The One Who Got Away

Bad

They decided to walk through Central Park.  As she did, Seth gently took her hand and intertwine their fingers.  She looked down at their hands and then at him with a small smile.  She moved closer to him and moved her other hand to his arm.  She held onto it.  Seth felt good next to her.  Seth then said, "So, you should let me take you on a real date."

She stopped and looked at him. "What I planned on you wouldn't consider a date?"  She asked.

He laughed.  "Well, did you think it was a date?"

"No, not really."  She sighed as they started walking again.

"I thought so.  So, would you let me take you out?"  He asked her.

She smiled as she looked at him.  "Well, I have to know when and see if I can get a sitter."

"Well, how about tomorrow night?"

"I have to work but I get out at six so maybe seven."  She said to him.

He smiled at her.  "Sounds perfect.  I have some interviews tomorrow anyways."

Then it hit her that Seth was a celebrity and it dawned on her.  "Hey, do you think we can just met there?  Where ever we are going."  She asked.

He looked confused at her.  "Why?"

She simply said, "I just don't want photos of me out there."

"Camera shy?"  He asked with a smile.

She shook her head.  "Easier to find me."

He stopped and looked at her.  He said as it dawned on him, "You are afraid he will find you again."  She nodded.  "That is always why you don't have any social media."

"Well, yeah, but I didn't lie when I told you the other reason.  I really do feel that way."  She replied as they started walking again.

"You really live your life in fear?  Don't you?"  He asked, almost in sadness.

She heard it and reassured him,  "I got use to it, Seth.  I have a routine and know what to do and not to do.  You don't have to be sad for me. I have been doing well and I am happy with my son.  Yes, I am afraid he will find us, but that is why I take precautions.  No social media, no pictures on the internet, we do not allow a lot of new people in our lives."

"Then why do you trust me?"  He asked.

She smiled.  "Remember, Mark is protective of me.  He would not have invited me to dinner with you and him if he thought you were a shady character.  He trust you, especially around me, knowing how careful I am with my life.  Mark just doesn't do that.  He knows I worked too hard to keep a quiet life.  So, when he allows certain people around me, I don't freak.  I trust him.  And if he trust you to be around me, I do too."

He smiled at her.  They walked around a little longer and she sighed.  "I hate to do this, but I really need to get back to Sam.  Brenda is watching him right now.  It has been a fucking crazy day."

Seth nodded and laughed.  "You telling me.  All in one day, I got my heart broken, then mended."

She stopped and looked at him.  She said sadly, "Please, don't do that, it really did suck that I hurt you like that.  It got to me bad."

"It did?"  He asked, a little shocked.

She let go of his hand and said, sadly, "Yeah, it did, Seth.  For the first time, I watched someone break in front of me and it sucked.  I had it happen plenty where guys got upset and it never phased me.  But when I watch it happen to you, I couldn't handle it."