Part III

 

 

But only empty words passed her lips, the sound of her exhale gave me an indication this wasn’t about hot chocolate or dry clothing, and I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to venture into her world any longer, but when I gazed into her eyes. They pulled me in, my heart and willingness were captured by her gray skies and clouds which I prayed were filled with silver linings. “I’m sorry. I’m pushing up on you, and you don’t even know me from Adam…..” I said as a feeling of defeat washed over me.

 

“No Mike it’s not you.” She began to shiver. “I……..I just……….I just got dumped by my boyfriend, and I guest I’m not really feeling men right now. You really seem to be a sweet guy and all. But you guys always start off that way. You fool us. You capture our interest, then you capture our heart, and in a flash you run off with our love. It’s so heartbreaking to give someone……….”

 

I cut her off, “To give someone your everything. You fool so foolish for allowing yourself to become so open. Wide open. To make this person your world, your very reason to live and they betray you. You feel so crash you can’t even hurt, too damn numb to feel pain. The world makes no sense to you. You actually feel like checking out. A passing thought you give some serious weight……”

 

She continue, “You feel that no one can fill that spot…..so you bend your rules, your standard and accept the fact you’re second in this person’s life and you’re willing to accept any position, just as long as they keep you near.”

 

And I said, “Then they look at you in discuss, as if they stepped in dog shit or something, then you know just how low you sunk………. Yeah I think I know what you mean Mz. Appleonia, I have a clue….. Look come let me put you in a cab and I won’t accept no as an answer.”

 

She let me walk her to the curb to heal a cap. She had tears in her eyes. I wanted to hug her, to squeeze her and make her feel better, but hell I wasn’t feeling to damn swell myself. I was dealing with lost of love. It was hard to sleep in a king size bed that bear her scent. To step into your closet and see you’re still sharing it with a ghost. A phantom of hearts. –But still I wanted to make feel better. Apple deserved some happiness. I didn’t feel as if I was the one give her all she deserved, but the least I could do is get her home so she can start on her pathway of recovery. 

 

A cap pulled up to the curve. I opened the door. She came from behind me with her head down and got in. I closed the door. I stepped to the driver’s window. He rolled it down I said to him, “Take the lady anywhere she wanna go.” Then I reached into my pocket for some change. I had no idea what this trip would cost, or how far she was going. With gas prices I knew it wasn’t going to be cheap. So I handed him a hundred and fifty dollars, “This is for the ride, if there’s any change give to the lady.” Then I handed him twenty dollars, “This is your tip.” I reached into my pocket once again, “This is my card if the ride cost more then that call me and come back here I pay the balance, okay?”

 

He shook his head, which I took as a yes. Then I remembered something, “Hold on. Stay here I’ll be right back. Don’t go no where.”

 

I took off and darted traffic. The drizzle was a fine mist now. I quickly return to the waiting cab. I asked Mz. Apple to roll down the window, and she complied. I handed her the large cup of hot chocolate, “Here I got a large, I think it’s going to be a long ride. I added marshmallows to make it creamy for you. I hope you like it that way?”

 

“That’s just the way I like it. Thank you Mike, you’re so sweet. I don’t think I can repay you….”

 

“I didn’t ask you to repay me. Just get home safely and start your healing. It’s been a pleasure meeting you. Take care of yourself.” I said and stepped back away from the cab.

 

The car pulled away. She said something but I couldn’t make it out, the sound of the city upstaged her. Humph, I didn’t understand what just took place only that I was out of a hundred and seventy-six bucks. I had got myself a large coffee, which I held close to my body when the sky opened up. The rains failed harder then ever as I watch the cab blend in with the others and out of site. I turned and slowly headed for my building with feelings I didn’t understand.