Marie's pov ~


Weeks after Sunday's dinner, everything went to normal as for the reality of our situation. My doctors appointment. And when we return home, he'd retreat to his home office / study. It's nothing new really but he's doing it more often now.

I mean he still helps me out when I need him. But that's about it. When there was conversation, there's less and less. It's like he's distancing himself from me ever more.

But isn't that what I want ? To be away from him completely, go back to my old way of life. School, I only have one friend besides him, the dates that go nowhere.....

What am I thinking ? Really ? I don't even know what is what anyone. If I got back to the way I was living before everything happened. I could picture it now...

The looks of pity, the talks of why's and what's. This sort of thinking had my stomach churning in knots.

We've not even spoken about him giving the divorce I so desperately wanted. And about him staying until I was better. But those days are coming on fast. It made me feel like once the divorce is final, I'd never see or hear from him again.

It's like I'm being tugged in two directions. One part is mad at him for what he has done, wants him to pay in some shape or form. And the other wants to think that we've been friends for so long. What if that night was both are faults. We were both drinking, one thing lead another but when I wanted to stop. He didn't listen.

His face looked to be truly apologetic then and now. He'd said sorry every chance he'd get.

Did I need to forgive him ? To move on with my life. Or was it to forgive and forget, pushed him totally out of my life. Pushing him out would be tricky because of course our parents are friends.

Maybe I wouldn't show up to family gatherings. But I wouldn't let one person keep me away from family. Or I could just ignore him if he even showed up to any of them.

So could I just throw away sixteen years of friendship. Or have a serious discussion about it, not mention the divorce in the conversation. Just talk like we used to in the past.


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Three weeks later, we were at the hospital because today was the day I'd get my cast off. I was officially tired of having to use crutches. Plus I was kind of glad that I would be able to get around without Stephan helping me.

" Well Marie everything seems to be set, We'll have to set up appointments for your rehab, " the doctor explained once my cast was off, examined.

" Yeah I know. I thought I wouldn't have to see the hospital again, I was free, " I nervously joked, wondered if Stephan would say anything about it.

But he said nothing, just continued to listen to the doctor. He shook his hand as we were finished with the appointment.

....................

At home now, I sat down on the couch, I stretched my legs out, wiggled my toes, smiled. But instantly felt many emotions from sad to angry to regret to disappointment. I started getting antsy because Stephan hadn't spoken to me much since this morning.

Then I heard an noise which I'm guessing he was starting lunch because it was about that time anyways. Then there was a loud bang like something had crashed to the floor, an a slew of curse words came after. So I rushed in there to see what happened.

I saw Stephan holding his finger on his left hand, blood.

" What?! How did this happen ? " I asked, going over to help him, examine the damage he'd done. But upon inspection, it wasn't a deep wound. Just a tiny slice that would heal if taking care of properly.

" It's alright. Let me get the first aid kit, " I told him, was about to rush off to get it but was pulled back into his arms, against Stephan's chest. And he held a few seconds before speaking.

" Please stay with me. Please Marie, don't stay mad because I would spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you, " he held me more tighter, I felt wetness on the back of my neck.

Was he crying ? So I turned around, sure enough he was, it broke my heart. And I felt I couldn't stop what I was about to do next.

I lifted up on my toes, planted a kiss upon his beautiful mouth.

" I can't anymore. Let's make a clean break. "

I truly thought it was for the best.



........................



Stephan's pov ~


I could believe it, that Marie was doing what she was, it felt so right even though I probably didn't deserve it. But our lips moved in that age old dance. Before I knew it, I had placed her on the kitchen counter.

It was just me and her that was here, enjoying this pleasure. The more she moaned the more I wanted to give her more. But I had to know if we were on the same page as I thought this was going so pulled back. Even though I didn't want to.

" Marie ? Are sure about this ? "

And she answered " Yes, " as she pulled me back to her, we continued to make out. Until I heard a buzzing in my ear. It sounded like my phone. I tried to ignore the constant noise. It became all too much as I tried to focus on Marie in this joyous moment. But the sound kept getting louder and louder until I felt myself move, realised I was still in bed.

It was my cell phone alarm, I reached over to turn it off. But my hand brushed something, it fell to the floor. I looked to the floor, it was something that Marie left behind.

I couldn't stop these dreams of what could've been. Even though it's been almost three years since I last seen her. My best friend that I took advantage of, wished I could have done things the right way.

I could say we went our separate ways but it seemed she just went away. I knew our friendship would never be the same. I wanted to at least have seen her from time to time but she hasn't even showed up to our family gatherings such holidays as Christmas and Thanksgiving.

But Thanksgiving was just around the corner. I wasn't expecting to see her. Because she probably didn't come because I was present every year.



.......................


Thanksgiving Day


I was running late, my mom called me like five times to see if I was on my way.

I parked my car along with the many other ones. Because my family loved doing any holiday big.

I got out my car, walk to the front entrance to my parents house.

And opened the door to plenty of family and friends. In conversations and merriment, laughing. My ears tuned in on one particular voice, I couldn't believe it. I walked farther in the house where everyone was gathered in the family living room.

Then I spotted her standing next to my mom and cousin. She was smiling at something my mother said. And right on time or not, my mom noticed me.

" Hey everyone ! Stephan's here ! " she announced, coming over to me, pulling in to a hug, planting a big one on my left cheek. As I stepped back from my mother. Marie was looking right at me. We stared at each other for seconds in which felt like forever, then she turned the other way that lead to the kitchen.

I wanted to go after her but I felt it wasn't wise so I went on to saying hello, giving hugs to those who gave me that type of attention, affection.


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After everyone sat down, said grace, ate the food that was presented to us. Some of us were spread throughout the house. And I haven't spoken a word to Marie. I don't know I felt vibes that said stay away or it was just in my own mind. Or it could've been both.

So on my next thought, I decided to go out to the back deck to get some fresh air. And when I opened the sliding glass door, stepped out I noticed someone sitting in one of the patio chairs.

It was Marie looking up at the night sky. I watched for a couple of seconds then I decided I couldn't stand here, say nothing.

" Hey, " I said causing her to jump a little, turned around when she saw it was me.

" Hey ? " she said nervously.

Then I set down next to her, was surprised she didn't instantly bolt.

" How have you been ? " I asked, our conversation went on for hours.





.........................




Fifty years later~


" Grandpa ? Tell me again how you and Grandma met, " this cheeky little girl asked her grandfather for the umpteenth time.

" Why girly ? " I sighed as I took my seat on patio couch looking out on this beautiful day.

" But please.... " she begged grabbing onto my arm, sat down next to me.

" Well okay then. We met when we was just about your age. And I knew she was the one but grandpa messed up, spent many years to get her back. But it was all was worth it, " I told her, smiled.

" And what happened next ? " she asked even though she's heard this story so many times.



" And........


































Well the ending it's open to interpretation. I hope every one enjoy this story. And thanks to all that stuck with it till the end. 😉