Episode 59: Scene Four
"I don't know what to do, man," Brent whined for the fourth time. "I've been pounding my head against the wall trying to figure out what to do, but it's not working."
"The first thing you need to do is calm down," Allan advised after taking a swig of his chocolate milk. "Getting yourself all worked up doesn't help."
Brent took a deep breath and looked his friend in the eye. "Okay, I'm calm now. But please, Allan, give me some advice."
"I think you know what you want to do. You told me it's been bugging you for a while, so why don't you just get it over with?" Allan said. When Brent didn't offer a response, Allan shook his head. "Don't be a part of something you know you don't want to be a part of."
Brent nodded his head in resolution. "I guess that means there's only one thing left to do. If Eve can't have any faith in our relationship, there's no use going on. By the way, how did Francesca react when you broke up with her?"
"She knew it was for the best. It was hard for both of us, but Francesca didn't fight; she just let go. I haven't seen her since we talked, so I don't know how she's holding up. I just hope I didn't hurt her."
Brent put a reassuring hand on Allan's shoulder. "Don't worry, man. If Francesca reacted the way you say she did, I'm sure she's getting over it. You will too."
Allan shrugged and took a bite out of his breakfast burrito. He smiled at Brent. "Who wants to think about problems when you have this," he said through a mouthful. "Man, those cooks really know how to satisfy an appetite."
"Haha," Brent laughed. After smiling off into space for a while, Brent hopped to his feet. "This is it, bro. It's time to tell Eve that she and I are over. I guess there's no turning back now."
A sudden crash caused Brent to jump and spin around. Standing in front of him was a trembling, shocked Eve. Her breakfast tray had fallen to the floor, burrito parts strewn all along the floor. "Oh my god. Eve, listen to me-"
Eve stepped backward away from Brent, her mouth wide open and her eyes wide and filled with disbelief. Tears were stinging her eyes, but they wouldn't fall.
"Eve, let's just talk about this. Please!"
Eve turned and ran from the dining hall. Brent was about to pursue her when he felt a strong hand stop him.
"Let her go. If you ever want to be able to let go of this relationship, you have to let her go," Allan said quietly.
Brent just stared at the swinging door that Eve had ran out of. This wasn't how he had planned it. He turned slowly to look back at Allan, then back again at the door. He gulped and said, "Yeah, I guess...I guess I do."