Read Online Interlude by Josie Daleiden - Free Book Online

crowded
tables. The truth was that he was nervous and happy and confused
all at the same time. Dare he say it?
    Just then, he saw her. She was seated at the
back, under an oddly hung bicycle. She was holding a large latte
cup close to her with her long delicate fingers. She looked
stunning! She had chosen to wear a green silk top and jeans. The
top made her eyes almost electric, as she gave him that same timid
look that was so uncharacteristic of her personality. He eyes
regarded him with a mix of happiness and confusion. Cal was already
on edge, but her demeanor was making him more defensive as he took
a seat across from her. Looking for a segue, he reached out to
squeeze her hand. If he wasn’t mistaken, he could have sworn she
had lost some weight. She half-smiled as she returned his squeeze
lightly.
    “God I missed you!” Cal finally said, his
voice rose slightly to counter the noise of the evening crowd. “How
many insurance emergencies did you have to take care of?” He asked
lightheartedly.
    “Cal, I need to break up with you.” She said
quietly, her face pointing down as she tried to sip her coffee
casually.
    Cal felt his heart fall out of his body as
his brain tried to make sense of what he just heard. His hand
retracted and placed itself in his lap as he tried to come to grips
with what she had just said.
    Cal whispered quietly in desperation. “I, I
don't understand. We were doing so well! You said so yourself at
the hotel. We clicked! I've never felt like this about anyone
before, ever. How could you do this to me? To us?” His exasperation
turned to hurt as Karen tried to maintain her emotions. He saw the
telltale welling in her big, beautiful eyes as she dashed at a tear
with her napkin. “Is this what you really want?” He finally
asked.
    “Cal, I don't know what I want. The last two
week have reminded me that,” she paused, “that we aren't the same
people. We come from different worlds. There are so many parts of
my life that would make no sense to you at all.” She said, still
wringing her napkin in her hands as Cal struggled to find words for
a response.
    “Wow. I wanted to tell you all of the things
you do for me! To me! You make, er, made me feel like a super hero!
The little time I spent with you inspired me to make so many
changes in my former life.” He was struggling to express himself as
Karen gave him a look of stark fear.
    “You don't mean that you-”
    “Yes, I split with Alice, and by default most
of my former life. I'm staying at a friend's until I can get a
place of my own.” Cal said. He was still proud of himself, in spite
of his very soul dying inside of him.
    “What are you doing for money?” Karen asked,
her face a mask of confusion at this flood of information.
    “I’m doing freelance work. It's not gonna
make me rich, but at least I can save up for a condo eventually.”
He said. Then he suddenly blurted, “Is this for real!”
    “Cal, there's things about my life I can't
talk about, things you shouldn't have to subject yourself to for
the sake of me.” She said. her voice was tense as she fought back
more tears.
    She got up from the table, her chair scraping
across the wood floor as Cal could only sit there. As she stepped
around toward the door, she bent over and gave him a slow kiss on
the cheek. Cal only managed to raise a hand to hold on to it
forever as she made her way out the door, and out of his life.
Forever.

Chapter 4
    Cal sat at the table for another hour. He
ordered an espresso and sat there staring at the wall. He could
feel his insides growing dark and cold as her memories continued to
flood his thoughts. He wanted to stay here forever. If he got up
and left, than what had just happened would be real and final. All
he had to do was sit here and drink coffee. He could still smell
her scent, a mix of shampoo and perfume and so many other things.
If he got up, then those smells would vanish from his life also.
His mind ran through the last words she