We walked down the sidewalk, laughing and reminiscing until we got to a much more quiet, less-busy bar quite a few blocks down. I didn't know what I was doing, agreeing to go have a drink with her when she was married, but I didn't care. As friends, right?

We sat down at a table in a dark corner. It was a small, sound table with only two chairs so we sat across from one another. She put her elbows on the table and I saw that thumb-sized bruise again. I grabbed her wrist gently, as though she were made of fine china.

"Sav, what happened?" I asked softly. She pulled away quickly and put her hands in her lap.

"Oh, nothing," she chuckled. "I hit it working out," I nodded.

"Right," I replied. She looked into my eyes. Her eyes were so bright and seemed so full of happiness. I just couldn't help but wonder what she had been up to all these years and why she didn't seem like it was a big deal she left her husband behind, for me. "So, how have you been?" I asked seriously. She looked down at the table, tracing the wood grain with her long, red fingernails. One thing was for certain, she had the most beautiful hands I had ever seen. I used to draw them all the time.

"Not too much has changed," she started.

"You're married," I laughed. "Wow," The waiter set two glasses of scotch on the table.

"I'll have wine," she said to him. "Your finest." She smiled and thanked him as he walked away. I took a few sips and she continued. "Yeah, I am." she said glumly. "You're lucky you're not," Her tone was light, as if it was a joke.

"Aren't you happy?" I asked, hoping for a yes, even though she was the love of my life and I would have done anything to have her again. She shrugged.

"We are well off, it has its ups and down, though." she explained.

"I can tell, you look amazing," I blurted. I watched her cheeks turn a rosy red and felt mine to the same. "Not to be forward," I added. She giggled.

"Thanks, Gerard." she said humbly and smiled. "You're still as handsome as ever as well," she complimented. I felt my face heat up. She thinks I'm handsome?

We spent the rest of the night sipping on out drinks, until we were laughing like fools and telling old, embarrassing stories from high school. That was Savannah, she was always laughing loud and having fun, no matter who was around. I felt a warmness come across my soul. I felt happy, for the first time in years watching her laughing and smiling.


I needed her in my life, that was for sure. No matter what.