Free Take it Deep (Take 2) by Jaimie Roberts Page A

Brian and place the flowers on the side to look at the card.  Attached is a beautiful silver key ring of a star.  I open the note to read.  
    ‘I chose Hydrangeas as apparently they represent perseverance , and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to use that word to its fullest.  I love you and want you back in my life.  I want to give you the stars.  All my love, Jake.’ 
    I smile as a single tear falls down my face.   I don’t know how he does it, but he renders me into mush.  If he were here I’d be putty in his hands. 
    “I take it that this is from the man who broke your heart?” 
    I don’t say a word, I just nod. 
    “I guess he regrets that now.” 
    I look at Brian for the first time taking him in. He’s slender; about five foot ten and has golden brown hair and light gray eyes.  He’s pretty, very pretty.  It really does make sense now.  He’d be the kind of boy you’d bitch about to your friends that all the good guys are either married or gay.  This is certainly the case for Brian. 
    “I’m so sorry about all this.  Every time you see me I’m bloody crying.  Jeez, I need to get a hold of myself.”   He comes over and pats me on the shoulder. 
    “Don’t sweat it, I’m used to it.  I ’m like an agony uncle.  Whatever it is he’s done he’s obviously very sorry about it, but whatever it is you decide it’s up to you and no one else.  Only you can follow your heart and come up with the choice that’s right for you, and only you.” 
    I really like Brian now.  He seems very sincere and I think he and I are going to become firm friends.  I hold up my glass to him.  “To making the right choices.”  He raises his glass to mine and we clink them together as he repeats my words back. 
    His phone decides to vibrate, so he quickly licks his greasy fingers and wipes them on his jeans to answer. 
    “Hey , babes, what’s up?  Oh, you are?  I was on the floor above visiting a new neighbour.  She’s great; you have to meet her one day.” 
    He winks at me and I give him the thumbs up. 
    “I’ll be right down then.  Okay, see you soon.  Love you.” 
    He hangs up and thanks me for the wine and chicken. 
    “I better be off as he’s waiting for me downstairs.  It was nice meeting you again.  We must go out for a drink one night, if you want?” 
    I remember the strip club for the week on Saturday , but I’m not sure where we’re going yet and if he would really be into that sort of thing.  What the hell. 
    “Well, a week Saturday a bunch of us are going to a strip club for a laugh.  It was my birthday yesterday, so we’re celebrating that.” 
    I look at him to see if he thinks I’ve completely lost it , but he smiles. 
    “That sounds like fun.  Let me know when it is and I’ll see if we can make it .  Oh, and happy birthday for yesterday.” 
    “Thanks, that’s great.  I’ll pop down when I know more then.”  He leaves and I hastily make my way back to the bucket and wine.  I grab it and head for the sofa placing my chicken on the coffee table.  It is then I notice that the card is still sitting there from yesterday.  I had forgotten all about that.  I pick up the remote and flick through a few channels before I settle for a rerun of Friends.  I love watching that program. 
    I hungrily get through the chicken quickly and get up to wash my hands .  I’m keen to finally open this card and unlock the mystery of who sent it.  I trace my finger under the line of the card and rip. 
    I pull the card out and it says , ‘To the birthday girl.’ 
    I started to wish I had never seen it and just kept it there a mystery, for now I knew all too well who it was from.  I start to shake as I reread what it says. 
    ‘ You’ve been a hard lady to find and now I see you’ve changed your name.  It’s nice.  I saw your picture in the paper and I must say you’ve turned into a beautiful woman.  You got away from me all those years ago, I