It seemed like years ago she cried, that she felt such weight, such hatred. The hatred hadn't subsided but she could say with all honesty she was fine. She couldn't find a word to describe the sensation, the feeling in her chest as she walked down the side of the road. She could even care less about the glances and murmurs around her, she was fine. More than fine! She was great, this must be the love the whole world talked about. This feeling right now that must be it.
"Let's go on a date."
"Today? But I'd rather just stay home with you like this, don't go to work." She whined.
"It's not work, it's Paul."
"Same thing!" She pouted..
"We haven't been on a proper date, come on it'll be fun, we'll go to a remote island just the two of us." Jason stated, enticing her.
"A trip? Can you do it? Stay away from work for more than a day?"
"One week, two of us hmm? Think about it as calm before the storm." He smiled.
"What storm?"
"The havoc I'm going to wreck on the Lee's." This, his last statement brought a smile to her face. "Meet me in the office in two hours, I already had them pack your stuff. Take you time getting ready okay?"
"En" she nodded "Jason?" She called out as he was about to leave the room. "I love you."
"Me too, I love you."
Now she stood at one side of the traffic, waiting for the light that would be her salvation, allowing her walk to the other side. With a big smile on her face her gaze remained steady on the man across the road with flowers in hand and a smile on his face. And as though the universe was listening to her secret cry the traffic slowed and came to a halt.
Without hesitation she stepped forward to take her first step but a strong grip prevented her from further movements. In alarm she spun around on high alert.
"Jessie" a familiar voice responded.
"Tony?! What are you doing here?" Jessie asked in shock. "Were you passing by? Why do you look like this? Have you not been sleeping? Come on you have to take care of your health, you're a dad!" She nagged the older shorter man that held on to her like his life depended on it.
Assuring her with a soft smile "my new celebrity is so difficult work is tough these days." He replied.
And she sighed, "see? I told you you'd miss me one day, and to think all you did was nag at me!" She huffed.
"Looks like the tables have turned now." He remarked.
"I wouldn't have to nag you if you took care of yourself!" She exclaimed, patting his cheek "do you know how much it breaks my heart to see someone else mistreating my Tony? Infact who is that jerk that thinks she can get away with treating you anyhow?! Tell me her name!" She frowned.
But Tony only laughed, "I miss you Jessie, so much. You deserve to shine again, you deserve more than you ever got."
"I'm satisfied Tony, I did everything so I shouldn't have regrets. I'm happy Tony, happier I didn't think I could but I am." She replied glancing at the other side of the road at Jason, but it was hard to see him through the already moving traffic but she could tell he seemed impatient and anxious. He was already scowling.
Tony followed her gaze to Jason across the road and smiled as well "I'm glad you have him, you deserve to have someone in your life."
"Someone else, I already had someone in my life. You, now I have others, my only wish now is that Patricia and her family pay for everything they've done."
"That's good then, I made the right decision then." Tony said with a sad smile.
"What decision?" Shs asked but he pushed her towards the road.
"Go, before he comes over here, he looks like he's bout to explode waiting for you" Tony urged her. She looked reluctant but he urged her on, assuring her and reassuring her.
So she turned away and walked further, walked on. Covering the distance that stood between her and the love of her life, so focused on her destination she didn't notice her death approaching with the fast wheels of a moving doom.
"Jessie!" Both men screamed at the same time, running into the road towards her. Confused and scared she froze as the van approached, but the god of death said 'not today'. Feeling a strong hand behind her pushing her away Tony reached her first. But she would be the god of death for him as well, 'not today!' She grabbed his arm as he stood willing to face the van on her behalf and they fell to the side of the road together. Several moments passed then her asked...
"Are you okay?" Tony grabbed her shoulders shaking her when she shut her eyes and remained unresponsive.
Opening her eyes slowly she groaned and Tony eyes widened when he saw evidence of her injury, red liquid staining the tarred road. She took the brunt of the fall.
It was not over yet, indisposed as they were another van came at them, this time they remained unaware. "Watch out!" Jason yelled as Tony pulled a wobbly Jessie to her feet. Repeating the same action, Jessie fell away by the strong shove of Tony's arm. Her outstretched arm falling away and away from the man that stood beside her even more than her own family. She was out of it but somehow through the look in his eyes, the tear that fell and that sad smile she knew. She was not the god of death, she had no power to stop him or decide for him.
And in the blink of an eye the van passed and she fell on the hard floor for the second time that day, but Tony was not there with her. Tony was not there with her! That was the only thing that kept ringing on her head as her vision blurred, Tony, Tony was not here with her.