don't have to be. It's not as if we…"
She smiled at him. "Yeah."
"Think Ganza really proves it doesn't it."
"Proves what?"
"That you don't get many chances. You don't want to waste them." They gazed at one another realizing what he is saying. "Can I buy you a coffee, Laura?"
She smirked. "Coffee?"
"Something stronger?"
She smiled and nodded. "Sounds a bit more like it."
They made their way to the Trout, ordered their drinks and found a seat. Sitting in companionable silence they sipped their drinks.
Finally Robbie broke the silence. "I'm the one who should have apologized. Not you." He turned to her, "I acted like a jealous school boy and I didn't have a right to."
"Robbie, it's OK. Friends can disagree, get out of step."
He shook his head, "But, that's the point, I don't want to be."
"I don't understand."
"I want to have the right, to be jealous, when some man is interested in you."
Laura stared at him, confused by his words. "What do you mean, Robbie?"
He smiled, happy to be one step ahead of her for a change, "I'm asking you on a date, Laura."
She tried to control her expression, hoping he couldn't see the answer in her eyes. Whispering, hoping to make it easier on him. "No."
"You understand I mean a date. One of those things where we get dressed up, go to a nice restaurant, I pick you up and drop you off."
She smiled, sadly, shaking her head. "I understand what you mean. I'm saying no."
His face fell, "Why not? I thought this is what you wanted."
"Why are you asking me, Robbie?"
He scoffed, unable to believe she was saying no. "Because…" He looked at her, struggling for words.
She rescued him, as she always did. "You're asking because you were jealous."
Anger flared in him, "What difference does it make why? I'm asking."
"Because you're not ready."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You're not ready for a relationship, Robbie. And, let's be very clear, when this happens between us it's going to be a relationship, not something casual. And you're not quite there yet."
"How do you know what I'm ready for?"
Smiling, she stood, stepping in front him, between his legs. She took his hands, squeezing them lightly. "Because it took the threat of losing me to get you to ask me out. When you're ready, you won't need any threat or reason, you'll just ask." He looked down unable to meet her eyes. Lifting his chin with her hand, she leaned forward. She pressed the lightest of kisses to his lips before whispering in his ear. "And when that happens, my answer will be yes."
Without another word, she turned to leave. He watched her walk away. For a brief moment, he thought about chasing after her. Then the truth of her words struck him. She was right, he wasn't ready. He'd almost let his jealousy ruin what they had. Smiling to himself, he stood all thoughts of Ganza and the horrific ending of this case gone from his mind. All he could think about was the safe knowledge someone was waiting for him when he was ready.
Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you
Laura is smart, she wouldn't have wanted to rush things. At least I think so.
Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting