I Love You Like Crazy

The History

Gabrielle paced the floor of her apartment. Her parents called her at the most inconvenient times and now when she called, no one answers.
"God Dammit!", Gabrielle hung up the phone and called again.
"Hello?" Her dad finally answered.
"Jesus Christ, Dad!" Gabrielle seethed, "I've been calling all day!"
"We were busy and left the phone home," Gabrielle's Dad said, "what's going on?"
"They are releasing John from treatment," Gabrielle choked those words, "I am going to before the court to petition for more time."
Mr. Gavin fell silent. Hate bubbled up from the depths of his soul and he is not hateful man.  He didn't always hate John. John was a wonderful man for his daughter to start a life with. He was successful, respectful, loving and had a good head on his shoulders.  Mr. Gavin didn't know when the changes started exactly. Gabrielle would mention things here and there but Gabrielle was always high strung and fiercely independent. Someone could offer to hold a door for her and she would get mad at the implication that women needed special treatment. Mr. Gavin would rationalize John's behavior without knowing John was quickly becoming irrational. It wasn't until the night of the attack that he understood the seriousness of the situation and it wasn't until the court hearings that he understood the depravity John succumbed to.   He regretted not noticing John's downward spiral earlier. He mourned his inability to protect Gabrielle. John robbed him of the one thing most fathers do, keep their families safe. John had to pay for taking that from him.
"When is the hearing?" Mr. Gavin said.
"The twelfth," Gabrielle reported, "One o'clock."
"Your mother and I will be there," responded Mr. Gavin, "can we speak too?"
"I don't see why not, Dad," Gabrielle affirmed, "We will find out when we get there."
"Are you safe?", asked Mr. Gavin, "What are you doing to protect yourself? Are the police patrolling by your place?"
Mr. Gavin's cloud of hate gave way to concern. Paternal instincts kicked in. John will not harm Gabrielle or anyone else for that matter.
"Dad," Gabrielle assured, "I'm fine. No one knows where I am. I just told Blanca it's like I don't exist."
"Well, I'd feel safer if we stayed with you." Mr. Gavin wanted to stay with her. He wanted to make up for what he failed to do three years ago.
"Dad," Gabrielle melted inside, "you and Mom are always welcome here but I'm fine."
"We will be there on the eleventh." Mr. Gavin declared.
"I guess I'll set up the pull out couch!" Gabrielle laughed.
"And fill the fridge." Mr. Gavin continued.
"Sure, Dad," Gabrielle smiles, "I'll call if anything changes."
"Great. I love you, Pumpkin." Gushed Mr. Gavin.
"Love you too." Gabrielle responded.
After they hung up the phone, Gabrielle reminisced. She met John at a neighborhood bar by her former job. He was sitting with some men who were laughing and ordering rounds of beer.  He appeared unfazed by his friends' boisterous nature.  He looked internally distracted as though his mind was somewhere else. By chance they locked eyes and he smiled. It was as if a spell of boredom broke and he came alive. Gabrielle smiled back as she made her way to the bar.
Gabrielle ordered a vodka cranberry. The bartender winked to confirm the order. John appeared at the end of the bar. She watched him order.  He looked very clean cut; almost like a prep school class picture.
"This drink is from the gentleman over there." The bartender stated as he served Gabrielle. She raised her glass to John in acknowledgment and mouthed "thank you".  Most guys that buy her drinks are half in the bag and egged on by their buddies.  This was different. He left his drunk buddies. It was a very sweet gesture indeed.
Gabrielle walked back to her table where her co-workers were huddled in gossip.
"Hey," she announced, "someone just bought me a drink."
"Is he cute?" piped up Janice. Janice worked in the Human Resources Department.  She was twice Gabrielle's age and three times as desperate to get married.
"He's nice looking." smiled Gabrielle.
"I think Mr. Nice Looking is coming over." Janice squealed.
"Hello, Ladies," greeted John, " I couldn't help but notice such a vivacious group of women in one place."
"Really?" questioned Janice, "Where?"
"Don't mind her," Gabrielle chuckled, "Thank you for the drink. My name is Gabrielle." She held out her hand for him to take in a handshake.
"John," he took her hand and kissed it like royalty, "it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Ooh la la," cooed Janice, "The pleasure is ours."
"Janice!" Stomped Gabrielle, "Don't mind her, John."
"I don't." smiled John, "I was wondering if you, Gabrielle, would join me next door for espresso?"
"I'd love to," gushed Gabrielle, "but Janice is my ride home."
"I'll have you back in 20." John promised, "Can I borrow her for 20 minutes, Janice?"
"If you don't have her back in 20 minutes the same way as she left here, I'll hunt you down." Janice threatened with a smile.
"I'll bring her back in better condition." John put his hand up, "scout's honor."
"Let's go, John."  Gabrielle started towards the door.
They made their way to the front door. The cool night air was refreshing as they began to walk toward the cafe.
"So where do you work, John?" Asked Gabrielle, "Are you from here?"  Gabrielle had a list of qualities she wanted in a partner.  They must not have a criminal record, they must have a bank account, they must have their own place, they must be employed, they must be present in the relationship and they absolutely can not have an STD.  It wasn't unreasonable to ask for those things but she was surprised that no one fit the bill.
"I am an anesthesiologist and I am originally from Rhode Island." John's words floated. His voice had the right amount of depth to be entrancing. "How about you?"
"I am a marketing executive," Gabrielle felt vulnerable. She's not used to someone having a genuine interest in her. Usually, the men she meets at the bar shout pleasantries over the music, want to exchange numbers and maybe try to take you home.
"Marketing, eh?" Chided John as he opened the door to the cafe, "If you had to market me, what would you say?"
Gabrielle threw her head back and laughed. That was an immensely unique way to flirt but she liked it.
"I think I'd say 'Ready for clean cut? Walk the razor's edge with me."
John laughed. He ordered two espressos.
"I guess you think I'm suppressing a wild side." John stated.
"Who said anything about suppressing?" Gabrielle joked.
"Touché," toasted John with his espresso.
"I have to say, John," Gabrielle had become serious, "No one has ever taken me on a date in the middle of a night out."
"Who said this is a date?" smiled John, "Honestly, I've seen you a couple of times at the bar and you have always intrigued me. I just never had the nerve to approach you."
John's cheeks flushed a bit. Gabrielle could tell he was genuine. It was a rare thing to see these days. She smiled at John.
"How come you looked so disinterested while you were with your friends?" Gabrielle wanted to break the awkward silence.
"First of all, they were talking nonsense. They brag about how many women they conquered and expensive cars, not my idea of a fun conversation," John was quickly growing on Gabrielle. She wanted a partner who understood maturity.
"Second," Jon continued, "I think I lost my phone so I was retracing my steps."
"That's not good." Gabrielle sympathized.
"No," John beamed, "especially when you want to ask someone for their number."
Gabrielle blushed. She took a pen from her purse and wrote her number on John's hand and closed it into a fist.
"I think it's twenty minutes," Gabrielle noted.
"I'm surprised Janice didn't send the cavalry." John mused.
John held the door for Gabrielle as they left.
"You know you don't have to do that," Gabrielle pointed out, "I'm perfectly capable of opening a door."
"I'm perfectly capable of letting you do so," John replied, "but then where is the romance? You can give yourself that gift of romance today and open the door for yourself tomorrow."
Gabrielle was strangely comforted by John's words. He validated her need for a break. Every day it is high stress and results based. Nothing is judged by her as a person; only what she can produce for the company.
"Aren't you coming back in?" Gabrielle asked when they reached the bar.
"No," John sighed, "I have a surgery to assist with at seven in the morning."
"Wow, early start." Gabrielle remarked.
"Yes, thank you for spending quiet time with me." John cooed, "I will call once I find my phone."
"I'll be waiting to hear all about anesthesiology and surgery at seven." Gabrielle chided.
"No worries," John stated with confidence, "I'll be in touch."
Gabrielle entered the bar with a huge smile. She never expected to find a potential love interest at the bar of all places! She hoped he called once he got a new phone.
John walked around the corner to his car. He pulled out his smartphone and searched Gabrielle's phone number. It came up right away; name address social media accounts. John book marked it and drove home.