The other side

9

Meryl and Don stayed the rest of the week together. He hadn't let her by herself not even for one minute, because God only knows if she would hurt herself again. By that time, she hadn't told him anything about the letter; maybe not telling, she would be able to forget it and live her life as nothing had happened. The reality, though, was that she wasn't feeling well about herself, and deep inside every one of those words was already in her mind. Besides that, Meryl was enjoying the time with her husband as much as possible.

On Monday, Don had to meet Sandy, so he was preparing himself to let Meryl alone and not to freak out about it. He was trying to not fussing over her so much because he knew it would upset her, but he couldn't help himself - nothing could happen to her; he couldn't allow it. The solution to solve the problem was canceling the reunion, he thought; so he called Sandy. 

"Hello, Sandy, how are you? 

"Hi, Don, everything ok. Did something happen?" - she had no idea why he was calling her… 

"Oh, I have some problems here. I apologize, Sandy, but I wouldn't be able to meet you today. Can you meet me another day?". As soon as he said it, Meryl entered the room, listening. Immediately she worried, what the hell happened. She gave Don a questioning look. "Sandy, I am sorry. I will call you in 10 minutes". 

"What happened, Don?" Meryl asked him. 

"Darl, I don't feel secure about leaving you by yourself" 

"What the fuck, Donald?!" She asked him angrily. 

"Babe, listen. I can't, just can't do it" 

"Donald, believe me. I am fine. You will call Sandy and go to this fucking meeting. What do you think I am?!" She was livid. 

"Darl, I am just apprehensive. What if…" 

Before he could finish, she spoke "You will go, Donald. It is not an option. I am fine, nothing will happen. Please, go. If you don't, I will feel bad" she was loosening up. 

"Ok, babe. But, please, please, if you need anything, call me. Don't hesitate." 

>> 

Sandy and Don met in his studio. She was very interested in his work. He was a talented artist, no question. 

"All these sculptures, they are amazing! And, god, these paints right here!" Sandy was walking around the studio, Don is a great artist and she just found out that he did paints too. 

"Ah, these there are so old. I made it when I was in Italy, almost 5 years ago. I don't do anything for real, I just like to do it, you know, another way to express my feelings". He walked close to her. 

"They are beautiful! You should paint more often" sandy turned out and could see a drawing table. "Are you drawing something?" 

"I keep my sketches there" he led her to the table and showed them to her. 

"I am in love, Don. You are brilliant! By looking at everything here I fell inspired to paint again" Sandy was excited by what she was seeing. 

"Thanks" he was embarrassed. "Well, I did not know that you were an artist too…" 

"Not an artist. I have painted and designed for some time, but I can't do it anymore. I'm not that good" she said as her happiness faded away. 

"Art is much more than being good, Sandy. We don't have to be good, we have to be free to feel and do what we want to." He was a kind person. 

"You are inspiring, Don". She gave him a big smile, and he nodded. 

"Thank you, Sandy. Well, we can discuss the project now. Shall we?" Don asked her and mentioned her to sit down.