The Myth Of Life

Ch.4: Her

*FLASHBACK*
I waited outside McDonald's. It was 10:26. I hoped women liked punctual men. I grinned. It was the first time I had asked one out. Only because I was now independent as I had a job. Security is what women look for in men. And I hoped Rachel would too.

The wind blew a little harder.

A taxi stopped a few feet away. A young petite woman with chocolate brown hair stepped out. I didn't think twice.
I could recognize Rachel even if she wore an astronaut's suit.

She paid the taxi driver and walked towards me.

"Hey Evan. Looks like I'm late."

Her perfectly green eyes looked into mine humorously.

"Of course not. I'm early. You're... perfectly on time, Rachel. Shall we go in?" I pointed towards McDonald's.

She laughed nervously.
"Um...no offense Evan...but I've already had my lunch. I thought this was a coffee/tea outing?"

Outing. Hmm. Interesting choice of words.

"Uh. Yeah I did too."
Lying was a piece of cake for me. "Let's walk over to that new coffee shop across the street." I knew  she loved coffee. She once told me, 'Evan if you and my coffee mug were falling down a cliff, you should  knowI'd save the coffee. Why? Well, we've known each other longer than you and me, And hey, a friend in need is a friend indeed right?'

I hid a smile as we walked to the shop.

And we spoke. Politics, movies, business, fashion, education -- we covered it all.
Thats's when I decided it was time.

"So um...Rachel. I've been wanting to tell you something."

She looked up from her phone.

"Yeah?"

My palms got sweaty although it was chilly.

"You know. I'm in love."

I waited for her reaction.
She sat up straighter, and put down her coffee.

"Uh-huh. Tell me about her."

I fumbled.

"Well. She's....." I couldn't finish.

Rachel looked at me eagerly.
"She's what???"

"She's simply beautiful."

"And.....?"

"She's petite, has the most silky brown hair. And magical green eyes."

I scanned her face for realization.

Nope. Women don't really know what their most beautiful features are.

"Aaaaaannnndd....Her name is ???????"

I touched her hand on the table.
"Her name is Rachel."

"Rach-- Wait, what?" She looked like I said her name. Well, I did.

"Evan...please tell me you're talking about another Rachel."

"Another Rachel with the same eye-catching features as you? I don't think that's likely."

"Evan. You don't understand. I..."

"You what?" I waited for a lame excuse to come out.

"I'm...I'm not interested in this relationship." She gave me a cold stare.

I blinked in confusion.
"Wha--Do you have someone else in mind, Rach?"

"No Evan. I'm going through too much lately. It's not the right time for a relationship...and I don't think it ever will be."
She looked at her lap.

"I'm sorry, Evan. You'll find a better girl than me."

I was prepared for this "escape quote" women love to use on men.

"It's not that I won't. But...I won't ever get one to replace you, Rach."

"Evan, I have to leave." I saw her tearing up. She didn't look at me. "I can't..."

"Hey. I understand, Rach. I know it's not easy to take in. I won't force you to stay even a second more. But before you leave...I need to know.
If you didn't have problems in your life, would you have said yes?"

She stood up. "Evan. I can't imagine a life like that. I'm sorry."

I saw her for the last time that day. She hadn't finished her coffee.

I walked home. There's a nothing a goooood warm sleep can't heal.
I had some dinner and got into bed.

                                   ________________

I was awakened by the sound of a couple shouting in some nearby building.

What a beautiful way to start the day.

I made some coffee and sat down to read that day's newspaper.

The top headlines made me drop my coffee all over my clothes.

No.