Save me!
Like a rollercoaster on high speed, the words echoed repeatedly in Joan's mind. Yet she smiled, albeit strained, as her friend, Mark, prattled on about his latest work project.
They'd met at a job interview and she was a total wreck that day. His easy smile and calming chit chat tempered her anxiety but she didn't get the job. Mark did.
He kept in touch after that day, texting and calling, and she enjoyed speaking with him.
Joan attended two more interviews and eventually got a job of her choice. They celebrated over coffee. She counted herself lucky to have found a friend when life was a little rough.
Meeting up for coffee every other day and face timing became their routine until she began to notice subtle changes.
Mark became nicer. He sent flowers when she got her first promotion at work. The card in it read: ‘Have dinner with me tomorrow at Masraff's. 8? Say yes.’
Discomfort set in, rekindling her anxiety. Was it going to be a normal dinner between friends or like a dinner date? It would be cruel to turn him down so she arrived at the restaurant at 8 sharp.
Mark was all smiles and dazzled in a black suit. He pulled out a chair for her like a gentleman and the evening began pleasantly.
As soon as the wine arrived and he'd drank a glass, the chattering began. She could barely get a word in and resorted to smiles and nods instead. When his hand brushed hers on the table and lingered, she gently pulled away.
Mark stopped talking and cleared his throat, his gaze taking in her hand that slipped away. “Uhmm, I've been meaning to tell you something,” he said.
She raised her glass and took a sip. “Oh. What is it?”
He leaned slightly forward and Joan saw it all in his gleaming eyes—the very thing that might destroy their friendship.
“Joan, I love this connection between us and feel we can be more than friends.” He gently took her hand on the table. “Tell me you'll give us a chance. We are good together, aren't we?”
She froze as the words hung in the air between them. Mark knew. The glow in his eyes dimmed a little.
He let go of her hand. “I…I'm sorry. I must have miscalculated—”
“No, Mark. I'm the one who's sorry. I wish I feel the same but I don't. We are good together as friends.”
He nodded and gazed down at the empty plates on the table. The silence was awkward. He called for the waiter and paid for dinner. “Thank you, Joan, for being honest with me,” he said with a smile.
The evening ended their friendship until they ran into each other again months later at a shopping mall. Mark was still his old self—charming and funny. “I'll give you a call,” he said before running off.
Joan felt a wave of relief as though she'd been holding her breath since the awkward dinner.
I hope you enjoyed reading this short story inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt word “save me”.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Image credit: StockSnap
