Life Line

3. Mr Collins

He sat with me all night in that damn stinking station. And by the end of the night I had seen plenty of those weird smirk things and was imagining what he'd look like with a beard.

"You know Mr Collins, you're not half bad for a stranger"
"Oh sweetheart, we've stopped being strangers like three hours ago"
"How old are you?" I have a bad habit of speaking my thoughts.
"Twenty eight in a few months"
"Oh, you seem older"
"In what way? Cause you can't possibly mean that I look old" he winks and I see a hint of those dimples I've been eyeing all night.
"It's your eyes. Okay I'm getting ahead of myself" I cover my face with my hands.
"It's ok" he pulls my hands away and I look up in complete embarrassment.
"So what, you gonna ask me out or not?"Again, such a filthy habit.
"Would you like to get coffee with me...as friends? " he clears his throat in an awkward fashion. It's as if he wanted to ask me out, but cut himself off. My eyes immediately dash to his left hand that's been stuffed in his pocket for most of the night. Dammit, I walked into it! He's married you dummy!
"Yeah maybe we shouldn't"
His eyes follow mine and he sighs.
"It's just coffee sweetheart"
Something in his eyes make me curious and I give in.
"Just coffee, as friends. But then you've gotta tell me your story"
"Oh there's no story, I just don't date"

Now

"I'm going crazy not telling him, but I can't seem to find the right time"
"Honey you're gonna have to do it soon. Before you turn into a hephalamp"
"Gee thanks"
"Ahh what are sisters for"
My twin sister Lyla, the complete opposite of me. In every way except features. Unfortunately, we're identical. And yes many guys have been broken up with because they couldn't tell the difference. Not Ray though, he knew from the moment he met her. He says her personality shows on her face.
"I'm serious though, I want him to be at the ultrasounds. I can't keep this up"
"Then stop putting him first stupid girl. Just blurt it out like you do with everything"
"Yeah thanks for the advice, but I don't think I'm going to take it"
"Cheers"
"I'll call ya tomorrow"
"Okay Add, just tell him okay. He's gonna be thrilled"
"Hmmhmm"

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I've been thinking alot about how I could make it up to Addison and I think I know what to do. That is until I walk in the front door.
"Sweetheart, you in here?"
"Hi Ray" her eyes are red and swollen and her skin is so pale I can see the blood vessels.
"Babe, you okay?" I reach for her and she takes a step back.
"I uhm, I'm just like really nauseous. I'm gonna go lay down"
Her behavior is weird, but not unfamiliar to me. And it's a scary thought.