Page 46 of Second Chances
“Now, I just have to make him understand that it’s not the same for me. As much as our physical connection means to me, I still need that quality time and communication otherwise I feel like I’m locked out of his life.”Even though I know that he’s let me in more than most, being his first physical connection in five years.Beth didn’t tell Jane that last part; certain details weren’t hers to reveal.
“Are you ok?” Jane asked, recognizing how much Beth had calmed down since they first sat down.
“I mean, I’m feeling a lot better, thanks to you,” Beth replied giving her sister a grateful smile. “I was just so overwhelmed earlier, with everything that happened last night and then trying to rush out to get to meet you guys on time, that when Darcy semi-forced me to stay, my mind just went to the worst possible explanation - that this is just how he is and will never change. Which is partially true, but it’s not the whole story. I just spiraled and overreacted, but I’ll be ok once I talk to him. We both just assume that the other understands what we are trying to communicate, but if we communicate in different ways, we are always going to run into problems. I think we just need to be patient and understanding of what the other person needs. Patience and compromise don’t come naturally to us though,” Beth ended with a small laugh.
“You will get there,” Jane encouraged her, “I just don’t want you to give up on something that you know is worth it, someone that you love, out of momentary frustrations and miscommunications.”
“I know, thank you.” Beth hugged her sister. “I love you. You are my voice of reason. What would I do without you?”
“That’s what sisters are for. I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t there for me when Charles left. I know it’s not the same and even though Charles and I communicate more similarly than you and Darcy, we still have disagreements; we still misinterpret each other’s actions sometimes, but love is all about learning; learning about the other person, of course, but also learning about yourself, and what makes you feel loved.”
Before Beth could respond, Jane heard her phone ringing in the kitchen and got up to see who was calling, leaving Beth alone for a moment to think about everything that Jane had said, vaguely overhearing Jane’s part of the conversation.
“Hey, I’m back at the apartment talking to Beth. What’s up?”
“Oh, ok. Yeah, she is ok. I’ll call you later.”
“Ok. Love you too.”
“Who was that?” Beth asked as Jane came back into the living room.
“Charles.”
“Oh, did Darcy call him?”
“Yeah,” Jane responded hesitantly. “Well, kind of; he called Charles and then went over there while Charles called me. He’s really worried about you; Charles said especially because your phone is turned off.”
Beth gave her sister a wry smile.Of course, Darcy hadn’t given up trying to talk to her.Guilt washed over her, thinking of how he must feel, knowing that she didn’t want to talk to him and then her phone going right to voicemail. He was already worried about her and she’d just added to his worry out of anger.
“I should go talk to him; he wasn’t right in how he responded to me wanting to leave, but I wasn’t considerate in my response to him either.”
“If you are sure; you know you are welcome to stay here if you want,” Jane offered.
“I know, but I want to fix this. Or try to at least,” Beth admitted. She hated letting things go unresolved - part of her obsession with needing to know everything, including the outcome of this situation.
Beth turned her phone back on to see three more missed calls from Darcy and three text messages.
-Of course. I want to talk when you are ready.
- Please let me know that you made it to your apartment safely.
- Beth, are you ok?
That’s when he must have tried to call her again.
“Yeah, I have to go,” Beth said, suddenly impatient with needing to see him. “Wait, where is he? Is he still with Charles?”
“I don’t think so. Charles said Darcy was really agitated and just needed to be there while he called me, but then he was leaving. I’m assuming to head back to his apartment.”
“Ok, I’m sorry to dump all of this on you and then run but I just, all of a sudden…I just need to see him.”
Beth began to grab her things, pausing in the kitchen to stare at the roses.
“Just leave them, you can come get them later if you want them,” Jane assured her.
“Ok, thank you,” Beth replied, hugging her sister tightly, “I’m sorry again. I’ll let you know how things work out. Love you.”
“Love you,” Jane returned as she shut the door behind Beth.
