As Josh descended the stairs the next morning, he could hear Sabrina and CJ talking about him. “I just think it’s best for you if he leaves. I don’t want to leave you alone with him.” “I’ve already told him he can stay until his car is fixed. I’ll be fine for four days.” “All I want is whatever’s best for you. Whatever you decide is fine by me.” “Alright, then I say he stays.”
Josh quietly went up the stairs again and came back down, making as much noise as he could. “Morning guys, what smells so good?” “CJ cooked some waffles, I left two in the warmer for you.” Josh put his hands together in his best imitation of Mr. Burns. “Excellent.” Sabrina laughed. “Smithers…” “You guys gotta lay off the Simpsons. Bri, I’m going to town to meet Chelsea. Do you need anything from the store?” “No thanks, I’m fine.” “CJ, would you mind dropping me off? I mean, since you’re going anyway.” “Sure, but I’m not coming back anytime soon…” “That’s fine, I’ll just get a cab or something. I really want to check on my car.” “Alright, let’s go, Opera Boy.”
As they left, Sabrina was genuinely surprised by Josh’s behavior. He didn’t try to talk to her about last night, nor did he try to use CJ’s absence to be alone with her. He barely even looked at her. She should’ve been happy, perhaps even relieved. Why then, did she feel like crying?
“Look, Josh, about last night…I’m sorry I threatened you.” “It’s Ok, you’re just looking out for Sabrina. I know you wouldn’t actually hurt me.” “I’ll kick your ass and make it hurt, but I shouldn’t have said that about killing you. That wasn’t right.” “CJ, I’m not out to hurt her. I’m falling in love with her.” “You’re serious.” “Yes. I only want to make her happy, but I need your help.” CJ looked at Josh long and hard and to his own surprise, found that he believed him.
Sabrina sat worried at the front window. Josh and CJ left two hours ago, but now there was no sign of Josh and it was pouring rain again. She was about to go look for him, when she saw him running up the walkway. He was completely soaked and carried a large basket in his arms. Sabrina ran to open the door for him. “What on earth…?” “The sky looked so clear this morning, I can’t believe it’s pouring like this!” “That’s the Midwest for you; they say if you don’t like the weather, you should wait five minutes.” “It’s a good thing CJ gave me his jacket.” “Not that you used it, what’s in the basket?” “It’s a surprise. I’m going upstairs to change, promise me you won’t look inside.” “Alright, just go change before you catch your death.”
Josh came bounding down the stairs ten minutes later. As promised, Sabrina left the basket by the door. She handed him a hot cup of tea. “It’s rose hips with honey; it’ll warm you up and take care of those vocal chords.” He took a sip. “Delicious.” “So, what’s in the basket?” “Bri, you and CJ have been so great to take me in like this and I wanted to do something to thank you.” He took the jacket off the basket and inside were Sabrina’s favorite foods. “We have St Louis-style pizza from Imo’s, fresh strawberries, a cup of white hot chocolate and Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia.” “Oh, Josh, that’s so…” “Wait, there’s one more thing. Since it’s raining out and you can’t go to nature, it must be brought to you.” He pulled out a beautiful bouquet of fresh wild flowers. As she took them from him, she noticed a few of his fingers were swollen. “What happened to your hand?!” “Oh…I got stung by a bee when I was picking the flowers. I’m not allergic or anything, it’s OK.” “Why would you…?” He took her hands in his. “You know why, Bri.” She gently pulled away from him not wanting to hurt his hand. “So, what did you get CJ? This was to thank the both of us, right?” “Of course. All he wanted was an autographed CD for Chelsea.” “Oh. Well, are you going to help me eat all this or what? There’s a ‘Simpsons’ marathon on TV.” “Woo-hoo!”
Sabrina didn’t understand it. Josh came on so strongly before, but now he acted as if nothing happened between them yesterday. He didn’t even try to put his arm around her as they sat together on the couch all afternoon.
“What time is it?” “Almost 6.” “I almost forgot. CJ wants us to meet him and Chelsea at the Shack tonight at 8.” “Is that the restaurant/bar you told me about?” “Yeah. They usually have a band playing, but tonight is karaoke night. Would you mind just putting our dishes in the sink? I’ll do them later.” Without waiting for a reply, she disappeared up the stairs.
Josh looked at Sabrina and couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her. She’d barely said a word to him since they got in the car. He told her she looked beautiful, which she did, but he didn’t know what else he should say to her.
Sabrina was pissed off…at herself. She’d more or less told Josh to back off, but she didn’t think it would hurt so much when he did. She finally knew what she wanted, but it looked as if he didn’t want her anymore.
CJ waved them over as they walked into the Shack and to Josh’s dismay, David was also with them. He gave Sabrina a single red rose and kissed her hand while Josh inwardly fumed. He thought he was going to be physically ill when David tried to show off his knowledge of theatre and opera. “…I love Puccini’s operas, especially ‘Nesum Dorma’ and ‘Don Giovanni’.” After listening to this for ten minutes, Josh couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Oh, please.” “What?” “Mozart wrote ‘Don Giovanni’ and while Puccini actually did write ‘Nesum Dorma’, it’s not an opera, it’s an aria from ‘Turandot’.”
Sabrina rolled her eyes to heaven. “Josh, can I see you for a moment please? Help me pick a song for Chelsea and I to sing.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him aside. “What the hell do you think you’re doing!?” “Me?! I’m not the one trying to impress you with how much I don’t know about opera. He’s all wrong for you.” “That may be so, but you didn’t have to embarrass him like that. Besides, why do you care anyway?” “You know I care Bri.” She turned on her heel and sat back down. This wasn’t going at all the way he’d planned. There was only one thing left to do and he prayed it would work.
“Where’s Josh?” “I don’t know…God, what next? What else can happen to me today?!”
Suddenly, all the lights dimmed, save the ones onstage. The DJ apparently found someone who wanted to sing. “Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for my friend Josh, who wants to let a special lady know how he feels.” Josh could only remember one other time he was ever so nervous and Celine Dion wasn’t half as intimidating as Sabrina at this moment. He just took a deep breath and focused on Sabrina’s face.
‘You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off of you
You’d be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I’m alive.
You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off you.
Pardon the way that I stare
There’s nothing else to compare
The sight of you makes me weak
There are no words left to speak
But if you feel like I feel
Please let me know that it’s real
You’re just too good to be true
Can’t take my eyes off you
I need you baby
And if it’s quite alright
I need you baby
To warm my lonely night
I love you baby, trust in me when I say
Oh pretty baby, don’t let me down, I pray
Oh pretty baby, now that I’ve found you stay
And let me love you baby, let me love you…’
The applause was deafening as the song faded. It took Josh a few minutes to get back to the table as people kept stopping to congratulate him on his performance. When he got there David, thank God, was flirting with their waitress, but Sabrina was gone. CJ discreetly nodded to the porch outside, where she was standing alone.
“Bri?” She slowly turned and walked towards him. They locked eyes for a moment and she looked as if she was going to kill him, but instead, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly.
As their kiss ended, they just held onto each other, enjoying the moment. “I’m still mad at you, you know.” Josh smiled and kissed her head. “I know, baby. I know.”
