Free Power of Attorney: A Novel (A Greenburg Family Book 1) by Alice Lang Page B

rumbling sound of the thunder rolled across the town. People started to head back into their shelter. Sarah reached her apartment in time to get away from the rain that started to drizzle down lightly. The moment she got to the room; the drizzle turned into a heavy shower with strong wind. The rattling sound of rain hitting the window was a good indicator that Patrick wasn’t going anywhere at that moment. And she didn’t have the heart to toss him out in the rain.
    “Well, now I’m stuck with you. Better behave Greenburg, you’re on my turf now.” She couldn’t help but smirk and then felt bad when the expression on Patrick’s face reminded Sarah of a kicked puppy. The rain didn’t look like it would stop anytime soon either. Until then, he was stuck inside Sarah’s home.
    Sarah was thankful that she cleared most of her stuff away and had given her small living area a thorough cleaning. She was wasn’t in the mood for a lecture on organization if Patrick ever decided to speak again anytime soon. He was always scolding her whenever she misplaced things in their office. She took off her coat and went straight to the kitchen for a drink.
    “Want anything? No alcohol though . I’m keeping it for my bad days.”
    “I was trying to help him .” Sarah stopped when she heard Patrick’s voice. It was the first time that he spoken since the restaurant, and his voice was quiet and soft, a tone Sarah had never heard from him before. She said nothing, didn’t even move a muscle. She only stood where she was and stayed silent.
    “I know that you two wouldn’t work out. Not because you are bad or that Henry’s bad. I just know that you two wouldn’t go far or even if you two did, it would end up in heartbreak. At least for Henry anyway.” Sarah knew she should feel offended, after all, how could Patrick know anything about their relationship. Every part of her brain screamed for her to shout back something to him, or throw something perhaps. However, her heart knew that what he said was partially true. Sarah knew that deep down she still felt that Henry was more of a friend than an actual boyfriend. She still felt the pang of the uncomfortable formality of their first date. Sarah wished it was different, but nothing could change what was true.
    “You don’t know that. You don’t know me , Patrick” It was the only thing Sarah could think of responding back.
    “I think you underestimate my ability to judge people , Sarah. I might not have been fond of you the first time we met, but I think I know you enough to tell you aren’t as emotionally involved in your relationship as he is. You like him, but not the same way that he likes you.”
    “But …” she sputtered. “Was it worth a lie, that big scene at the restaurant? Don’t you think a simple conversation would have made more sense? Besides, can’t he figure it out on his own or at least let us figure it on our own? Henry’s a grown man, Patrick. I know how much you love him, but not like this.”
    “Trust me I know that now, I’m an imbecile when it comes to emotions.” Patrick knew what he had done. He was very aware of the consequence he might need to face after this. He didn’t know if he could look at Henry ever again. “I guess that’s what I did all my life, let people down. Especially, people who are important to me.”
    Sarah was confused; she didn’t understand what he meant. She turned to face him. Patrick wasn’t the same man she knew at that moment. The person in front of her right now was a little boy from Henry’s story. A vulnerable child stuck in the body of a man. It was the first time she had seen the layer beneath the cold and composed armor that Patrick wore. He looked forborne, lost. Sad. His hands were fidgeting which was unusual. He couldn’t meet her eyes.
    “You don’t mean that,” she said, but Patrick was shaking his head in dismay.
    “I know you probably heard about our parents from Henry. He’s the kind that