The Get Together

After the phone call from Michell, Nick had made plans for meeting her at a diner. It seemed safer then either of their places. Nick had called her back the next day and set it all up. The get together had come quicker then he had thought it would.1

As Nick watched the clock, waiting till it was time to leave, he paced. He didn't know what he was going to say to her. Part of what he said to Michell on the phone was true but, he had left a lot out. He just didn't know how to word things to her.2

Nick glanced at the clock and decided that it was okay to leave now. He would be a little early but, that was fine. He could think about what he would say to her if she asked anymore questions.3

The drive felt like it took forever. His mind kept wondering to what was said the night he was with Michell and the phone conversation they had a few days earlier. There was so much he wanted to tell her. 4

When he arrived, he got a table easily visible when one entered the diner. He sat only ten minuets when Michell walked in. She waved and walked over.5

"Hey you," Michell said, giving him an awkward hug over the table. 6

"Hey to you too," he responded, returning the hug.7

Michell sat down and took a deep breath, "Nick, there's something I wanted to tell you on the phone but, I never got a chance to."8

Nick nodded and waited for her to continue. He was almost about to say something when she finally did continue.9

"Nick, you know how you said you didn't want to hurt me because you were feeling needy?" She didn't wait for an answer, "Well, the thing is, I don't think you can. Unless you told me that we couldn't be friends and that I was never to speak to you again, I don't think you can hurt me. I know you know that I love you and that will never change but, even when you say that you want us to have another shot, I don't think I'm gonna hold my breath..."10

Nick interrupted at that moment, "Michell, I do want us to have another chance. I just need time. I'm afraid of hurting you and I'm also afraid of getting hurt." He put his hand up when she started to protest, "I know you wouldn't hurt me on purpose but, there is still that chance that all relationships have that I have an equal chance of getting hurt."11

Michell shook her head, "I know that. Even with a friendship, we have a chance of getting hurt. But Nick, for the last five years, I have dreamed of you coming back and wanting to be with me again. Now, you have and, you do and I'm not sure how to handle this. This is something from a fairy tale, not my life."12

"You don't think I don't know this?" Nick asked, "I hated myself for leaving you the way I did. I knew I broke your heart and that you would probably hate me for the rest of your life but, you didn't. You still talked with me when you could and that surprised me more then anything."13

Michell just stared at him. They sat in silence for what felt like an immeasurable amount of time. Nick reached over and grabbed Michell's hands and squeezed them. "Michell, I never stopped caring for you. I never stopped loving you. You were everything to me. But right now, I need time to heal. I messed up my life badly with my poor choices. There's nothing that will stop me from wanting to be with you once I'm ready except, you being with someone else."14

"Nick, I don't want that. If you find someone that makes you undeniably happy, then I would want you to be with them. That's all I've ever wanted for you. I only wanted you to be happy with your life, even if I wasn't the cause, I just wanted you to be happy. No matter how much I love you, your happiness has always been the most important thing to me."15

Nick rubbed his brow with his free hand and looked at Michell, "Thank you for that but, you do make me happy. You make me feel alive when all I want to do is cower in a hole and die."16

Michell sighed, freed her hand and stood, "Nick, you feel that way now but, who knows what you'll feel in a week when your perfect woman comes by and wants you. I'll be but a forgotten memory and you will be happy. Even though that thought pains me, I'd still be happy for you because you will be happy and that's all I want for you." She leans over and gives him another awkward hug, "I will always love you."17

Nick never got to say anything in return. She had left him sitting there and he had watched her go with tears sparkling in his eyes.18

"I love you too, always," he whispered, "And I'll never give up on you."