2020-03-23 - Just a sec...

Wayne's intention was to finish cleaning up breakfast while Katherine got ready for work. It was one of those night's where she had stayed over. Omelettes and Bacon, fresh orange juice, sipping coffee, it all felt like a functional life. He was going to tell her about his gifts, about the research he had done on that part. While washing a plate he heard a phone vibrate alerting of an incoming text. So second nature, he reached out for it and opened the phone. He was curious as her phone was rarely unlocked. A text exchange with her boss confirmed something he already knew about her former relationship... it was still unresolved and for all her posturing and talk of moving forward, there was still a hurt girl underneath in need of a taste of revenge. He cringed noting he could not be mentioned in name, nor what kind of plans they even had for her birthday.

He walked to the living room, in search of meaning, courage... something? Whatever it was, he found it and waited for Katherine to come down dressed. Not the day he had in mind. That much was certain.

She has been tired. Driving up to Seattle for meetings can be exhausting but Katherine trudges on, only because she wants to stay in Gray Harbor despite repeated warnings about the dangers of living in the small town. She’s building up a clientele and it’s important to do the big city networking.

With a tired sigh, the brunette in a lavender suit shows up in the main floor, joining Wayne. “Oh hey, Wayne, have you seen my phone? My tired brain can’t seem to find it.” She’s checking the dining room and is calling out from there.

"Yes, Here it is." Wayne handed over the phone with her text conversation visible. "You can take the rest of the coffee in a to go mug." He moves to pull one down from the cabinet and pour the coffee. "I have been thinking, a lot about what we talked about at St Patrick's Day. Maybe we just are not at the same stages when it comes to this." He gestured with his hand between them. "Whatever this is. I am sure its me, I thought you wanted a friend early on. Maybe you just wanted someone to keep you from being lonely. We can try and reestablish the friendship if that works better for you." Wayne nods.

Katherine thinks about what Wayne is saying and a part of knows he’s right. She doesn’t even question whether he’s seen the messages on her phone when she sees the text messages displayed. She sighs.

“I would like that...” There is a pause before she adds, “I thought I was ready. I thought I could be ready. I was wrong. Until this crap with Easton gets resolved, I’m not going to be ready for more with you.” She lowers her eyes at the the ground and turns to grab the coffee in the kitchen, trying hard to contain the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"I know you did. I understand. Now then, grab yourself some coffee, freshen up when you get to work. It will be okay." Wayne actually hugs her before releasing her just as quick. "I will talk to you later." He turns to head back to the living room.

After the coffee is retrieved, Katherine heads towards the door to leave but stops by the living room. “I’ll text you when I’m in from Seattle,” she announces, and doesn’t even hide the fact that she has lost her composure from Wayne, her eyes red from having had a cry before washing up and leaving the kitchen.

Wayne looks up and nods as she speaks, a sad smile to hide his feelings. He puts a pair of earbuds in, listening through a song on Spotify while he waits to hear the front door close.
Knowing she is out, he pauses the song and selects the bluetooth speaker in the room as his play device, the song "I'll Be Ok." The band is Nothing More

"We live in the rain, a sea of change
You can't keep anything you take
The lovely face of lives we chase
Is but dust for wind to take
When all is gone, the only loss
Is to not have loved at every cost
When you can say, and I can say
We loved with every step we take, I'll be ok"

Wayne closes his eyes unable to stop the tears any longer. The two windows nearest to him shatter outward with the force of a release that drives him to his knees. "I'll be Ok..."