Betty's Cardigan

August Slipped Away

Lorraine stumbled away from James.

"What? Why?" She couldn't wrap her mind around it. He'd just been bailed out of jail for god knew what and she didn't even care. All she knew was that he was safe and that he was back.

"This was a mistake." James' words were like arrows to her heart. "We should have never gone ahead with this." He shook his head dejectedly. His brother Chet gave them a wide berth and went inside.

"But I love you," Lorraine whispered. James' lips twitched like he'd tasted something sour. 

"No you don't."

"But I do."

"But I don't!" he exclaimed. "It was fun while it lasted, but it can't go on. It was just a summer fling."

"It wasn't a summer fling for me!" Lorraine's voice cracked as tears ran down her cheeks. Had she been so stupid as to dream about a future with James Parker? 

"I'm sorry Lorraine, but I can only truly love Betty, and I can't keep leading you on. It's not fair." 

What surprised Lorraine the most was the utmost sincerity in James' statement. He actually believed that!

"You have already led me on! It wasn't like we just texted. God, we spent nights together!" Lorraine's heart had shattered and she just had to keep speaking or else she would break down right there and then. "Were you with Betty all this time?"

"Lorraine, I-"

"Yes, or no?"

"Yes, but I-"

"Save it, James. I did everything for you. I cancelled my plans just in case you called. Meeting you behind the mall was what I lived for." She wasn't proud of this weakness, but she'd always thought that love felt like that. She'd known that if you were crazy about someone, everything would work out. "But this was just a game for you. I'll only be a notch in your belt. But God, do I still want you. And I hate myself for saying this, but please can we work this out."

James seemed stunned at the suggestion. Lorraine had been to. She had just spoken her mind. She had meant every word. After putting in so much effort into this relationship, she just couldn't bear to see it crumble.

"I gave you so much, but it wasn't enough," Lorraine admitted. "But I'm ready to try harder for you. Stolen kisses, pretty lies, you're the king, baby, I'm your queen. Tell me what you want, I'll be that girl. I can change everything about me for you."

"I couldn't ask you to do that."

"You don't need to, just say and I'll forget about this whole fiasco. We can begin again right now."

"Please just go home, Lorraine," James said as he pushed past her and went inside, leaving her all alone in the dark.

Lorraine somehow got out of the driveway and wandered down the road. The cold air dried her tears, but her heart had frozen over. James had been the one guy she had trusted. She had looked for heaven and put love first. She took off her heels and let the chill seep into her feet. 

And then she was lying on the tarmac. Lorraine wised that she could just freeze completely and never wake up.