| An End to a Beginning |
| Unconsciously, I stretched out my arm to encircle Brynne's body. But when I felt nothing except the cool, satin sheet beneath my hand, my eyes opened to the setting sun. I flopped back against the mattress, my head sinking into the fluffy pillow, and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I heard the rustle of a newspaper across the room and leaned up on one elbow to see Brynne sitting at the round glass table on the patio, the twilight sun creating a halo effect around her auburn hair. I pulled back the covers and crawled out of the comfort of the king-sized bed, snatching my boxers off the floor where they had fallen on my journey to the hot tub earlier that day. I slid them over my hips as I stepped out onto the balcony into the warm, tropical, evening air. "Hey, baby," I said, kissing Brynne's cheek lightly. She smiled upward at me. A sly smile that told me she'd had fun that day. I sat across from her, looking out toward the rolling white-capped waves and salty blue ocean in the distance. Even from here I could see the lone rock where I'd first seen Seraphina. 'Shit, Nick. Stop thinking about her,' I chastised myself. I leaned back in my chair, my face staring upward at the orangy-hued clouds that floated above us. "What do you want to do tonight, Nicky?" Brynne asked, folding the newspaper and setting it aside. I shrugged. "Whatever you want to, Brynne," I replied, my eyes still cast upward to the changing sky. "Well, I was thinking we could visit the cultural center," Brynne began. I glanced over at her, my eyes locking on her neck. "What's that?" I questioned. "The cultural center?" Brynne inquired, her eyebrows fitted in a look of confusion. "No. That," I clarified, pointing to the necklace dangling around her slender neck. She fingered the charm nervously. "I didn't think you'd mind," she replied. I put my hand up to my neck. Nothing. Seraphina's momento was absent. "That's my necklace, Brynne?" I probed, the anger rising in my body and my voice. "Yes, Nick. I didn't think you'd mind if I borrowed it. It's so pretty," she explained. "God dammit, Brynne! Of course I mind!" I snapped, rising to my feet. She jerked back in surprise. "I don't go through and borrow your things without asking first! How could you do that?!" Brynne stood quickly. "Christ, Nick! Relax! It's just a necklace!" she fired back, her hands planted firmly on her svelte hips. "No it's not!" I bellowed, taking a step toward her. She put her hands around her neck and unfastened the clasp the held the chain in place. "Here!" she screamed, chucking the necklace at me. I bounced off my chest and fell to the floor at my feet. "It's a pretty silly thing for a grown man to be wearing, might I add!" I hurriedly scooped it up and fastened it back around my neck. Where it belonged. Before I could stop myself, I advanced toward her quickly and grabbed her upper arms fiercely with my strong hands. I shoved her against the sliding glass door and stared her directly in the face. "This necklace means more to me than anything else in this world. Don't touch my things again," I muttered through clenched teeth. She stared back at me with frightened eyes, tears clinging to her bottom lashes. I dropped her arms quickly. "I'm sorry," I whispered before rushing back into the hotel room. I was rummaging through my bag in search of a pair of shorts when I felt Brynne's presence behind me. I turned around, a fresh pair of shorts in my hand, to face Brynne.There she stood, her arms folded under her bosom, one foot postioned in front of her. Red markings printed her upper arms where my firm grip had held her moments before. I reached out and gingerly stroked one flaming blotch with the tip of my finger. She jerked away from my touch. "What is so damn special about that necklace, Nick?" she inquired calmly. "What makes it the most important thing in your life?" "Nothing," I mumbled. "Nick, don't you dare lie to me!" she growled. "You never have before so why would you say something like that if it weren't true?" "Just leave me alone," I grumbled, yanking my shorts up my legs and over my buttocks. "No! Not until you tell me!" she yelled. "What is with the image in the charm, Nick?" she probed. "That is clearly you and don't tell me any differently!" "Okay! That's me! I can't deny it! Are you happy?" I snapped. "Where did you get it?" Brynne asked. "From someone whom I used to love." It wasn't a lie. She may not have been a person, but she was someone. The most special someone I'd ever met. But yet, it was a lie. I still loved her. "So, that necklace means more to you that I do? Nick, get over it! She doesn't love you anymore!" she shouted. Her head flew sideways, her hair masking her face. My hand stung and that's when I realized that I'd struck her. Hard. She sank to her knees, her face buried in her hands and her shoulders bobbing with her sobs. "Never say that again," I snarled. I jerked the T-shirt over my head and bolted from the room, feelings of guilt and shame invading my every pore. |