Written from Joey’s point of view.
"Good idea," she said slipping her gloves back on, "It's freezing out here."
"I think it's just that you're not wearing a coat stupid," I laughed.
She hooked her arm through mine as we walked along the path around the lake. "Hey!" she protested, "I've got my hat, and my gloves, and this is a heavy duty turtleneck sweater here."
"Heavy duty?" I laughed.
She pinched my side, "Shut up!"
"You want me to treat for the drinks or what?" I asked sarcastically.
"Fine," she gave in, resting her head on my shoulder as we walked.
We walked in silence, staring at the leaves beginning to form, and the lake moving slowly in the breeze. We took walks like this every once in a while. It helped each of us to think about what was going on in our lives.
As we walked into the small cafe that afternoon I asked her what I had been contemplating all morning. "You wanna go with me to JC and Deb's wedding?"
"Like be your date?" she asked taking off her gloves and pulling out a chair.
"Yeah, whattaya think?" I laughed lightly.
"Yeah," she answered softly, "that would be cool." She took off her hat and I began to laugh. "What?" she questioned.
"Well, you will have to wear your hair like that," I chuckled at what the static electricity had done to her curls.
She quickly threw her hat at me and then blushed as she smoothed her hair down. She was so cute when she was embarrassed.
"So what are you doing with the rest of your day?" I asked as the waitress walked away.
"I have a psycho appointment at 6," she smirked.
I chuckled lightly, "Don't call it that! You're not a psycho."
"Fine," she pouted, "Im going to see my shrink, is that better?"
"Yeah," I smiled, "But I was hoping you would be free for dinner."
"We could go to a late one," Bron offered.
"I can't I'm going to a movie and then clubbing with Nicole." I said quickly.
"Oh," Bron got a little quiet. "Who's Nicole?"
I felt myself getting defensive, even feeling bad for having a date. "She works for Jive, we've only gone out like twice before." Suddenly the waitress came with our cocoa's and I was very grateful for the interruption. "So how is the shrink thing coming?"
"Good," she smiled tentatively, "Thank you for making me see him."
"No problem," I shrugged, hating it when she put all the credit on me, "I knew you'd feel better if you went."
"Well, it's just helping me get through so much, I'm starting to come to terms with my mom."
"That's good." I pushed hard for her to see a therapist after that night, Christmas Eve. I had been fighting it too long. I tried to push her from my memory for so long. But I know she'll always be there, she was my first love. And I'm glad to have her in my life now, even if I don't think I can love her like that again. It still hurts that she didn't trust me in the beginning, and I don't know if my pride will ever let me fully forgive her for leaving with another guy. But those things aren't important, we're just friends.
Bronwen looked at her watch as she took her last sip of hot chocolate, "Alright, I better get going," she said, once again putting her gloves on.
I stood up beside her, as I pulled on my jacket. "What's the rush?" I asked, her hat still in my hand.
"General Hospital is on in 15 minutes!" she explained, looking at the table for her cap.
"Oh, so you're leaving early for that show, uh?" I began, "Then you're definitely not getting this back!" I teased, holing her hat high above my head.
"Joe! Please..." she begged, jumping up, trying to get hold of it.
"Nope, " I answered, laughing down at her.
"I just..." she stammered, grabbing my arm and then pulling it down as she jumped up. "Ha!" she shouted, grabbing it from me, and then running outside.
I followed her, "Fine, you win," I held up my arms in mock defeat, "Go home watch your show."
"Awwww, poor baby," she said walking over. "I'll probably see you tomorrow, so just quit your whining." She raised herself on her toes, and let her lips graze my cheek in a small peck, that sent shivers down my spine. Maybe it was the cold, or maybe it was her.
"Bye babes!" I shouted across the parking lot.
"Bye!" she waved, unlocking her car door.
I watched her lean over as she threw another piece of bread into the lake. A duck quickly swam over, snatching it up as she looked on. It was early March and still cold outside. Bron had gone from my lover to my enemy to my closest friend. It was not all easy. We had more than our fair share of awkward moments but it was worth it, in my mind. She stood up from where she was squatting, and brushed off her light jeans. She turned around and smiled at me. It was infectious and you had to smile along. "Come on," I motioned from where I was on the path, "Let's get some hot chocolate."