Doug's Return

Carol sat by the window watching the rain drift down from the dark sky, like tears streaming down a persons face. Her face. Carol put her hand on her stomach, "Oh twins," she said, "Everythings going to be alright."Carol felt so alone. She had felt alone ever since Doug had walked out of her life' he had resigned and moved to Seattle. Doug wanted Carol to go with him, but she had refused. And so he had left her alone, pregnant, with twins. 'I'm all alone,' she thought "I'll be alone forever" she said out loud.

"Carol." said a famillar voice. Carol looked towards the door, and then she saw him. "Doug! What are you doing here?" cried Carol, standing up. Doug put on one of his cheesy grins and said "I missed you Carol." He walked towards her and put his hand on her stomach. "I missed you and the twins."
"No Doug." said Carol backing away from him, "I don't want you coming back here for the twins. I want you coming back for me."
"Carol." said Doug walking towards her, "I want you back."

Carol sighed in disbelief. "Doug, the world doesn't revolve around you-"
"Carol-" started Doug,
"No. Let me finish." Carol walked towards him and held his hands, "You left me Doug."
"I know, I'm-"
"You left me alone, pregnant, demoted and crushed. You performed an act Doug, which had consequences. These consequences affected everyone. Mark, Kerri...........me. You deserted me, and never even phoned. How can I forgive you? Tell me Doug!" Carol sat down crying. Doug sat down next to her and looked her straight in the eye.
"Carol. I tried to do my job. I tried to save a little boy from suffering. That's what being a paediatrican is all about."
"No Doug-" started Carol
"Let me finidsh," Doug stood up and pulled Carol up with him, "Whether or not you see it that way, that little boy is at peace now. And that is what matters." Doug let go of Carols hands, "Carol, I'm sorry."
"That's what you always say Doug." Carol walked towards the door.
"Please forgive me." Doug called. Carol turned, and looked at him, and then went.

The rain continued to pour, but Carol felt none of it as it soaked her jacket. She was too deep in thought. What if she did forgive Doug? Did she love him enough to go back to him? Did he love her enough to think about the consequences the next time he put their jobs at stake? Would there even be a next time? These thoughts swam through Carl's mind as she started to walk back inside. Suddenly, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist. Carol gasped and spun around. There was Doug in his brown trenchcoat, he smiled at her and she noticed his un-shaven face.
'Poor guy,' thought Carol, 'He must have driven for two days in that Jeep just to be with me.'
"I'm tired of playing games Craol." said Doug putting his hands on her face.
"It's not just about you and me anymore. We have the twins to think of now."
"I don't want to talk about it right now." Carol started to walk away,
"But you see Carol, we have to talk about it right now." Doug said, grabbing hold of her arm, "The longer we put it off, the harder it's gonna be."
Carol turned and faced Doug. She couldn't remember a time when she didn't love him. No matter how late he turned up for dates, no matter how many times he had let her down, she loved him. Doug had apologized to her so many times in the past, that she'd lost count She had forgiven him just as many times. But could she forgive him this time?
"Carol." said Doug clasping his hands into hers, "I love you. Please forgive me." There was a long silence. They looked into each others eyes. Carol held her stomach and thought of the twins. They needed their father. She needed a husband. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Doug sighed and slowly turned around and walked into the street.
"I forgive you!" Carol called. Doug stopped, right in the middle of the road and turned around to face her. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but was silenced by an ambulance speeding straight towards him.
"Doug!!" cried Carol motioning towards the ambulance. But it was too late. The ambulance rode over Doug as if he were a curb, and sped off. Carol cried for help and ran beside Doug who's frail body was shattered.
"I love you." she said, squeezing his bruised hand tightly. Doug opened his eyes slowly and looked at Carol,
"I love you too."

THE END


Home