Yacht Club Dreams- V

As the light turned red, she reached for the door handle About to jumpt out of the car When all of a sudden He slammed on the brakes Reaching passed her, He pulled the opening door shut. She felt his weight against her chest His close proximity unnerved her And she pressed as far back into her seat as she dared Hoping to create space, so he wouldn’t sense The mad pounding of her heart. “That was not wise,” he said. His voice was not angry, but tired, sad. “You could have gotten hurt if a motorcyclist was passing by.” “I’m a big girl,” she shot back hotly. “I think I can handle myself.” He sighed.. “Listen, whether you like it or not Or you find my presence repulsive or not, I promised your brother to get you home safely And I will honor my word.” The light changed, and he continued driving, But not before he said softly, “I’m sorry I reacted strongly. My wife died in a car crash. It was avoidable.” She could hear the anguish in his voice And as she turned to look at him She noticed that the cloud of memory Was producing rain out of those sky blue eyes “I’m...I'm so sorry,” she whispered. Without even thinking… She reached across and touched his arm. He looked at her His expression pained and yet, There was a tenderness in his eyes He seemed to be looking right into her heart Knowing about her pain Reading her frustration with disappointed love But how could he know “Love like that comes once in a lifetime,” she whispered Shocked at her impulsiveness She looked down at her hands “You are so like her,” his voice was pained. This was one confession she did not want to hear Nor would she absolve it. “You have her spirit: carefree, bold, passionate, full of life, wild, and”….. He looked straight at her, “amazingly beautiful.” He pulled into her street and parked the car outside Her apartment building. Before she could thank him, he was out of the car. Coming to her side, he opened the door Gave her his hand and helped her out. “This is not necessary, really,” she protested. “I’m a man of my word. I said I’d see you home safely. I won’t leave till you are inside.” Eileen Manassian Ghali To be continued....