It was night and Marlo was sprinting down Main St. wearing a black, hooded cloak over her nightgown.
"You can't run forever, "It was the same little, greenish, man that had been in all of her dreams for the last month," Did you really think you could hide from me? I have found you, Marlo Hope, you are mine."
Marlo woke up under a pile of blankets and Jake's arm was draped over her side, which made her wonder what else happened last night. She didn't remember much other than crying and then falling asleep in his arms, but she couldn't remember why she had been crying.
She walked over to her mirror and just starred at her reflection. She looked tired, scared, and broken. All of this just made Marlo angry. Was this really life now a days? Hiding in fear from something she dreamed?
A flood of images rushed at her. The coffee shop, the little man, Jake's worried face. She remembered. Marlo sat down on the edge of the bed. She wasn't really sure what to do next. Everything was just one big threatening blur at the moment.
Jake groaned and turned on his side," Marlo?""
" Don't worry, I'm right here,"she said as she pinched his leg. He kicked her playfully,"Good morning,M."
Marlo sighed inwardly and then forced a smile.
"Alright then," Jake said as he got up and moved towards the door," I'll go make us some breakfast, how 'bout that? Oh,then maybe we could walk in the park today, and then we could-"
" Sart with breakfast." Marlo said.
"OK," he sounded kind of sad as he closed the door.
Marlo's entire body ached,with exhaustion,and an inner sadness, felt slightly for Jake.He was always there and wanting to be apart of her world. God, she thought,I wouldn't want to be Jake right now.
She owed him. Big time.
When Marlo finally walked into the kitchen Jake was already half way finished with his breakfast. She made her way to her seat and looked down at her plate : burnt toast, and a slightly bruised apple. Not bad considering the night before.
Jake looked up from his plate," Did you sleep OK?"
Marlo sat down," You don't have to pretend it didn't happen, Jake."
No reply. Jake just searched her face. It was the same as it always had been,long brown hair, brown eyes, and the same lanky figure.Yet,somehow, she was different.
He frowned," If that's really what you want."
"It is,"Marlo said,squeezing his hand gently," I don't think it can be fixed though....
He smiled crookedly.
"Jake,"Marlo said gently," I don't want to be a burden to you, so I was thinki-"
Jake cut her off,"Stop right there."
She gave him a confused look.
"All my life you have never been a burden but in fact you were a burden lifted. I am here to share your burdens,Marlo, and I expect you to share them with me."He was serious.
Marlo silently cursed his good heart. She didn't want to push this on him, "Thank you, Jake. I will do what you want, and if that's what you really want I will do it. But, I will apologize ahead of time because you deserve better than this." She pushed away her plate that she hadn't touched.
