Love Metamorphosis

Chapter 16

                  

The old man ended up being Lincoln Cole, the owner of one of the largest oil refineries in the world. He was worth more than Jemma and Eric combined and had the heart of a hopeful but acted like a bitter old man. Jemma loved him instantly and they spent the better part of the next hour telling funny stories about when they were going to school.

"She wasn't paying attention and walked right into the fountain." Jemma was almost wheezing from laughter, "When he went over to see if she was alright, she played it off like she needed new shoes."

Everyone at the table laughed, most of all Lincoln, who had moved his chair closer to her. She was having such a good time that when desert came she didn't hesitate to take a bite. It sat on her tongue for a moment and she couldn't help but drink in the sweet flavor; it was divine.

"This is very good," Jemma knew she sounded overly amazed, even to her own ears as she almost hurriedly took another bite. "Does anyone know what it is?" She asked after she swallowed.

"It is cheesecake, native to southern Italy," Eric answered, setting his wine glass back down before taking a bite himself.

"I was just in Rome and I didn't see this anywhere and I assure you I had dessert every night I was there." Jemma smiled and winked at Lincoln who pretended to shake his head in annoyance but all the while smiled into his napkin.

"It is farther south than Rome, I had it when I was in Pompeii," Eric admitted setting his fork down, "This is almost a perfect copy."

"Almost?" Jemma asked, a little twinkle of amusement in her eyes, "Or are you just being a gentleman in case I wish to commandeer your plate and have seconds?"

He chuckled at that. "I know you will ask before you take."

"Look how well they get along dear," the middle aged woman across from them, said to her husband, "It was like us during our newly wed years. How long have you been together?"

Instantly all the happiness and cheerfulness drained out of her. The room suddenly felt too small and there wasn't enough air. Jeff hadn't even crossed her mind once the entire night, and the realization of that fact was crushing her. She set her fork down carefully as the food turned to ash in her mouth.

"We are just easy friends," Eric said with an encouraging smile, but the damage was done.

Jemma realized she was falling apart. "I would like to freshen up. Don't worry your dessert is safe from me." She managed with a strained smile.

Everyone laughed but they all sensed something was wrong as Jemma shakily got to her feet and walked as consciously as she could toward the restroom. How had she not even thought of him the entire night? When the bathroom's location wasn't apparent she wandered out onto the balcony. She needed air!

Taking even, measured breaths Jemma gripped the white painted metal railing. Trying not to sink into despair she tightened her hold, but it only caused her to feel more lost. The first sob erupted from deep within her being and it was hard not to curl into a ball and cry. Putting her hands to her face she tried to cry silently, muffling her soul retching sobs behind her hand.

The feeling of fabric across her bare, goosebumped skin, pulled her quickly back to reality. She turned and faced Eric, compassion and regret shown all over his face. She hurriedly pushed away her tears from her cheeks, as though she could erase their very existence.

She looked down. She didn't want to meet his gaze knowing how terrible she must look and how embarrassed she was at losing her composure. "Thank you." She muttered.

"Mary insisted I take you tonight," Eric's voice was so soft with tender concern, it hurt her hear to listen, "I feared you would not be ready."

"You are reconsidering me as a friend already?" Jemma said, with a forced smile as she focused on him. She didn't want to cry anymore.

"No," he gave a brief smile, "Never."

Jemma covered her mouth, her entire face tense from trying not to cry. He stood there quietly, as though he knew she had to tell someone, as though if he waited she would tell him what had happened without even having to ask. He was right.

She met his steady gaze, "I didn't think about him all night. I am losing him all over again, what if I can't remember his face or his voice? I am grasping for him and am only grabbing empty air."

He didn't even hesitate to pull her into his embrace; he was bigger than she thought he was, she was instantly enveloped by him. The cold of the winter air didn't seem so harsh and every acute pain was lessened by this simple human gesture. At first she stiffened, unsure what to do since she had known the man such a short time. One thought of Mary and how he had been all night and she rested her forehead on his shoulder.

After a quiet moment where her breathing settled Eric replied, "Just because you didn't think about him doesn't mean that you are losing him. He will always be a part of you, but he cannot always occupy your thoughts. For the first time in weeks you truly lived without the shadow of his passing hovering over you. You did not betray him, you lived on how anyone would expect you to, and how if I were him, would want you to."

She nodded her head because words were not enough to thank him for showing her true kindness. She doubted that she could even speak but then a thought hit her. In that instant, for the first time since Jeff's death she knew that she was going to be okay.

Patting his chest and looked up at him in all seriousness, "Your grandmother would have been a better date."

His face filled with relief and it was as though every inch of his settled into a less tense state, "I wouldn't say better, just a different type of excitement."

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