Pieces of Light

“You love being here, yes?” 

“I do. It wasn’t my choice, but it’s nice. At least other than 

winter months, it’s nice. It feels far more like home than where I was raised, and much more than Boston did. Why?” 

He pushed his chair back. “Can we go?” 

“Sure. Where?” 

“I donae know. Out. Outside somewhere.” 

She grasped his hand. “What did I do?” 

Fillan felt himself gape. What did she do? Why would she even 

think..? “You did nothing.” He checked his watch. Only an hour 

 and barely more until she had to leave. Getting up, he held her chair and then the door.  

Beside their cars, she gave him a soft shrug. “Maybe I should 

go on home.” 

His stomach lurched. “You do not want to have dinner quick 

first?” 

“I think maybe you’d rather...” 

“I would rather not have to rush through dinner, but otherwise, 

there is nothing wrong.” 

“Then why are so quiet all of a sudden?” 

“I am...”  Hell, Fillan, just tell the girl. Might as well admit the truth.  “I am only wishing you were not so entrenched here. 

Nothing more, Emma.” 

She stared a moment, searching for a hint he wasn’t telling the 

truth, maybe, or at least the whole truth. “Why?” 

“It does not matter. As you said, we are only hanging out for 

the summer and ... that guy, Eli, is more your type, I would 

assume, and so it...” 

“No, he’s not.” She stepped closer. “That’s what’s bothering 

you?” 

“You found him ... attractive, yes? Not that I could blame 

you...” 

“Why would it matter if I did?” 

“Because he is fully opposite of me.” 

Catching what he meant, Emma studied him, silent, with cars 

zooming past on the street beside them, people laughing on the 

sidewalk behind them. “You have a girl back home. And I...” 

“I think you are right, Emma. Why should I care anymore 

whether or not she might want to come back to me? She left. 

Months ago. I have been a right fool to worry about it this long.” 

“Fillan...” 

He closed the distance between them. Still, she waited, 

watching him, without backing away. 

“My life is so complicated right now.” It was a near whisper 

against his skin. “I know that sounds like a line, or a cop-out, but really, it’s not. This... I can’t expect to have many days like this, with this much time free. I keep waiting for my phone to ring...” 

He touched her face. “Right, and I have only until mid-August 

to be here.” 

 She nodded. Slightly. But her breathing increased. Her chest rose and fell faster. 

“Where would ye like to go to eat that will not take long?”