Page 74 of Things We Do for Love and Science
“Sorry man, I didn’t mean to... Haven’t had much sleep lately...” Jem bit his lip and dropped his gaze to Maria.
“It’s all right, Jem. I think I’d better head home.” Gabriel stood, but his cousin motioned for him to sit again.
“Gabe, stay. I want to know how you’re coping, and what Suzette and I can do to help.”
Gabriel watched the baby in Jem’s arms and smiled. “You have your hands full. I should be the one helping you, and before you protest, it’ll be good for me, keep me busy. Being around Maria will be great preparation for when my child is born. Please don’t worry. I’m going to make an appointment with a counsellor to help me deal with my emotions.”
“Good plan. Just remember you can always count on me.”
“I know, I know.” Gabriel gave Jem an awkward half-hug, mindful to not disturb the newborn. “Give my best to Suzette. I need to go now.”
Jem frowned. “Thanks for stopping by.”
~ * ~
The letter had comein a heavy envelope of cream paper with no return address, and Delia had torn it open carelessly, entirely unprepared for its contents. She sat on her sofa, tears streaming down her cheeks and reread the two pages filled with neat handwriting in black ink.
Delia,
I hope you’re well. I’m writing first and foremost to apologize. Sorry for not listening to you, sorry for trying to change you, sorry for being angry and hurt. You were never anything but honest with me, and it’s not your fault I fell in love with you. All I can offer as recompense is the promise to respect your wishes from now on. I owe it to you, me, and Vanessa.
With time, I’m sure things will get easier, and we’ll forget the pain we caused each other. I don’t want the fact that I loved you to keep us from becoming good co-parents.
Secondly, I wanted to let you know that I’ll do what you have suggested for a long time, which is to tell Brady-Greene about our ‘divorce.’ I wanted to give you notice in case he tells John Winter. My meeting with Brady-Greene is this coming Wednesday.
Also, I wanted to ask if you would accept your portrait? I’ve taken it down and was wondering if you had space for it in your flat. I know it’s rather large.
All the very best,
Gabriel
Delia’s hands were shaking.
I don’t want the fact that I loved you to keep us from becoming good co-parents.
He’d written ‘loved’ in the past tense, and the finality of it hurt.
I wanted to ask if you would accept your portrait?
God.He was purging her from his life as thoroughly as he could. She pressed her hands to her chest to stem the pain. Memories of their painting sessions flooded back—the easy friendship that had evolved between them. The spark of suppressed attraction that had burst into a blaze of passion and yes, love—unacknowledged on her part, until it was too late.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. He’d surely marry his new partner soon, and her portrait would hang beside his. Rightfully so, because it would be the picture of a real countess this time. Delia needed to make space; she had wanted it that way.
She was shivering, overtaken by the strength of her feelings all the more overwhelming for having been suppressed for so long. How was she to deal with this? She folded the letter and returned it to its envelope.
Gabriel had slipped into her heart, unnoticed, and the emotional fallout of losing him devastated her. She typed a short message to him before dialing her brother’s number.
“Tom.” Delia held her phone away from her face and fought the urge to cry. She hugged herself with her free arm and pulled her legs up on the sofa. “I know it’s late, but can I come over?”
“Sure, sis, what’s wrong?”
“I’ll tell you everything once I’m there. Sorry for landing on you like this but...but I...” Tears swallowed the rest of the sentence.
“Let me come to you,” he said. “I don’t want you to drive when you’re in such a state.”
“Thanks.” She tried to steady her voice. “Thanks so much.”
Delia opened the door to Tom and threw herself into his arms. Her head ached from crying, and her eyes felt swollen. She pushed her face against his jumper, and he held her until her sobs quieted.
