27: Betrayal

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I have taken up a spot on my windowsill. It's cold and hard, and I have to bring my knees up so tightly they reach my chin, but I am content.

The moon is gone now. So is the rain. The skies are clear, almost as if they are trying to give me some sort of hope; but I know there is none left for me in this world. I can see the sun, just a slight glimpse, but I know it's there. The sky is a mixture of orange and yellow, almost like a huge fire has taken place in the heavens.

The new sky does not give me comfort or reassurance. In fact, quite the opposite. I know that since the sky is changing, so is time. And the more time changes, the less time I have to remember.

And I need to remember.

***

I decided I would visit people as I ate my breakfast one morning. I hadn't seen my friends in a while - Steve in particular - and I felt a little guilty.

I tugged my usual brown leather jacket over my cream shirt which was teamed with jeans. After a final check in the mirror I retreated out of the house and on my way to my car.

It didn't take me long to find Steve's house. I was searching for it using directions simply from my memory. I pulled up in front of his detached house before going up and knocking lightly on the mahogany door.

"Hey Steve," I said as he opened the door. It had been so long since I'd seen him. He had a slight stubble and was as good-looking as my memory.

"Wow Abby," Steve replied while scratching the back of his head, "this is such a surprise. It's been too long."

"I know,"

"Would you, uh, like to come in?"

Steve led the way to the kitchen and I followed suit. As we passed the stairs he called up:

"Stella, we have company." Then he added, "Stella's my girlfriend."

Shortly after Steve's call, a bounding sound was heard from above. Soon someone, who I assumed to be Stella, stood in the kitchen with us.

"Hi," she said, flicking a golden lock out of her face, "I'm Stella, but you could probably already guess."

"Yeah," I replied. "Nice to meet you, I'm Abby."

Steve clapped his hands, "Lunch, anyone?"

"No, actually, I'm only here for a quick chat. Any news?"

"We're together!" Stella exclaimed, as if I couldn't already tell. I looked over at her and noticed she was wearing hot pants and a thin tank top - despite the fact it was chilly outside.

"Yeah, I got that." I replied, a little more moodily than intended.

Steve cut in, "Nothing much, job's going well - by the way, you're needed in two days, Doreen is off - and as you know, Stella and I are together."

"Have you known each other for long?" I asked Steve, not wanting to hear Stella's answer.

"About a week,"

A week. A week ago I was still furious at Zeke. Steve and I conversed for about half an hour, with several cut-ins from Stella, but then I announced I had to go.

"See you soon, maybe?" Steve said as I stood on his doorstep.

"Sure," I waved my hand and turned my back on Steve so I could walk out to my car. It felt good to see Steve, I had missed him. After all, without him me and Zeke mightn't even be together.

I remembered the time at the fair last year, I resented Steve. He seemed cocky, ignorant and - for lack of a better word - annoying. After that day he changed. I forgave him. My story is all about forgiveness, you see.

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