by Leen Elle
"Do you realize we're three hours away form home? You're going to make him drive all that way because you're uncertain."
"Yes I am and he will happily come to ease my mind."
"Can't separate rooms and locks ease you mind?"
"Not unless we go there immediately and remain there for the rest of the trip. I don't trust you enough Aidan to be alone with you yet. I only agreed to this because you said your friends were coming."
"Unless you intend on driving me home I'm calling Colin." As she declared her intentions her cell rang and she made haste to open it. "Hello? Colin, I'm glad it's you!"
"Maybe we should just call the weekend off," Aidan moped in the background.
"Look Promise, I'm sorry I got all hot head about your night with Aidan. If he's who makes you happy then… who am I to stand between you?" He said with obvious pain in his voice. After his initial apology she hadn't heard a word.
"Colin, I need you to come after all. It turns out Aidan's friends couldn't make it and I'm not comfortable staying alone with him."
"You're alone with him right now aren't you?"
"Yeah."
"Stupid jock probably…" she heard muttered over the line.
"Are you coming or not, Colin?"
"I'll be there. Is the sleepover called off to?"
"By the pout on his face I'd say so."
"Pack up your stuff then. I'll be there in five."
"Five? If you think you're getting here in five anything I better give you directions."
"I don't know where you are, do I?"
"You haven't the foggiest."
"Better give me those directions then."
Nervously Selah slid her purse on her shoulder and pulled her hair out from the high bun she'd been working with it in. Fluffing her curls, she applied her lipstick with a shaky hand and stared at her reflection the mirror sure her fear was written plainly in the depths of her eyes. Taking a fortifying breath she slipped her apron over her head and smoothed her dress into place. Did she look modest enough? Was her appearance plain enough?
Poking her head out the restroom door she scanned the crowds for Michael. Spotting him at the counter she was able to smile faintly. However when she looked around for Dante his presence was missing. Selah bit her lip but comforted herself in the fact Michael's heart would be in whatever he did. He wasn't much to look at but he was bright. However with her hot headed Asian, brains may not be enough. Maybe his height would at least be intimidating. Where was Dante's brawn when you needed it? Probably playing football because he forgot, she groaned mentally.
Haruko stumbled in the door as she snuck out of the restroom and when he spotted her he called to her across the restaurant. "Selah!"
She hurried to meet him giving the patrons about the room that stared at her apologetic smiles. Reaching him she found herself dragged down into the unoccupied booth that they stood beside.
"What did you want to talk about Haruko?"
"This deal we had. You ain't holding up your end of it."
"I never promised you anything but a chance," Selah informed him hoping her voice wasn't trembling too greatly, "and I gave you that."
"Well I want more now."
"This is a business deal, Haruko. You can't make me love you."
"I can try." His hand lashed out and he grabbed her pulling her across the table and leaning towards her with purpose.
"Hey Sey, sorry I'm late. Is he here yet?" Selah buried her face in her hands. With brain-mouth coordination like that it was a good thing Dante was mostly brawn.
"What was I thinking?" Promise questioned as she absentmindedly stroked Alex's head. "I had a bad feeling about it from the moment Aidan suggested it to and I went anyway. Why did I go against my gut feeling?"
Alex purred below her fingertips inclined her head to receive the maximum amount of affection per inch. "Am I that desperate to win his affections? Can I trust his affections? I want to give Aidan a chance but everything he does makes me uneasy."
Would she ever be comfortable around him? Could she ever learn to trust him after what he'd done to her? She wanted to but there was something about Aidan even now that put her on edge. That feeling her was hiding something from her; what hidden agenda did he operate on? Or was she just being paranoid?
"I'm running circles around myself. I keep trying to make this work but I'm not any closer to him now than I was six months ago or for that matter seven years ago. Am I getting anywhere?"
Alex mewed plaintively below her fingers. "What do you think, Alex? Is Mike right?"
Before Alex could reply the phone rang and Promise hurried to answer it. "Hello?"
"Hey Prick, how are you recovering? You seem kind of upset when I brought you home last night."
"I just wasn't sure what to think of the whole thing."
"If it was just coincidence what is there to think about?" After a moment Colin added, "if it's not why are you still going steady with him?"
"It's not steady anymore, Colin. I'm all mixed up about what to do about Aidan."
"You know my stand on the issue but sit down and let's talk."
"Talking to you won't do me any good," she admitted honestly, "don't take offense, Colin, but the person I really need to talk to is Aidan."
"He probably won't be in a very good mood after this weekend."
"I know but I've been putting this little powwow off too long already."
"I think this is a little more serious than a powwow, Promise."
"I know. It's just… I know," she surrendered, finally out of excuses after six months of debate.
"Talk it out with him, Promise. If it's meant to be things will work out."
"Why… what changed your mind about Aidan?"
"I haven't changed my mind just my approach. You need to see what Aidan really is with your own eyes. I'll be here to pick up the pieces as always."
"And if we work this out? If I marry him?"
"If he's what truly makes you happy who am I to stand in the way? I'll be in the crowd."
"I'd rather you by my side."
"You know Aidan would never allow it. When you take his hand things can never be the same. He'll be your husband and I'll have to step back."
But she didn't want anything to change between them. Colin had always been there for her. Could she trust Aidan for that? Promise was surprised at her hesitance to answer.
She didn't want security, she reminded herself. She wanted love, affection, passion like she'd never known before. Aidan offered her all those things freely. Colin had never offered her anything but friendship.
But when a drought of understanding came who would be willing to walk through it with her? Was her relationship with Aidan a dream come true or just a dream? Half the time Colin acted more like her ideal boyfriend than Aidan. Colin just knew her better, Promise told herself. He knew how to make her smile sure but he could light her temper just as easily.
"You still with me, Prick?"
"Huh?" She shook her head to clear her confusion and responded, "yeah."
"Do you even know what you just agreed to?"
"No," she answered with a sigh, "you going to tell me?"
"Nah," Colin's voice responded, "I should be getting to bed."
"Ok then I'll see you… but I won't. I have to set a time to meet with Aidan. There's no use putting this off." Promise became planning with herself, mumbling to arrange the words with more precision. If she did this then she could do that and then…
"Hey Promise?" when she made an attentive sound he continued in a subdued tone, "I want you to know what no matter how this turns out I'll still…"
"Still what, Colin?"
"Still be there for you," he responded with an awkward waver in his voice. "I need to go." She opened her mouth to tell him good night and whispered the words to a whining dial tone.
Colin shoved the phone in its cradle and stared at it, whispering a quiet oath under his breath. "What's the matter with you man?" Se
an asked from where he reclined on the couch.
His uniform was scrunched and wrinkled but at least he was in one. If Colin ignored the fact it was for the McDonald's down the road and that the house smelled of fries he could almost be happy about it. But Sean's occupation wasn't his problem. Presently the only dilemma he wanted to be burdened with was far bigger than if he would like fries with that.
"You wouldn't understand, Sean."
"Try me," he challenged with intent to help.
"I have," Colin replied forcing his voice higher than a growl, "you always tell me the same thing. I'm not in the mood. If you'll excuse me I need to get some sleep. My shift starts early tomorrow."
"It's that chick isn't it?"
"You've been warned to drop it."
"And I'm ignoring the warming. You need to talk." Coming off of his couch Sean wrapped his arm about his shoulder and said with a finger to Colin's chest, "we'll just stand here until you feel like spilling."
"I do not need to talk I need to sleep," Colin announced with determination as he brushed Sean off and headed towards his room.
"I still say you should just tell her," Sean called after him over the slamming door, "what do you have to lose?"
"Who's that?" Haruko raged pushing her back into her seat. "What does he mean by 'is he here yet?'"
"Meeting you again made me… uncomfortable. I asked Dante to come to…"
"Now we need a chaperone?"
"The last message you sent made me very uncomfortable. The only reason I came was because you demanded it," Selah huffed as she came to her feet beside him, "you're moving too fast for me Haruko. You've ruined your chance."
Angered, he went to grab her but Mike, the closer of the two, intervened. "Unhand her." His demand caught Haruko of guard and he was between the two before the Asian could react. "You heard her. It's time for you to leave."
"This clown too?" Haruko asked around Michael's shoulder. Selah nodded her head numbly. Discreetly clenching a fist at the height of his waist Haruko faced Michael. "Down boy. The lady and I were just talking."
The waitress that she'd mistreated earlier watched nervously from the counter by the phone looking ready to withdraw it from its cradle; Selah inclined her head calmly then turned back a scream jumping from her throat.
Mike's cheek was grazed by the attack and when Haruko pulled his second hand back again Dante wrapped a tight fist about it and squeezed. The waitress' delicate fingers danced expertly across the ivory keys against the humming dial tone. A general gasp and murmur resonated through the patrons.
Once the police had escorted an irate Haruko away Selah turned to Michael. "Why did you step between us? He wouldn't have hit me!"
"Yeah," he rejoined in a deep cynicism, "he's just the gentleman not to."
Selah looked into his eyes with wetness gathering in the corners of her own. "I should have listened to you, Mike, but I never thought it would come to this. If I had known…"
"Cheer up, Sey," Dante heartened tossing an arm about her slim shoulders jovially. "It's all over now."
"But it's not. Even if I block everything out he'll still come after me. He knows where I work. He knows…"
"Lighten up," Dante encouraged, "you just have to be more careful for a bit."
"But if I had listened to Mike," she protested.
"If you always listened to Mike you would have no fun at all."
"If she always listened to you," Mike began to growl in return.
"Please, no more fighting. There's been enough for one day."
"I agree," Mike concurred.
Defeated Dante stepped back from Selah as her head waitress approached. "Becky was able to come in for you, Miss. Donovan. We can handle it here if you need some time to recover. It must have been scary having that man come after you like that."
Taking a deep breath, Selah exhaled. "What I need is to stay busy." Her hand was shaking almost unperceivable as she removed several strands of hair from her lying on her cheek. "Yes, it's best if I stay here."
"I hate to ask this of you," Promise said switching topics over one of their evening cups of coffee, "but Mrs. Helen has been refusing her pills again."
"Why should that be any bother to me?"
"She's asked if you could come visit her. She said as long as you came she'd take her pills without complaint. She didn't want to lose another man to her stubbornness. I told her it was quite impossible but she insisted. I hate to intrude on your weekends but…"
"She doesn't think I'll buy her more roses does she? That little old lady could make me broke."
"She just wants someone to talk to."
"I bet there are a lot of patients there who just want someone to talk to," he spoke thoughtfully, his fingers running along the smooth surface of the mug. "What's one day a week for such a sweet person?"
"You're a life saver, Colin!"
"Let's not be dramatic, Prick. I know you're at your wits end with Mrs. Helen but I'm hardly a life saver. I haven't saved a single life that's come to my examination table."
"You've hardly had the chance."
"Touché my fine lady," Colin responded with a merrily compliant smile, "just the same I'm not the knight in shining armor you make me out to be. My charm is lost on all but the most time wizened of all."
"You haven't make may advances fair sir."
"My princess is locked away in a tower behind glass walls."
Promise chuckled at his poetic expression and asked teasingly, "and who is this princess of whom you speak?"
Colin choked on his coffee. "You of course fair maiden," he sent back in the most teasing tone he could muster.
"Come on, Colin. Be serious," she insisted between giggles, "who is she? Do I know her?"
"You know her but I don't want her to know. I think it's best if I don't tell you."
"But you tell me everything," she protested weakly. "Please?"
"Sorry Promise. Not this time."
She was quiet for a moment as she sipped her coffee then gave a small smile. "Aidan agreed we need to talk. I'm meeting him at the Half Shell tomorrow."
"Did he still sound upset?"
"Yeah, but understandably so. He was really looking forward to that weekend." Promise cocked her head at Colin's pressed lips. "What's wrong now?"
"I bet he was looking forward to that weekend," Colin muttered to himself.
"What do you mean by that?"
"He's still after the same thing he was in high school, Prick. Open your eyes."
"He wants to marry me," she insisted as always.
"Perhaps but that's not the only or first thing on his mind if it even is."
"What do you mean by that?"
"He wants your body, Promise."
"Is there something wrong with that? Am I not allowed to be attractive now too?"
"You know that is not what I mean. Please just be careful. I'm a guy too. I know what he's thinking."
"Then I guess I know what you're thinking too," she bristled. Colin opened his mouth to respond. But before words passed his lips she bowed her head and rested it against her fist. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. I know you're not like Ai…that."
Colin fidgeted as he stared at the top of her head. She was a very attractive woman and he was only human. Shaking his head slightly he came back to the conversation. She was looking at him with plaintive eyes begging forgiveness.
"I stepped out of line with the comment," he assured her, "I said I was going to step back and let him see him with your own eyes and I interfered."
"You do it because you care," she said staring down at the remnant of her coffee with a small smile, "I can understand. I'm not sure I could be so patient if there was a girl with questionable intentions pursuing you."
"Would you be jealous?" he teased without thinking. When she didn't reply immediately he felt his cheeks flush ever so slightly.
"I can't say," she dodged, "you never really know until you're in the situation."
It w
as as obvious as a candle in the dark she was avoiding the question but in his discomfort he let it slip away. It would have been an entangling trap to hear her reply.
Promise donned her attire carefully, taking great pains with the application of her makeup and choice of dress. Discarded outfits littered her tiny apartment. Powders of earthen hues dusted her bathroom floor where her eye shadow had fallen. Staring intently in the mirror she traced the edges of her lips with liquid color. After stepping back and observing her person she frowned but gathered her things and hurried over her home's threshold. She was late.
She spotted his casually clothed back through the storefront glass and hurried towards his pleasing persona. In her haste she caught her heel on a grasping a tree nearby she gasped and took inventory of her extremities. She had been startled by the jarring but thankfully not bruised or broken anything but her ego.
Readjusting her skirt she pushed her hand against the glassed entrance. As she watched a young woman looking vaguely familiar to her sashayed over to where Aidan sat and slid in comfortably across from him. Placing her hand upon his she began talking in low tones, her eyes flirting as she ran her fingers across the back surface of his hand. Promise held her breath unable to remove her eyes from the blurring figures. She must be his sister. Yes that was why she looked familiar but there was no resemblance between the two is face or posture.
Spellbound by what she was witnessing she failed to notice the woman's eyes falling on her. Her lips twitched in annoyance and when Aidan went to turn about she set to her characteristic theatrics.
Promise slipped away as the curtain was rising unwilling to see the final act. It would only end as it had before. It would only end in tears.
After not hearing from Selah several days he sought to initiate conversation. Boosting up his computer he logged on IM and typed up a wary yet nosey email.
So how'd it go? Even if it went badly I hope you remained unhurt. You can tell me anything good, bad, and ugly. I'm here for you, Heaven.
Tears dripped from the heartbroken email he received. He pushed back from his keyboard and paced about the room. She was so scared but she wasn't coming to him. She was coming to Eden, some stranger she didn't know she knew. What was there about Eden that Michael didn't have?