Chase is sitting at his desk listening to music. He is so focused on work that he hasn’t heard anything happening around his house. While taking a moment to stretch he sees his wife walk past his office. “Susan?”
She pokes her head in, he hair is clipped up, she has a laundry basket she’s balancing on her hip and runs her fingers through her hair. This reminds Chase of when he first realized that she was the one for her. They were helping out at this event together and she was talking to the people, picking up garbage and had a tray on her hip. She saw people not doing anything and just balanced it all on her hip, raised an eyebrow and asked them if they thought to do anything or if they thought there time was better spent elsewhere. 
He loved her sassy attitude and that she was so strong willed. He still sees that. “Yeah, what can I do ya for?” She seems exhausted and worn out. Whenever he comes back he is always confused about time, what has been going on the past few days, and the mood of the house. This time is no different. Susan is tired and doesn’t want to say anything to change Chase’s mood.
“I just wanted to talk to you.” Chase gives a smile.

It all starts in to local coffee shop. Many people use coffee shops to get to know a person and see if there is a chance for a relationship. That is the traditional way to look at things. Well, this was a first time grabbing coffee to share how a relationship was not going to happen.

“I just asked you to go there because I thought you would enjoy it. There was not alternative motive.”

“The way you were talking about it and plans made it come off that you were planning it for just us and had planned for it to mean more.”

“Yeah I thought it would be something that we could do, but I was the one asking.”

“Yeah I know you asked.”

“Right. I am the girl. Me asking, not you. If you had asked it would have been different. There would have been a thought process of maybe this is more than just friends, but it was me.”

“I know, but you made it sound like you wanted more to come out of it.”

“How?” I shift in my car in a slight confusion trying to remember the conversation we had of me asking him to go. I talked it up in excitement because I have good memories of the place and honestly thought he would have really enjoyed going to it.

“You just kept saying how I would enjoy it and didn’t seem like you wanted anyone else to go.” He just sits there seeming so uncomfortable and awkward.

“Honestly that is just how I am. I like getting to know people and building relationships with them so I spend time one on one time with them. In a group you can’t do that. There are just others and distractions, it just makes it hard. I don’t really know what you want me to say. You don’t really know who I am or much about me so you just assumed these were my attentions.”

“Well . . . you would joke about us dating.”

“I also told you it would never work out for us to date.”

“I know.”

“So apparently me thinking we would never date and telling you it wouldn’t work out clearly means that I want to date you.”

“That’s not what I said.”

“I am just trying to understand.” I am trying to hold back my defensive tone but he isn’t being rational. His responses are coming off so quiet and as though he is uncomfortable and doesn’t believe what he says. “If you are making accusations about me liking you and wanting more you should be able to back up your thinking.”

“I just . . . I got, I just got this feeling so I stopped it before it went further.”

“Okay.”

“Yeah so anyway how’s your coffee?” Seriously? This guy really has no back bone.

“It’s good. Listen I am getting kind of tired and I cam here to talk to settle things but you don’t seem interested in doing that.” I begin to move off the seat and he still is just staring at me. Is he really this dumb?

“I thought we did.”

“Do you not talk things out to make them better?”

“I never have before no.”

“Seriously?”

“No. I haven’t.” He just stares and me and shrugs his soldiers like I’m the crazy one/”

“Wow. That is ridiculous. Have you not had a friend you’ve wanted to talk things out with, or even a girl you liked or liked you?”

“I don’t. I just don’t talk about it or to them really and then we just start talking again.”

“Wow that’s really immature. Sorry but it’s true.”

“Thanks.”

“Well, umm, when you want to talk, then reach out, but for now I am not going to waste my time just pushing something under the rug that you brought up. It may seem like I am making a big deal about this, but I can’t believe you brought this up and didn’t expect to talk about it.”

“I just don’t.”

“Just don’t what?”

“Talk about things. I get over it and that’s it.”

“Yeah, well when you have an issue with a person you need to say something to them.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?” I have no idea what to say or think in this situation. Am I being defensive or a typical girl and over thinking things? He’s making me feel like the crazy one. I break my muffin in half contemplating this. He sits there tapping on his drink with his fingers. Just tapping, making no noise but just a distraction in the silence of awkward that has just transpired. 

I shift to cross my legs the opposite way leaning back to pull the wrapper off the bottom half of my muffin. Chocolate chip muffins from dunking are always softer than a bakery or bagel shop makes them. It is harder to break and harder to eat. Why did I even get a muffin? The donuts are good enough and I wouldn’t mind having a Boston creme. Ahh my thoughts are all over the place.

Rachel get your head straight. “So how’s that muffin working out?”

“It’s working. I don’t know about the good or bad. Kinda making me think why I didn’t just get a donut.”

“You can still get one.”

“I’m good.”

“Okay, well if your not happy with something you can change it.” Oh the irony.

That was not a good idea! running. Why on earth did I think I could possibly a runner. I must has made it about five minutes if that before question what I was doing. Run? Okay playing a sport yes I will but to just go for a run. I walked. But walking is so slow and people feel as though they can stop you. And of course the moment I need to clear my head I would run into the person I need to figure out.

Not the new guy. If it was the new guy then that wouldn’t be so bad. However it just had to be Kyle. Him of all people. I think maybe running into, I don’t know, no solid comparison on who would have been better to see. Right now nothing is clicking in my mind.

Who do I have a roommate? I know that she believes that she is helping but really? Ahh and talking to him! It was like pulling teeth because I knew he totally knew about my roommates grand idea of us being set up. But he probably thinks it me who wants to go out on a date with him. Being so coy, oh I heard your roommate ran into Andrew earlier. Really?! I should not be this upset about it all. Right? My reaction is not justified. Or is it? Why am I getting this upset over everything? She said that we were all going to grab food or something. Or something. He knows the or something.

Maybe it was the way he said it or just me not wanting anything and knowing, or at least being told many times how he wants something. People playing with my head never ends for a good time. I am being such a women. I just need a friend to talk to. Wait where am I? I just kept walking after seeing Kyle in a storm and now it looks like I went to a foreign country. Okay turn around that seems like a good plan. Yes just turn around. I turn to actually do a little running so where I am can pass by quickly and hopefully I am not in a dangerous area.

“What can’t get enough of me?”

“Clearly not!” New guy what are you doing here?

“Well actually I can’t say that because I saw you a while back but you were walking so fast making it hard to catch up to you.”

“Oh sorry, lot of the mind so just kept going and now I need to question where I am and how I got here. Thankfully I don’t think I made any turns so that’s good.”

“Oh well that helps.”

“Yeah.”

This is totally an awkward silence moment. Was he just stalking me?

“Well my building is actually about two doors down, if that gives you any reference for where you are.”

“Honestly not at all.”

“Figured.”

“Yeah but I believe if I keep walking but up that way I shall eventually come to a reference point. Or at least that is my plan of the moment, but who knows.”

“Sounds like a reasonable one.”

“Yeah.” So is this another awkward moment of me putting in head phones and walking away? “Oh funny thing is I have talked to you about three times and I have never asked your name.”

“Oh I don’t believe I have offered it up, so that is rude on my behalf.”

“Yeah but, no will agree to that simply people curtsy.” Oh God please laugh.”

“This is true.” Okay I got a smirk that’s something. “Well I am Nathan it is lovely to have meet you, and again.”

“Well Nathan it is my pleasure.”

“What brings you down here? I am assuming you don’t live around here.”

“Well that is up for debate seeing how I am somewhat from around here however I do not know where exactly here is so, yeah.”

“Well here is about three blocks from the metro where I saw you the other day.”

“Oh okay awesome, so I am not as far as I thought. Sorry caught up in these thoughts in my head so I could have been dropped in some foreign country probably without realizing.”

“This could be a foreign country and I am simply tricking you.”

“Now Nathan why would you do such a thing?”

“I have no purpose. No clue what I was thinking.”

“Heaven only knows.”

“Fact. I am sorry though I must run. You know those Tuesday ragers won’t happen without me.”

“Oh yes clearly they only happen due to you.”

“I am glad someone understands.”

“Yes.” We do smiles and I walk past him putting in my head phones. I guess random banter is where this relation shall stay.

“Olivia?”

“Yeah?”

“Your going the wrong way.”

“Oh, ha. Thanks!” And embarrassment. Grand! 

“Nice house.”

“Why thank you.” Shay releases his arm from around Monica waist and turns to look at her. “What brings you to the woods.”

“Andrew actually asked me to come here, but I have yet to see him.”

“He’s actually inside. Want to come in.”

“I do but it’s so beautiful here. Sorry we don’t views like this from my apartment.” Monica just continues to gaze up at the stars as if nothing else exist.

“That’s why people come to the woods, it’s something I like to call camping.”

Monica can’t fight back a smile. “Ha, ha. Very funny.” The two simple continue to stand outside neither wanting to turn or move just being comfortable with the silence. Shay turns to Monica about to say something while someone beats him to the punch.

“So you do make it out here.” Mike is coming down the stairs holding a Mike’s which isn’t exactly mainly but Monica can’t help the girlyness of the drink.

“I can get away from my comfort zone.”

“What brings you here?”

“Andrew asked me to come.”

“Right. Did you get to read over my folder?”

“No.” Which is a lie Monica read over every detail Mike left and started making an outline of what to send back to him and where he should look.

“Oh I guess your really busy then.”

“No. Just not sure what kind of read I get from you and it makes me question working with you. Sure it’ll have your name to it, but my name will also be out there.”

“Ahh yes your precious name.”

“Sorry to interrupt but do you guys need a moment?” Shay is starting to back away unsure of where this conversation is coming from or what is with all the tension that came into the air.

“No, Shay you can stay out here with Mike I was just heading in.” Monica goes p the steps and makes it to the door frame when Mike is suddenly next to her. “Can I help you.”

“Yeah, I think I want to take you out for a date.”

“I’m not the kind of girl you think of doing something with. You either have the balls to ask or you don’t.” Monica just steps into the party leaving Mike at the door.

“Desiree where have you been?”

“What you mean? I got you juice. Where Zola at?”

“Oh, Zola went home. Why did it take you so long to get juice?”

“Because I had no money on me so had to get my stuff from Dad’s and then get it.” Desiree goes to the kitchen caring her stuff. Throw it all down. “Here’s your juice.” She takes out a small one serving juice.

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. Now why was papa here earlier?”

“What? When was he here?”

“Oh you were probably still out. I don’t know saw him when I was going for my stuff.”

“You would know better then I would.” Desiree just turn and grabs her bag to head up.

“You know, pa’s not that bad.”

“When did I ever say he was?”

“You don’t have to say it ma’ it’s they way you look at him.”

“Sweetie I may look at him a certain way because I know the man he was. Some days he is still that man. But most of the time he’s this man wanting all the money to make up for the things he’s lost. Did you know your father and I planned this bib move out west to California?”

“No.”

“Well when he found out I was pregnant your father wanted you to have more than we did growing up. He worked harder to try and get promoted in work, had me searching good school systems, we even visited a few houses. We fell in love with this condo. But your fathers company went other without any warning and he didn’t have a job. We was trying to look but hard when having such a specific skill set. So out went dream of moving. Then our cars, and I started working.”

“Ma’ why you telling me this.”

“Because you need to know your father. He wanted everything for you and I. But when a man cannot work for his family and a woman has to. It belittles them. Your father could not handle that I was also making more then what he was. So it drove us apart. I stopped working. Then we had no money and it broke your father and I. Your father just needs to see what I see. That is why I look at him the way I do.” Taisha said her peace, grabbed her juice and went to the front porch and just rocked on the rocking chair.