Page 30 of Sage

Sage took a deep breath and smiled a smile that Hans hadn’t seen since they were kids. “I’m going to start over and find Gretta.”

“Why can’t you do that here, with me? Both youandMarcy?” Hans pleaded.

“Don’t you get it?” Sage stepped off the train and walked over to Hans. “You’re the reason I got into this mess. You know damn well I can’t hide forever.”

“And I’m the reason you gotoutof this mess, too,” he reminded her.

Sage grasped the collar on Hans’ shirt and pulled herself up to him, their lips meeting once more as she placed one last passionate kiss that sent an electric shock through his body. “It’s always been you.” She looked into his eyes and smiled, releasing his collar. “Besides, we’ll all be together again one day. We’ve just gotta be patient.” Sage handed him a satchel of her favorite tea blend before she turned around and hurried onto the train as the conductor yelled, “All aboard!” for the last time.

Hans could see Sage through the windows, making her way towards her seat next to Marcy. He followed her, hoping she would be able to see him waving her off. As Sage found her seat, Marcy got up so that Sage could sit next to the window. Sage sat down, placed her hand on the window and looked out at Hans.

“I love you, Sage,” he shouted, desperation lacing his voice like he had never experienced before.For a brief moment he hoped she could hear him.

“I love you, too,” she mouthed the words right back, and warmth broke through the frigid air, warming up his once cold heart. It was no surprise that she loved him, but for the words to slip out without a single thought was shocking to him.

Choo. Choo.

The train started to move slowly. Hans stepped back, waving to Sage and Marcy until he knew they could no longer see him. At that moment, the sky let loose and rain started pouring down over Hans, but he didn’t have a care in the world. He reached into the pocket of his hoodie and pulled out his vape, taking a hit and slowly releasing it into the air before turning around and walking towards the exit.

Strolling through the parking lot, Hans was met with feelings that he had never experienced before. “I love her.”

“Does she love you?” a stranger nearby asked.

Hans laughed, he hadn’t realized that his thoughts had exited his mouth. “You know what? She does.”

“You’re a lucky man, and I can tell that she is lucky, too.” The stranger nodded at him and kept walking toward the station.

“Thank you.” Hans waved, a cheesy smile splattered across his face as he continued to his car, staring up at the sky as it continued to rain.

I love her.

After all the time that had passed, the secrets and everything else that they had overcome in just a short period of time, he knew without a doubt that he was doing exactly what he was supposed to be doing. Now all he needed was to get home and start applying for other jobs that didn’t necessarily put him in harm’s way.

He got into his car, connected his phone to the Bluetooth and then went to his music app. It was there he noticed a notification letting him know that he had been added to a group playlist with both Sage and Marcy. He instantly knew he was doomed to the boy bands and girly pop that he didn’t normally listen to. Regardless, Hans hit play and started listening.

Marcy’s taste was interesting, a combination of goth rock and industrial. If he was going to stereotype, this was exactly what he would expect, however, he still found himself surprised. The songs that Sage had added to the list were girly and romantic, and he could tell they were all songs that reminded her of their relationship. Hans couldn’t help but notice how different Marcy and Sage were, while also taking note of all the reasons they were so similar.

About a mile from his apartment, an unknown number rang through the music. For a moment his heart sank, was it in regards to Charles?

“Hello? This is Hans,” he answered the phone with confidence hoping to appease the caller on the other end of the call regardless of what they wanted.

“Hi Hans, how are you this afternoon?” He could tell the woman on the other end was older, but she had a pleasant voice that made him feel at ease.

“I’m doing great, how are you?” he responded.

“Great, thank you. My name is Sylvia and I’m calling from the New York City police department. We were going through paperwork and noticed your application had been tucked away at the bottom of it. I do apologize for the mix-up.”

He was unsure how his electronically filed application was filed in paperwork, but he decided that it wasn’t worth wasting either of their time with a silly question like that. “It’s okay.”

“Were you still interested in interviewing?”

Hans pulled into his parking spot and sat silent, why couldn’t he just immediately respond with yesI can be there tomorrow.

“Hello? Sir?”

“I’m sorry, I hit a bad service spot,” Hans lied.

“Oh. I was wondering if you were still interested in interviewing for the detective position we have open here. We can schedule an over-the-phone interview if you would be interested since it’s such short notice. I see you live in Maine.”

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