Free A New Day by Nancy Hopper Page A

voice released the flood gates of Tasha’s deep confusion and unhappiness.  Her hidden grief came pouring out, so intense that it astounded and terrified her.  But Gary wasn’t worried.  He just held her close, and let her cry.  It took a long, long time.
         At last, she began to calm down, although she still clung to him shamelessly.  A hand so unbelievably gentle stroked her hair. 
         “ I don’t ... understand.”  she sobbed.
         “ I know.  It’s all right.”  he soothed.  “You’re going to be all right.”
         “ Will I?  I just want to die .”  she cried miserably.
         “ No, you don’t.  No, you don’t.” Gary reassured her.  “You just want to begin living .  And you will, very soon.”
         “ I don’t follow.”  she gulped.
         Gary just smiled, and hugged her tighter.  “I know.  You will.  But right now, I think I should take you back upstairs.  You’re shivering.”
         It was true. Tasha was grateful for, if uncharacteristically shy about, the arm around her shoulders.
         “ You’ve been very patient with me tonight.  In fact, all along.” she admitted quietly.  “I’m sorry that I’ve been so difficult and that I got your shirt all wet.”
         “ I’m glad I was here.”  he said quietly.  “I’d like to ask you to forgive me for my lack of patience with you, Tasha.  I was wrong.”
         “ I thought you didn’t like me.”  she said, with a hint of her old belligerence.
         “ I never said that.” he corrected her.  “I have certainly reacted to your behavior at times, and I’m sorry.  But that doesn’t mean I don’t like you.  Maybe we can make a new start, and do things right, this time.  What do you say?” he asked lightly.  “I know you can be delightful when you want to, and I’m not usually too hard to get along with.  I’ll bet we can do it.  We can make it our new challenge.  Something to stave off boredom and bad manners.”
         He hugged her shoulders congenially as they topped the stairs.  He stopped, and took her hand in his.  “Goodnight, Tasha.”  he  said gently, and kissed the back of her hand.  He smiled at her kindly, and went inside.
         Tasha stared after him, astounded by the gesture.  The man was simply impossible to fathom. 
         Saturday found Tasha and Deb sprawled on the beach, soaking in the sunshine.  They both started when a shadow fell on them.  Gary sat down between them, and made himself comfortable.  It was a very narrow space, indeed.  His hip was almost touching Tasha’s.  It made her feel exceedingly uncomfortable, but she didn’t want to appear rude by moving away.
         “ Well, hello there!  You’re actually not working?” Deb teased him.
         “ Hope you don’t mind me crashing, but you two look too good to be left alone out here.” he teased.  “Two tempting, pretty ladies alone on a beach!”
         “ Sure, we do.” Deb agreed facetiously.  “And I play quarterback for the Cowboys.” 
         “ And what position do you play?” Gary asked Tasha seriously.
         Tasha deliberated, her eyes assessing him critically.  “I just make sure I’m on the team who scores the winning point.” 
          Gary grinned.  “I can well believe it.”
         “ Gary, I forgot to tell you.”  Deb said suddenly.  “Diana called to remind you that tonight is the young adult night out.”
         “ I hadn’t forgotten, for once.  I even got it on my schedule before I double-booked it.” he said, and turned to Tasha.   “We’re going for pizza tonight, and then sometimes we do something else after.  It’s mostly teens and young couples.  You’ll go, won’t you?” he asked.
         “ No, thank you.” she was quick to deny.
         Gary looked disappointed.  “Why not?  Come on, Tasha, everyone has been complaining that they can’t