Derek was irrational. The love of his life, Left him. He burst through my door and threw himself into arms. I was shocked, but as a good friend, I took it gracefully and let him cry.
I helped him over to the sofa and asked him to tell me the whole story.
"Steph left me. I love her so much, Jack."
"I know, I know. Now, tell me what happened."
"She had gotten cold lately. I thought she was upset with me, like I was stringing her along, or something. I wanted to do the right thing. I love her. I had a ring made for her. It was...so beautiful."
"Like her?"
"Yeah, yeah, just like her. I waited until she came home tonight and I sat her down. I wanted to do this right. I did it the way it should be done. I took her hand, I had candles, I had her ring....it was perfect. I took her hand, and said to her, 'Stephanie, will you be my wife?' I was so scared."
"Keep going." I could see how hard all this was for him, but he had to get it out. He was stammering, blubbering, I couldn't see him like that anymore.
"Okay." He took a deep, shuddering breath. "She looked scared, like she didn't know what to do. She did say yes to me. She said yes. I was so happy that I picked her up and kissed her. When I set her down, she told me that she wanted to tell her parents so we could all celebrate together. I was all for it. She left, and I noticed that I had forgotten to give her the ring. I knew I couldn't catch her, so I followed her.
"She lied, Jack. She went to her lover's house. I saw her go to him. He kissed her.....I just sat there. I didn't know what to do. I am not a violent man, so I just sat there.
"I waited for her. Almost two hours later, she came out. When she saw me, she just acted like she was irritated, no fear, no nervousness, nothing. Just like I was an insect on her finger.
"She told me that she didn't want me to find out this way. To her, I was a temporary distraction until something better came along. She was so icy, Jack. So, so cold.
"I am really sorry about this. I didn't know where else to go...and I needed someone to talk to."
"You are always welcome here, Derek, you know that."
He broke down hard, his nose running, his shirt collar wet with tears. Ah, Derek. At 23, he barely knew life, and to have his heart crushed so early, I felt for him. He had only had two girlfriends, he was sensitive, he was handsome, and he was so terribly sad.
I remember what he looked like then. He wasn't very tall, five feet ten, if he was an inch. He has dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. He was still growing out of his childhood acne. Derek was the average guy, I have been told. I always thought of him as unique. His shyness was dreadful and his heart was immense.
He had a slight pudge to his belly due to too much pizza and not enough exercise. I found it very attractive. I wasn't much for cut guys anyway.
Polite, intelligent, kind and friendly.
I sighed and stood. I thought about all the pain he was going to have to live through I was full of regret. He was much too sweet to go through any of this. I didn't want to talk of her, so I tried my best to comfort this broken young man.
"Derek, I think you could use some rest. Come with me. I will fix you up in the spare room." he followed willingly enough, though that disjointed look about him was haunting.
"You will be comfortable here. Stay as long as you like. You have your own bathroom and there are shirts and shorts the dresser. They should fit you, so use what you can." He nodded absently and I sighed again. Just standing there, he looked to the dwindling twilight through the open blinds.
I didn't want him to just mope all night in his clothes, so I tried to make him more comfortable.
"Derek, I am going to help you get undressed a bit, okay? If I make you uncomfortable, just let me know." He didn't say a word. He stood limply as I took his jacket off and flung it to the chair. I set him on the bed, taking off his shoes and placing them under the bed.
When I reached for his belt, he put his hand on my shoulder.
"It's okay, John, I will be sitting up for a while." I blinked when he called me John. He has never done that before. He was hurting more than I had originally thought. Much more.
"Okay. I will be in my room. I usually read for a while, but I will shut my light out at ten. No matter what, if you need something, tell me. I am here for you."
"Sure, and thanks. You know, for being such a good friend and all."
"Thank you, Derek. It had been my pleasure being your friend. Now, remember, I am just down the hall." I turned to leave, but he stopped me with an odd question.
"How old are you?"
"Thirty-two. I thought you knew that."
"No, I didn't."
"Thanks, again, Jack."
"Anytime. Get some rest. We'll get bagels for breakfast, good?"
"Yeah, sounds really good."
I shut the door and smiled. Such a sweet boy. I was still thrown by his question, but I suppose it was one way of easing his pain.
I puttered about in my room for an hour before I gave into weariness and fell into bed.
I was awakened sometime later by the click of my door latch. Derek.
"Hey, there. Let me turn the light on for you."
"No, that's okay. I would like it off."