Michael watched Sarah over his menu while they waited for their drink orders. The feeling of finality was hanging in the air around their table. Sarah glanced up, almost as if she could feel his eyes upon her and gave him a reassuring, yet shy, smile, then went back to her menu. He knew something significant was going to happen tonight, he just wasn't sure how it was going to affect the rest of his life. He felt like this only one other time in his life and that was a year ago, right before the accident. He and Eve had been fighting, about Sarah as it turned out. He was trying to convince her that the two of them were just friends but Eve would hear nothing of it. She was crying so hard that night, he remembered feeling like a dick for making her cry. But he couldn't seem to get it through her head that he and Sarah where only friends. That Sarah was trying to help him pick out something important for her birthday. He had finally lost his temper and yelled at her. He was still yelling over her to be heard that he didn't hear her when she told him about the car that had swerved into their lane. He didn't notice until it was too late and they had hit the car head-on.
Sarah had decided on what she wanted to order for dinner and had set her menu down. She had moved closer to Michael to talk to him about her decision when she noticed the look on his face. He was thinking about the accident again. She shook her head sadly as she moved closer to him. She was reaching for his hand when he suddenly jolted out of the booth, mumbling something about needing some air. Sarah watched him leave the restaurant, knowing there was nothing she could do for him until he regained his composure. She asked the waiter to come back again, when her companion had returned from his time outside.
Michael stepped outside and leaned against the side of the building. He felt that he was betraying Eve, even now that she was gone, by being here with Sarah. But Sarah had understood and had been there to hold his hand through everything, the funeral preparations, the wake and, of course, the funeral. He was torn with his feelings towards Sarah that seemed to be growing every day and the betrayal he felt he was doing with Eve.
She watched him from her spot in the shadows across the street, a cruel smile forming on her lips. She was happy to see him suffering still. He seemed to be suffering even more now, a year later, than he did the day of the accident. She wasn't sure how long she would have to watch, but knew he would eventually destroy himself and take Sarah down with him. She turned towards her companion, "How much longer, do you think, before he is looking for his much needed release?"
She watched him as he paced in front of the restaurant, taking deep breaths. She knew where his mind was and what he was feeling. She looked back at her companion, waiting for the answer to her question. "Soon, I think. Though not as soon as you would like, I'm afraid," was the answer. It surprised her but there wasn't much she could do about it. Her companion knew better than she did how long it would take for Michael to be ready for what she could give him, what her companion had given her.
Michael's back began to itch; it was feeling he was not familiar with. He felt like he was being watched but when he whirled around and looked into the dark shadows around the restaurant, he could see nothing or no one. He shrugged and headed back inside to join Sarah. He knew he needed to face whatever she had planned head on, or he would just be failing himself as well as her, not to mention Eve's memory. He stopped just inside the door and looked at Sarah. He knew that she wanted something, some sort of decision to her unasked question, but he wasn't sure if he could give it to her tonight.
Sarah followed Michael's movements with her eyes as he made his way, slowly, back to their table. Their drinks had already arrived and the waiter was hovering nervously to get their food orders. She moved over so that Michael could take his seat and no sooner had he sat the waiter came over asking what they would like to order. Sarah ordered the fish with lemon sauce and Michael ordered a steak medium rare. While they waited for their food, Sarah moved a little closer to Michael, "It's time we talked, Michael. Really talked." she said as she reached out to hold his hand. He nodded once while looking down at their hands. Sarah swallowed hard as she began, "I know you have been through a lot, losing Eve just last year but you need to remember that she was my best friend and I lost her too. I know you are still grieving but I wanted to let you know that I will wait for you until you are ready to move on." Having said what she needed to say, she moved back to the corner of the booth and waited for Michael to answer her.
© DJ Shaw
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