"What we had is over, Dawn. You don't have to do this anymore. You're free to go."
I traced the glass separating us with my fingers, looking into his green eyes and whispered to the phone, "So you want to know why I'm still here?"
He just stare...
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Now that I have found you
In the coolth of your evening smile
The shade of your parasol
And your love flows through me
Though I drink at your pool
I burn for you, I burn for
You and I are lovers
When night time folds around our bed
Had that been The Police or Sting? I couldn't remember as the words filled the car interior.
Jayne and I were on our way down to Positano. The weather had surprisingly upgraded: the sky a clear blue, the sun visible above us. My companion was looking out from the window while I drove. From one stolen glance, I realized she looked wary, more tired since the past few weeks.
When the song ended and a commercial came on, she reached for the radio, her green eyes similar to her brother flickering at me for encouragement, perhaps.
"It's okay," I smiled with my eyes still on the road ahead when the car fell silent, void of any sounds except for our own breathing.
"You look a little tired this morning," I broke the silence once again.
"I went to bed late last night," she said and after a pause added, "Were you and Silas arguing?"
My head whipped at her instantly but I recovered fast and concentrated on my driving. "Not really. He had a headache and just lost his... uh, temper."
An assuring smile formed on my face as I sighed. "It's fine. Don't worry."
"Did he lash out at you?" she asked spookily as we passed the local butcher shop, ignoring the old man's words about buying something fresh.
"No," I lied confidently. Besides, it was just one time. Well, probably several times back at Newburgh but he never abused me verbally. If anything, I had done the abusement. "Why do you ask?"
A bus passed by, a fascinating number of tourists laughing and chatting inside as we drove down Via Roma.
Jayne looked down at her hands when she spoke, "He had that habit as a teenager."
An idea sprung into my mind but that made it seem as if I was violating Silas's privacy. But this was the right time. If not now, then I'd have to forever hold my peace.
"Jayne," I said, almost casually when the car entered a tunnel, my eyes lingering on the convex safety mirror for one second. "Was your brother an alcoholic as a teenager?"
