Words In the Breeze

He stood across the street, watching her as he had for so many days. He put his hands into the pockets of his black pants, his white dress shirt, untucked and wrinkled, clung uncomfortably to his form. He sighed, depressed, as he watched her carry out her normal day to day routine, without him. Could you ever stop loving someone?1

"Jake," The slight pressure of a hand on his shoulder alerted him to the presence of the other person now at his side. "You have to move on. It's time to stop dwelling on your past and accept your future." 2

"But I still love her, Lincoln." Jake breathed still intently focused on the love of his well, life, as she bussed the tables. She was a beauty, gorgeous in anyone's eyes and a goddess in Jake's. "Leah." He pleaded knowing she couldn't hear him. Her wavy raven black hair was twisted into clips on the back of her head today, a few stray ringlets fell into her tan, freckled face. A warm smile set the deep dimples into her cheeks as she went about her job, seemingly carefree. Her amber eyes, glinting in the late morning light. "It's not fair Linc." He complained again. 3

"She's doing fine without you, come on Jake you need to leave." 4

He shrugged Lincoln's hand off. "I'm not ready, I want to stay for a while longer." 5

With a frown and a deep sigh Lincoln walked away, slightly hunched. "Suit yourself Jake but it isn't doing either of you any good." 6

Jake snorted at his acquaintance's departing words. What did he know about love anyway? It was going to be another long day across the street from the little café, Jake leaned contentedly on the fence of the park behind him and resumed watching Leah skate around the many customers. It was a busy day, that was good, it meant more tips for her. 7

She twirled around, a tray of steaming hot coffee and sweet smelling cinnamon rolls in one hand. Jake cringed when he saw the woman get out of her seat anticipating the collision before it happened. 8

*~*~*~*~*~*~*9

"Oh, I'm so clumsy." The woman muttered, frantically waving her arms around the fallen girl as if the uncertain movement could cool the hot coffee she was now covered in. "I'm so sorry miss, are you alright?" 10

"I'm fine." Leah lied through a pained voice and smile, biting back the screaming curses that were much better suited for this situation. She felt the coffee, hot and moist on her skin, as it stained through her apron and white blouse. 11

"Oh, I am so sorry." The woman apologized again. "I didn't see you." 12

"Leah?!" Another waitress, this one slightly smaller with short fiery red hair piled on her head with an assortment of clips, pins, and chopsticks, stepped out of the main building. "Oh, Leah, are you okay? Come on." She pushed through the useless crowd of concerned onlookers to collect her friend. "Let's get you cleaned up." 13

"Thanks Steph." Leah murmured as she helped her off the concrete. 14

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 15

"That must burn." Stephine commented. 16

"So bad." Leah confirmed with a grunt, draping the soaked apron on the bathroom stall door with a wet slap. "Thanks for the change of clothes." She tossed her shirt on the apron. 17

"No problem," Steph said "I always told you it was a good idea to bring a change of clothes." 18

"You were right." Friendly sarcasm tinged the statement. Leah opened the door and stepped out, now dressed in fresh, dry clothes. 19

"Fabulous." Steph laughed. 20

Leah shook her head and collected her wet things from the top of the door. 21

"Hey you dropped…" Stephine trailed off as Leah bent over to pick up the small rectangle of white. 22

She flipped it over and sighed, seeing the dark coffee stain that now covered most of Jake's face in the picture. It was the last one they'd taken together. She felt a tear form behind her eye as she gazed at the ruined photo. Why did she even keep it around? It was just a reminder of them, a reminder of him. 23

Steph came up behind Leah and hugged her when she saw the tear. "Hey what's with the tears?" She asked softly, "I thought we were over Jake." 24

"Yeah," Leah sniffed wiping the tear from the corner of her eye. "It's the past, and I can't change it." She rubbed both her eyes with her wrist and quickly tucked the photo away in her pocket. "Jake's gone and I'm over it." She nodded unconvincingly. 25

"Leah." Steph cried engulfing her friend in another hug. "I know it's hard. Hey why don't you take the day off. They'll understand." 26

"But Steph…" 27

"No buts," Steph silenced Leah mid complaint. "It's not gonna kill you. Besides you need some alone time to get over Jake." 28

"I've already had too much alone time." Leah protested. 29

"Don't care." Steph silenced her again as they exited the bathroom. "Kate! Leah's taking the day off!" The plump woman at the register looked up and nodded an 'okay' to the two. "See easy as cake. You need closure Lea." 30

"I guess." Leah agreed reluctantly. She supposed it was about time she visited him. 31

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~32

Leah sighed as she picked up the flowers. She was going to bring him a small bouquet. She reached for one of the tiger lily's, he liked those best, said they reminded him of her. A warm breeze caressed her hand as she stretched it forward. She paused, and shook the feeling of being watched away. She'd been having that sensation a lot lately. 33

A bundle of flowers in hand she continued to walk down the street. There is was again, that weird warm breeze, it tossed her hair, kind of like what he used to do. She turned and saw no one. Shaking her head to clear it she turned and walked through the large iron gates. 34

She finally stopped and kept her head down. "I miss you Jake." Her voice sounded chocked. 35

"I miss you too Leah." Jake took a few steps towards her. 36

"I'm sorry I never came to visit." She blurted, and the tears that she'd held back for him were set loose. "So sorry, I should have come sooner. 37

"It's okay, I forgive you." Jake hushed, coming closer still. 38

"Oh Jake, I love you so much please, please, please come back." She knew her words were pointless he couldn't come back. 39

"I never left you baby." He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder, whispering the words into her ear. 40

Leah gasped, and whirled around but there was nobody there. "Jake?" She asked and she felt the stalking warm breeze wrap around her again. "It's you isn't it?" She asked. 41

"Yes it's me." He confirmed holding her again. She closed her eyes and relaxed into the warm embrace. 42

"We both need to move on." She sighed, tears still leaked from her eyes. 43

"I could never leave you again." He told her. 44

"It's best for both of us." She said. "I'm glad I got to say goodbye though." 45

Jake wanted to cry but found himself unable to. 46

"Please Jake, move on, for me. It's best this way." Leah murmured, seeming to sense his hesitation. 47

"Are you ready to leave now?" Lincoln appeared behind Jake. 48

"Almost." He replied. Jake leaned down once more and whispered into Leah's ear again. "Now, now I'm ready." He told Lincoln. "Take me there." 49

With a smile and a nod Lincoln placed his hand once more on Jake's shoulder and the two vanished in a swirl of wind. 50

Leah felt comforted by the small tornado of warmth as the words echoed in the wind and in her heart. "I love you too." Then on and forever Jake's last words would drift to her on every breeze. 51

Feeling lighter than she had in days she place the flowers in front of the grave stone, Jakes grave stone, and left the cemetery. Having successfully found her closure. 52

Both She and Jake knew now that If you love someone once, you love them forever. Not even death can change that.53