CJ’s barbecue was delicious, and when Chelsea returned, the two couples ate themselves full. Sabrina did her best to have a good time, but inside, her heart was already breaking. She didn’t realize how much mental energy it took to keep her usual defense mechanism at bay and make sure Josh enjoyed his last hours with her. Sabrina fought hard to hide her pain, but CJ saw her sadness and so did Josh.
As they were cleaning up, Josh met CJ’s eye and they exchanged a look. “How about we go to the Shack tonight?” Josh asked. “Great idea, Opera Boy.” Said CJ. “Is that OK with you, Bri?” “Of course, whatever you want Josh. CJ, give me a hand with these dishes, will you?” They walked inside the kitchen together and put the dishes in the sink. “What are you doing?” she asked. “What could I say? ‘Josh, going to the Shack is a bad idea because Bri wants to surprise you?’” Sabrina heaved a helpless sigh. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure we don’t stay long and your plan will go off without a hitch.” CJ thought to himself how much simpler this would be if he weren’t helping both Josh and Sabrina surprise each other.
The Shack was pretty full for a Thursday night, but luckily, they had no trouble getting a table for four. Instead of karaoke, there was a live band playing; they were a great combination of rock and blues. They put Sabrina in mind of Sheryl Crow or Eric Clapton. Josh kissed Sabrina’s cheek and stood. “I’m getting a drink, anybody want anything from the bar?” “I’ll take a beer, imported if you’re buying.” Said CJ. “Of course and Chelsea?” “Vanilla Coke, please.” “Bri?” “Amaretto Sour.” “Alright, I’ll be right back.”
A few minutes later, a waiter brought their drinks to the table. It occurred to Sabrina to ask what happened to Josh exactly as the band started up again, and the intro sounded like her favorite Peter Gabriel song. She looked to the stage and sure enough, there was Josh behind a microphone.
“Love I get so lost, sometimes
Days pass and this emptiness fills my heart.
When I want to run away, I drive off in my car
But whichever way I go, I come back to the place you are
All my instincts, they return
And the grand façade, so soon will burn
Without a noise, without my pride I reach out from the inside
In your eyes/ the light the heat/in your eyes/ I am complete
In your eyes/I see the doorway to a thousand churches
In your eyes/the resolution of all the fruitless searches
I want to touch the light, the heat I see in your eyes
Love, I don’t like to see so much pain.
So much wasted, and this moment keeps slipping away
I get so tired working to hard for our survival
I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive.
All my instincts, they return
And the grand façade, so soon will burn
Without a noise, without my pride I reach out from the inside
In your eyes/ the light the heat/in your eyes/ I am complete
In your eyes/I see the doorway to a thousand churches
In your eyes/the resolution of all the fruitless searches
In your eyes/Oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light, the heat I see in your eyes
As Josh was finishing the chorus, he realized he could no longer see Sabrina sitting at the table. His heart stopped for a moment, but then he saw her walking slowly towards him. Josh let the band continue playing as he jumped off the stage to meet her. They locked eyes for a moment, and Sabrina held his face with her hands. The eyes Josh loved so much were brimming with tears. They shared a tight embrace while the crowd burst into applause.
The rest of the night was a quick blur. CJ and Chelsea had disappeared, but left Sabrina’s car in the parking lot. They drove back home and Sabrina led Josh to the gazebo, where she had a small candlelit picnic waiting for him. They talked and danced to the ballads of Ella Fitzgerald and when the night was over, found themselves together in Bri’s bed for the last time. “Bri, I have to talk to you about tomorrow. I’ve given this a lot of thought and I’m leaving early in the morning, while you’re still asleep.” Sabrina opened her mouth to protest, when Josh placed his finger on her lips. “I know. This is going to be hard enough on us, I don’t want to add to it with a long and painful goodbye.” “I hate this.” “I know, baby.” They curled up together in each other’s arms and tried to fall asleep.
A low roll of thunder made Sabrina jolt up in bed. She immediately felt next to her for Josh and found he was gone. She just barely heard the sound of his trunk being shut when she hastily put on her slippers and ran outside. “Josh!” He’d just climbed into the driver’s seat when he caught sight of her running towards him. Josh got out of the car just in time to catch Sabrina in his arms. “Promise me you’ll drive safely and I want you to call every night from your hotel so I know you’re OK.” “I promise. I’ll call you everyday, no matter what.” Suddenly, the dark clouds overhead opened and it started raining. “Bri…” “I know.” She kissed him for the last time, ran back to the front porch and watched him drive away.
When his car was out of sight, Sabrina slowly climbed the stairs and entered her bedroom. She curled up with Josh’s pillow, breathed in his scent and closed her eyes. Suddenly, she heard the raspy, mournful voice of Billie Holiday coming from her CD player. She’d forgotten that she’d set her alarm to Billie, but let it play, deciding that her music was more than appropriate. Sabrina started singing along with one of her favorites, “Good Morning, Heartache.”
‘Wish I’d forget you, but you’re here to stay
It seems I met you when my love went away
Now I start each day by saying to you
Good morning, Heartache, what’s new?”
CJ pulled into the drive way and slowly climbed the stairs. When he got to Sabrina’s room, he heard Billie Holiday’s voice barely masking Sabrina’s crying. He kissed his hand, touched the door and understood.
