Love Story

It was half past two in the morning when Regina Miller stepped into her dark apartment after a hard day of work. Ms. Miller was known for her strict composure and rein in the office. While she was powerful and proper at the office, her friends knew the kind, quiet, shy girl called Gi who, despite her hard New Jersey upbringing was one of the kindest people they knew. The twenty-something brunette slipped off her shoes, put her bags down and let her coat slip off her slender shoulders to the floor by the door. She sighed and navigated her way to her small kitchen. 1

Slowly Gi went through the motions of preparing a meal. Without even turning on a light, she reached for a clean plate and glass from the side of the sink. She turned around and opened the refrigerator. Inside was a glass serving dish with a cellophane wrap covering. On top of the dish was a note: “It was one of those days – Cat”. 2

Gi shook her head slightly and quietly pulled the serving dish out of the refrigerator and put it on the counter. For a few moments, she picked at the food in the dish, wondering what she should do about Cat.3

Catherine Johnson, also known as Cat, was as close to a goddess as anyone could be. Beautiful dirty blonde hair fell to jest below her shoulders. She was slightly taller than Gi and slightly thinner. She would have had a slightly athletic look to her if she didn’t have such a tiny waste. Cat had the power to light up the day with her smile or make rain pour from the heavens with the sad look in her eye. Catherine was all things good rolled into one with a little bit of something else thrown in. It was sad that she had days like these, Gi thought. Something so beautiful should not have such terrible times.4

After finishing a glass of water, putting the serving dish back in the refrigerator, cleaning her dinner plate and putting back to the side of the sink, Gi quietly walked down the hallway to her bedroom. Her door was open. She stopped and leaned against the door frame. Laying in the bed, tossing and turning was Cat. Quietly as she could, Gi crept to her closet and took off her blouse, stockings and skirt and changed into an oversized sleep shirt. Again, the brunette went to the door frame. 5

Cat was still turning in her sleep. She turned over violently and hit her hand on the nightstand. Sleepily and nursing her hand, Cat looked up to the doorway.6

“How long have you been there?” she asked.7

“Not that long,” Gi replied. “Is your hand okay?”8

Cat smiled. “Just bumped it. When did you get home?”9

“Just a little while ago.” Gi was quiet for a moment. “How long have you been here?”10

Cat looked down, inspecting her abused hand. “A few hours, I guess. I didn’t want to be alone. It happened again, I couldn’t stop it. It was just one of those days.”11

“I know.”12

Gi slipped into bed and wrapped her arms around Cat and kissed the back of her neck softly.13

“Are you going to be okay?” Gi asked.14

“I don’t know,” was the muffled reply. 15

“I’m here if you need me,” Gi whispered.16

Cat nodded slightly and the two drifted off to sleep.17

end
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