Early the next morning, Josh and Sabrina went to the auto shop to pick up his car. As Josh followed Sabrina’s car back to the house, he started to worry. Sabrina had been acting strangely all morning; she tensed up whenever he tried to touch or kiss her. Josh asked twice if she was alright, but she just said she was fine.
After they pulled into the driveway, Sabrina didn’t acknowledge him when she got out of her car. Without a word, she went inside and up to her room. She emerged minutes later in her running clothes.
Josh was beside himself until he remembered CJ’s words yesterday. Sabrina was pushing him away just as CJ said she would. She probably expected him to leave right away, now that he had his car back.
When Sabrina came back from her run, she was somewhat relieved that Josh wasn’t around. She couldn’t bear to be close to him, knowing he’d be leaving soon, probably that afternoon. She took a long shower and dressed, with Otis singing in the background.
She opened her bedroom door to go downstairs and there was Josh, waiting for her. He quickly embraced her tightly. “Please don’t push me away when I need you the most. I’m not leaving until tomorrow morning. You can push me away then if you have to, but for now, please just love me.” “Josh, I’m sorry, but I…”
The doorbell rang and Josh suddenly regretted calling CJ; he was here too soon. Sabrina looked incredibly relieved and ran downstairs to answer the door. CJ and Chelsea were both there, holding meat and charcoal. “Hey Bri. Is Josh here?” “Yeah, he’s…” “Right here.” Josh answered. “What’s all this?” “Since this is your last day, Opera Boy, I decided to cook a little barbecue. It’s my specialty. Bri, will you please take this stuff from Chelsea and help me outside?” “Yeah, I have to get going; I have an appointment in town, but will be back in time for lunch.” Said Chelsea. “Drive carefully, baby.” CJ kissed her and started for the backyard.
“Things looked a little tense when we came in, is everything alright?” “No, but you already knew that.” “Yeah…and I also know that he loves you, Bri. He really does.” “I know. I cope by pushing him away, but he copes by clinging to me. I’m hurting him a lot, aren’t I?” “Yeah.” “What should I do?” “Remember last year when Chelsea’s sister got married?” “Yeah.” “She was one of the bridesmaids and wanted me to get all dressed up in uncomfortable clothes and escort her down the aisle. I hate that stuff, you know that. But on the day of the wedding, I was there, uncomfortable as hell. When it came right down to it, as much as I hated being in the wedding, that’ s how much I love Chelsea. I guess sometimes, if you really love someone, you have to do stuff that hurts to make them happy.” Sabrina smiled and hugged him. “Thanks CJ.” “You’re welcome.”
Sabrina went back inside looking for Josh, but he wasn’t in the living room or kitchen. She climbed the stairs calling his name. His voice sounded from the guestroom. “In here, Bri.” Josh sat on his bed, with his bags more or less packed, but he wasn’t paying attention to them; it was as if he’d just stopped in the middle of it. In his hands, Josh held a small box and looked at it pensively. “Josh…should I leave you alone?” Josh shook his head, smiled and patted the space next to him. Sabrina sat next to him and held his hand. “I’m sorry, Josh. I really am. This is just a lot harder than I thought it would be. I don’t want to think about your leaving, but I hate having to shrink from your touch or look away from your gaze. Most of all, I don’t want to hurt you anymore.”
Josh kissed her hand and interlaced his fingers with hers. “Thank you. Actually, I’ve been sitting here debating with myself whether or not I should give this to you.” He placed the box he was still holding in Sabrina’s lap. “I’m sorry it’s not wrapped or anything, it was kind of a rush job.” Sabrina opened the box and gasped. Inside was a ring with a platinum band centered with a beautiful purple stone. “Josh, this is too much, I can’t accept it.” “Don’t you like it?” “I love it, it’s gorgeous. What’s this stone?” “It’s a garnet, my birthstone. It was CJ’s idea to use my birthstone instead of a diamond or something. He said this would mean more to you.” “He was right.” A glint of something under the band caught her eye, and she held it up to the light. “You had it engraved. Un amore per sempre.” “It means one love, forever.” Sabrina’s face grew tense. “I know.” “Bri, I’m not asking you to commit to anything you’re not ready for. This isn’t an engagement ring or a promise. All I want is for you to look at that ring five years from now and remember how much I love you.” Sabrina let a single tear fall as she slid the ring on her finger. They were about to kiss when CJ’s voice from the open window. “Hey get down here you two, I’m not doing this barbecue by myself, you know!”
