Free Romance: The Second Chance - Contemporary Romance (Romance, Contemporary Romance, Suspense Romance Book 1) by Abraham Falls

with Ricky.
                  They grabbed a couple of hot dogs and headed to one of the tables by the water to eat them. They didn't usually eat their own food—repetition would have made it boring—but today they gave in. It would be a walk to go anywhere else, so they conceded to convenience.
                  They sat in total silence, the gentle breeze cooling their bodies. Three seagulls balanced on the edge railing, waiting for crumbs. Behind them lay yet another perfect sunset, fading into oblivion. Eli turned toward it, and wondered how many he'd seen. How many he'd watched with Hannah, holding each other for warmth as the temperature dropped with the light. What he would give to have her here to watch just one more.
                  A single tear rolled out of his eye, and he didn't try to catch it halfway. He instead let it slip. Falling freely down his cheek.
                  After a long silence, Ricky finally spoke. “How you doing gringo?” He spoke softly, without sarcasm or ulterior motive.
                  “I'm alright,” Eli said, still facing the half circle of golden light.
                  Ricky sighed, looked towards the sun and then back at Eli. “No, really Eli. How are you doing? It won't help to keep it inside.”
                  He had forgotten how well Ricky knew him, how he could sense when things were wrong. Besides Rudy, Ricky was really the only one he could trust and open up to.
                  He let out a wheezing laugh, “Not too good Ricky, not too good.”
                  Ricky nodded. “I know.
    “You know it's been almost three years? The anniversary is coming up again in June.” Eli shook his head and laughed. Gazing back at the sun, he said, “Where did the time go?”
                  “Ay,” said Ricky. “It does go by too fast.”
                  Eli knew Ricky could relate. His wife of 14 years, Marta, had previously miscarried two children, one even making it out into their arms before they finally had their first and only surviving child, Jay. He was eight, now, and thought the world of Eli. He always tried to get Eli to play games with him during the Ricky’s summer barbecues. Eli always obliged. He liked kids, and used to hope he would have some of his own. Though that was looking more and more like wishful thinking. He’d probably just have dogs for the rest of his life. But it could be worse.
                  “How are Marta and Jay?” Eli asked. “It's been awhile since I've seen them.”
                  “They’re good. Marta’s been sick, but she’s starting to feel better. Jay is very much ready for school to be over. I keep telling him it's only a few more months, but to him that is forever.”
                  “Yeah, I know the feeling...” Eli’s gaze slowly drifted downward, towards his hands on the table.
                  They finished their hot dogs in silence, then got up, gathered their trash, and headed back to Kirsten. Ricky stopped Eli at the garbage can.
                  “You hang in there, OK?” he said seriously. “You don't give up on me, and I won't give up on you. Me, Marta, and even Jay, we are here for you, you know that. Don't ever hesitate to call or come over. Alright? I'm serious.”
                  Eli nodded, and thanked him. Ricky pulled him in for a big hug. Though they rarely embraced each other like this, Eli admitted it felt good, and welcomed the encouragement.
                  Ricky didn’t bring it up again as they went back to finish off their shifts with Kirsten, but Eli knew the offer had been sincere. He also knew that although Ricky's intentions were good, he and his family could never offer Eli what he had lost. And he feared he would never feel whole again.

Chapter