copyrighted to Aria(crune@coqui.net)


Conversation at the Docks 
by Aria (crune@coqui.net)



	Two people met at the docks during a sunny morning. One was a man 
dressed casually in jeans and a white T-shirt.  He was of average build with 
his dark brown hair mussed and unruly and green eyes. The other was a woman 
in a mauve business suit complete with a knee-long skirt and jacket.  She was
dressed neatly, from the elegant french twist that pulled back her light 
brown hair to her flawless make-up, which emphasized her brown eyes.  Both 
appeared to be in their early thirties.

	It was a Monday morning, so the docks were practically deserted, 
still the man and woman looked around at the few people that were there 
warily. Afterwards, they turned to each other uncomfortably. 
	
	Their eyes met for the briefest of moments before the woman lowered 
her gaze. 
	
	"We shouldn't be here", she said. 

	The man sighed and rolled his eyes. "I think we should just find a 
place to sit". 
	
	Still avoiding his eyes the woman said," I don't, what I have to tell
 won't take long".
 
	"What is it then?" 

	"That we should stop seeing each other". 

	The man looked genuinely surprised, but said nothing. 

	"This", she paused for a second and then said the word as if it was 
repulsive, "affair..." Her voice faltered and she sighed.  "Maybe it doesn't 
matter to you, but I can't do this anymore". 

	"What do you mean?" the man asked, irritated. 

	For the second time, she met his gaze and the man blinked. There were 
no tears in her eyes, just exhaustion. She looked old and weary. The man 
looked away. 

	"I don't know how do it", she said softly, "you wake up in the 
morning beside her, you eat the breakfast she makes, you wear the clothes she 
washes..." 

	He was angry now. "What's your point Ana?" 

	"I feel guilty". 

	The man started to laugh. 

	"Now?" he asked mockingly. 

	She ignored him then. 

	"I've never wanted this and I don't know why I have endured it for 
so long". 
	
	"Why do you?" the man asked.

	"I'm not anymore". 

	"I can tell you why you do this", the man said cruelly, "You can't 
stand to be alone, Ana. You can't stand having nobody, so you want anybody.  I guess no matter what 
I'm a sure thing.  After all, when your other relationships don't work you 
magically appear". 

	Ana's face paled as if she had been struck, she blinked. "And you?
Why do you do this?"
 
	"Because I'm an asshole, I guess. Because I like you, Ana.  Why 
do you ask this now?" 

	"And your wife?" 

	He shrugged, "I like her too". 

	Ana smiled humorlessly, "Great excuse for infidelity". 

	The man was silent for a moment, then gave a self-deprecating laugh. 
"I don't know why she's with me". 

	"Neither do I. I don't know why *I'm* with you.  I don't know
why she hasn't found out". 

	"She's a simple woman", he paused, and continued "I'm not loaded with
money and that's what most mistresses care about, according to Cheri I think.
I've always thought you appreciated the irony of me, of all people, having an
affair.  After all, I've been commonly labeled a loser ". 

	"I don't think it's that funny anymore". 

	There was an empty silence for a moment. 

	"And why, might I ask, is the cause of this change of heart? 
It can't be just guilt." 

	"I'm just tired, Max, I don't want to live my life like this, there 
has to be something more". 

	"And if there isn't?" 

	"Then, at least, I can have the comfort of telling myself I've lead a
moral life." She shrugged and smiled humorlessly.  Ana looked at her watch, 
"It's getting late, I have to go". 

	Ana turned to leave.

	Max grabbed her arm, "Do you want me to leave my wife and marry you?" 

	Ana looked at him with horror and pulled her arm away roughly, as if 
his touch burned her, "No! Never.  I never wanted that", she sighed, 
irritated.

	"I'm not a stereotype", she said. 

	"Then what do you want?" 

	Ana cocked her head to the side; "Haven't I ever told you?" 

	"Vaguely". 

	Ana sighed. "I want the impossible, Max. I want what you said: never 
to be alone," she laughed softly, "I know that's impossible. I figure, I just
have to learn how to cope, it's late I know but..." her voice trailed off. 

	"Spare me the dramatics, Ana, what if you latch on to someone else?"
 
	"You mean another married man?" She asked coldly her voice dripping 
with sarcasm.
 
	"I mean someone who doesn't care".  

	"As opposed to?" 

	"Look Ana, we've been together for five years, I may not love you, 
but I care". 

	Once again there was silence. 

	Ana blinked. 

	"And you think it makes me happy that you care?  That it's enough?" 

	"Ana you don't love me either so don't pretend that's a shock.  
Would you rather I didn't give a damn?" 

	"I much rather have not started this five years ago".
 
	"But you did". 

	"Yes and everyday I just marvel about why and some nights I get so 
angry with myself about all of this.  About your wife". 

	"My wife?" 

	"She doesn't deserve you, I hate the thought of what this might cause 
her". 

	"This matters?" 

	"Yes". 

	"I never realized you liked her so much", the man said sarcastically.

	Ana ignored his comment.
	
	The man sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
	
	"Are you all right, Ana?"

	"Everything's fine, Max". 

	Then Max did something unexpected; he reached out and embraced Ana. 

	"You want all of this over?" he asked softly. 

	"Yes, I do", Ana said.  Over his shoulder, her eyes reddened and Ana 
closed them tightly.

	Max did not notice her watery eyes when he pulled her gently away and
said softly, "Then it's over".

	He kissed her forehead and taking her hands in his, said, "Ana, you 
are the most complicated woman I have ever known," he laughed softly, "I 
guess that's why I was happy with you all this time". 

	Max paused for a moment then said, "There is one thing though, why 
haven't you ever asked anything of me?" 

	Ana smiled, "I knew that you wouldn't and couldn't give me 
anything I wanted". 

	"I would try". 

	"No, you wouldn't", she checked her watch again, "I really need to go. 
I have a meeting at 11:00". 

	"Ana, ask me for something now, anything, and I'll give it to you". 

	Ana looked at him skeptically.
 
	"Hey, it's been five years", Max gave a lopsided smile and shrugged.  

	"I don't want anything", she said softly.

	Ana turned and started walking away from the dock, her heels tapping 
loudly against the wooden planks. 

	Max saw her leave, but it never registered on his mind until she was 
yards away.  He opened his mouth to ask her to come back, but by then 
Ana's form was a mauve blur in the distance and it would be useless.



End


feedback welcome

 
  

    Source: geocities.com/athens/styx/9471

               ( geocities.com/athens/styx)                   ( geocities.com/athens)