Sarah was sitting under a willow tree in the warm sum. A familiar scent filled her nose. “Hello.” A bouquet of tulips was placed before her. “Thank you.”
Orion finally walked from behind the tree, sitting beside of her. He studied her face.
“How do you feel?”
“Weak.” She sighed.
“I am so sorry.”
“Don’t worry about me.” She lowered her glance.
“I can’t help it.”
“How are things with you?”
“Same.”
“Oh.”
“Sarah.”
She looked back up at him. “What?”
“Michael wants to have the surgery. Juliah can’t be with him the entire time.”
“You want to accompany him?”
“Yes.”
“Come get me when he’s ready to leave.”
“Anything.”
Sarah stared at him. His reply shocked her. ‘Anything’ was what David said all the time. And now Carter had started saying it. ‘Anything indeed’.
Orion helped her to her feet. They parted. She blindly walked back to the house. David took the flowers from her as she leaned against the doorframe.
“Where did you get the flowers my dear?”
“Orion,” she sighed. She so wanted to say something mean about him but couldn’t.
David helped her to a couch where he covered her up. “Give Orion a chance. If this divorce is allowed, he would make you a fine husband.”
She was floored. “What?” What a comment to say? It rolled out of his mouth like it has been living here. “Are you insane?”
“No, why do you think I ask you not to walk away from this one?”
“What’s in it for you?” She growled.
“Your happiness.” He sat on the couch at her feet.
“What would you know about my happiness?”
“I know that when a man gets close to you, you back him off. I know that you haven’t had a relationship since college.”
“So, I don’t want a man in my life.”
“Independence is a good thing. Loneliness is not.”
“I hate that word. Loneliness anyway. What makes you think I am lonely?”
“Sarah, believe it or not. I know you.”
“Whatever.” She aggressively pulled the blanket up to her chin; warmth overtake her. She was soon asleep.
When David came back to check on her, she wasn’t on the couch and he began to panic. Sarah wasn’t in the guest room. “Sarah!” He started calling her. “Sarah!” He ran from room to room. Instead, she was standing in the hall staring at two paintings. “Sarah.” He whispered, out of breath.
She glared at him. The longer she stared at him the madder she got. Her left hand was on the painting of the female. She threw the blanket off, storming from the house.
“Sarah.” He called after her, falling to his knees in the floor.
