Duched(97)

 

 

 

My breathing ceases completely. Brie takes my hand, carefully places the locket in it, and folds it shut. Afterward she rises to the tips of her toes to kiss me on the cheek. In a desperate frenzy, I grip the nape of her neck, and press my forehead against hers. "Please..." I swallow my sob. "Please don't do this, Brie."

 

 

 

She sniffles away any conflicting decisions. "I have to."

 

 

 

She doesn't! She shouldn't! We should fight this! We should prove him wrong! We should....It doesn't matter what I say to her, does it? I've already lost her...

 

 

 

"Sir," Swiss' voice states loudly. "Would you like me to load the bags?"

 

 

 

I pull back to allow my tear-filled eyes to meet hers. Still staring into them, determined to detail every centimeter, I answer, "Just hers." My hand loosens its grip and I take an unwanted step back. "Take her to the hospital where her dad is. Give her the same treatment and respect you would if I was in the vehicle." His voice starts to interrupt and I divert my attention to him. "Don't worry about your fee. My father will be more than thrilled to pay it."

 

 

 

Swiss gives me a nod of understanding and disappears.

 

 

 

Brie grabs her cell phone and wallet before making her way towards the door.

 

 

 

I stifle another sob. "Brie?"

 

 

 

She hesitates yet turns around anyway.

 

 

 

In a voice I barely recognize, I ask, "When I call, will you answer me like I'd answer you?"

 

 

 

The reference to the only other time I almost lost her sends the lingering tears down her face. She gives me one last somber look. Her lack of a reply is the final pang that causes my body to cave onto the couch. Brie exits the jet and I shut my eyes in a pathetic attempt to not shed any more tears.

 

  

 

This can't truly be over...can it?