Joey and Christine

"Joe?Are you alright?You look a little pale.." said Christine with genuine concern. "What?No, I'm fine. How's your cob salad?" "It's a cob salad. It's the one dish which stays the same whether you're in Leeds or the West bloody end!Now tell me what's the matter with you. You've been acting strangely ever since you got here." Joey placed the bendable plastic spoon on the rim of the plate. Even a passer by would have been able to see that Joey's mind was clearly not at peace. Christine sat patiently waiting for an explanation from her best friend. Her blue eyes sparkled ever so slightly in the mid afternoon sun which betrayed the existence of frustrated tears.

Joey knew that now was the time. It was actually too late. This conversation should have happened long ago. But such technicalities couldn't be considered at the moment. "Christine" said Joey purposefully, "I'm in love with you. I have been for almost a year now and I didn't know how to tell you. But here I am, laying my heart out."

Birds sang carelessly, children pranced around chalked lines and plump mothers chattered about Betty Fynn's botched nose job. It all seemed quite realistic. But then why was Christine trying so hard to wake herself up? "I...I..." "You don't have to say anything." "I have to go." "What? Now?! Christine please stay. I don't want to leave it like this." Christine looked up briefly and in a hushed tone whispered "I'm sorry." And with that, she stumbled out of her chair and walked away, quickening her pace with every step.

A red rubber ball bounced lightly and landed next to Joey's foot. "Excuse me ma'am?Could I have my ball please?" said a timid voice that seemed to bounce towards her as fast as the ball had done only a moment ago. She handed him the ball, all the while her gaze transfixed on the shrinking image of her one true love.