Are You The One?

“Um let me go help him. I think I moved it,” Brit said following him.

“What is wrong with you?” she asked when they reached the kitchen.

“Nothing is wrong,” Cliff said searching the draws.

“You’ve shot down every attempt Jeff has made to talk to you,” Brit scolded. 

“She comes here and tells me that she’s married and I’m supposed to what? Be excited for her. He’s lucky I don’t punch him in the face,” Cliff retorted.

“Maybe if you would just listen and give him a chance,” Brit offered.

“Fine. I’ll listen,” Cliff conceded.

 Cliff opened the bottle of wine and he and Brit returned to the dining room.

“Here let me help,” Holly said taking the bottle from him. She poured everyone a glass but when she got to Brit she declined.

“It’s really very good. Even if you don’t normally drink wine it’s very subtle,” Holly stated.

“I love wine. I’m just not drinking right now,” Brit declared.

“Wait are you pregnant?” Holly exclaimed. “I knew it. You’re simply glowing!”

“No. I… I,” Brit said looking to Cliff for help.

“She’s on allergy medicine,” he said quickly.

“Oh,” Holly replied but looked unconvinced.

“Holly why don’t you tell Cliff about your plans,” Brit said to cover the awkward moment.

“Right. Cliff, Jeff and I are moving to Central African Republic next Tuesday,” Holly explained.

“Central African Republic? What the hell for?” Cliff questioned. “Is this your idea?” he asked angrily turning toward Jeff.

“I realize that this may come as a shock for you and I was prepared to leave on my own but Holly wouldn’t let me. Right now there is an epidemic. The people are starving, without adequate without medical supplies, lifesaving vaccines. Some towns don’t even have access to water right now. There is a civil war going on that is making any attempts to help even more difficult. The Red Cross, Amnesty International and the US Peace Corps have asked for volunteers,” Jeff began. “I volunteered in South America with the Corps and they asked me to help.”

“So what does this have to do with Holly? She’s about to graduate,” Cliff questioned.

“Cliff you’re my brother and I love you but we’re two very different people. I’m so close to earning my degree in finance. You and dad want me to take on some corporate role in the company but I wanted to do something that matters.”

“Holly you can make a donation,” Cliff said. “It’s so dangerous over there.”

“And that’s why I’ve been avoiding you. I knew you would try to talk me out of it. But Brit convinced me to explain to you. She didn’t think it was fair to just leave without explaining myself.”

“Holly after Mom…” Cliff started.

“I know but she wanted to make a difference in this world and so do I. I’ve already spoken to Dad.”

“I just think you can help more with aid and supplies.”

“I have made a donation. But they need more than that. They need help. They need volunteers. I know you think this may be Jeff’s idea but really this is my decision. Even if Jeff wasn’t in the picture this is what I would want to be doing with my life. You remember the paper I wrote? I sent you a copy.”

“I remember.”

“That’s how we met. I started volunteering locally. Jeff started a group on campus and we fell in love. He feels like you. That it’s too dangerous. We already planned on getting married when he got back. But I already know I want to spend the rest of my life with him. If you’re worried about that,” Holly divulged. “I just didn’t want to wait. And research shows that they respond to married partners more than just a domestic couple.”

“And what if they find out who you are?” 

“I promise I’ll keep her safe,” Jeff promised.

The more Holly and Jeff explained the more on board Cliff became. In the end he gave them his blessing with one stipulation. Despite military presence in the camp, he would pay for private security for them both.

As they were leaving Holly hugged Brit goodbye.

“It was so nice getting to meet you. Thank you for convincing me not to just leave without talking to my brother,” she said.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad I met you too. Your mother would be proud of you,” Brit replied.

“And I can’t wait to meet my niece or nephew when I get back,” Holly whispered with a wink as she left.

Brit didn’t have the heart to tell her.

After they left Cliff and Brit cleaned up. She was unusually quiet, lost in her own thoughts.

As they lay in bed Cliff kissed the top of her head.

“Thank you for tonight,” he said happily.

He didn’t see the silent tears streaming down her face.

*****

Cliff stayed home the next few days. It was nice having him around. They found out that they had more in common than they first thought. They had similar tastes in music and movies. They both were crazy competitive especially when it came to board games. They spent the day playing Scrabble and Cliff was impressed when Brit beat him four times.

Cliff, despite his lack of groceries when she first arrived, proved to be an excellent chef and made steak with garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli and salad while Brit relaxed. They watched old movies and ate popcorn. Most nights they spent having passionate s*x followed by long conversations into the early morning.

Tara and Eric stopped by Tuesday for dinner. Brit was mortified that Tara had told Eric about their predicament. Her annoyance at her best friend was further tested when Tara couldn’t understand why she didn’t want to have drinks with them.

“You can drink Brit,” Tara said for the fifth time.

“Tara I don’t want to hurt the fetus,” she insisted.

“I don’t understand why it even matters. On Friday your problem will be gone. A few drinks aren’t going to matter,” Tara insisted.

Brit burst into tears and retreated to the bedroom.

“Brit please open the door,” Tara reasoned. “I’m sorry. Please talk to me.”

They left a little while later and it wasn’t until Cliff knocked that she finally opened the door. He didn’t try to defend Tara or try to understand what Brittany was feeling. He simply held her and let her cry herself to sleep.

She couldn’t stand fighting with Tara and called her on Thursday morning. Tara apologized profusely and asked if she wanted her to go with her the next day. Brit told her no. Cliff would be there she explained.

Brit didn’t know if it was the hormones or being emotional but she found herself falling in love with Cliff. Sometimes she wondered if he felt the same way but was afraid to ask. It was in the way he touched her, kissed her, looked at her.