Chapter 4

Savannah sat at her desk finishing up the proposal for the new park downtown. All the heavy work was done, so she was aimlessly putting together promo packets, giving herself some time to think. A lot had changed in the past few weeks--the biggest thing being that she was seeing someone. Any spare time she had she spent with Luke. Another change was that she hadn't seen that much of Jane lately, but that was due to the fact that Jane had been really sick. And the last change, which was probably the most significant of all, was that she was going to be in her crummy apartment a bit longer than she wanted. Thinking about the last change also brought a bad taste to her mouth. The brother that she had once loved and admired had scammed her. He took all of her cash, and drained her savings account. She was somewhat lucky in that she was able to close her credit cards before he charged anything to them. Savannah had yet to tell her parents about it. She knew their reactions wouldn't help the situation in any way. She told Luke and he was very comforting. He even tried to give her some of his tip money, but she politely refused. She thought for a moment to recall her conversation with Jane when she told her.
"So, you mean he drained your bank account? What a prick!!!"
"Well, Jane, it's not like I do that bad financially. He really had no money, he wouldn't do this unless he really needed it."
"Really needed it? Girl, I was drunk. But I wasn't so drunk to not notice that he took me to his penthouse at the Four Seasons. And when he brought me home the next morning, we were in a Mercedes."
Savannah cringed as she tried to erase the thought altogether from her memory. She hated her brother. She hoped that she never saw him again for fear of his safety. Glancing at the time on her computer she realized she was late for dinner with Luke. She picked up the phone to call him and let him know.
"Hey babe. Sorry, I lost track of time. I will just have to go straight to the restaurant and meet you there."
"Why don't we just stay in tonight. I will order a pizza or something."
"OK, your place or mine?"
"Yours. Call me when you get there."
"OK, bye."

She should have known better than to fall for the "stay in and order pizza" bit. Upon entering her apartment Savannah saw dozens of flickering candles, some beautiful roses, and could smell the pleasantly overwhelming fragrance of garlic. As she walked towards the kitchen, Luke rounded the table and sat two plates of one of her favorite meals down on the table. Spaghetti.
"What happened to ordering pizza?"
"You like spaghetti more than pizza, right?"
"You had this planned the whole time didn't you?" Luke smirked, then turned and walked towards Savannah. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her as close
to him as possible and planted a gentle kiss on her mouth.


"Are you surprised?"
"Yes, very. Thank you." As they continued to hold each other, Savannah could feel all the stress release from her body. There was something about Luke that made all the bad things in her life disappear. He couldn't have entered her life at a better time.
"Well, shall we?" Luke turned towards the table, pulled out Savannah's chair, and motioned for her to sit down. He took his seat beside her and they both began
to eat.

After dinner Luke cleaned up the kitchen, and Savannah went upstairs to change out of her work clothes. After getting dressed, she threw herself down on the bed. She must have been tired because she almost instantly fell asleep. She woke up to Luke laying beside her, smiling. She wiped the drool from her mouth and glared
at him, "What."
"You're just adorable when you sleep. Drool and all!"
"Oh shut up," Savannah said with a playful push. Luke grabbed her arm, pushed it up over her head and pinned it to the bed. He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her.

This wasn't the normal kiss Savannah expected from Luke. He was always so gentle and sweet, never pushing any boundaries. There was passion behind this kiss, and Savannah liked it. She lifted her hand to his head and twisted her fingers in his hair. He grabbed her forcefully by the waist and pushed her body underneath his. He reached his hand up to her chest, and then abruptly pushed himself away from her.
"I'm sorry."
"Why? Whats wrong?"
"I-I really like you Savannah. I just don't want to fuck up this thing we have going. You mean a lot to me. I just don't want to push you away."
Savannah rolled over on top of him and kissed him passionately. "So don't." Savannah sat up and lifted her shirt up over her head. Luke sat up and pulled her face to his and began to kiss her again. And then, the phone rang.
"Don't answer it." Annoyed Savannah picked up the phone and checked the caller ID.
"I have to. It's Jane, she's been weird lately."
"Hello?"
"I need you to high-tail your ass over here right now."
"Jane, I am kind of in the middle of something. Can it wait till tomorrow?"
"NO, NOW! It's important. Please?"
"OK. I will be there in a few." Savannah hung up the phone with a sigh and looked down at Luke.
"Somethings wrong. I gotta go."
"Isn't there anyone else she can call?" Savannah was already across the room, putting on jeans and a t-shirt.
"Jane doesn't really have any family, and I am the closest friend she's got. It won't take long." She walked back over to the bed and sat down beside him.
"Stay. I want you here when I get back." He reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"OK, I will see you in a little bit." Savannah smiled as he pulled her down to give her a kiss.

Savannah knocked on Jane's door, still not knowing what to expect. Jane opened the door and fear ran down Savannah's spine. She could tell that Jane had been crying. Jane never cried. They had been friends for a couple years and she had never, ever seen Jane even look sad, or afraid--both emotions she was showing now. Savannah hurried inside, closing the door behind her, and wrapped her arms around Jane.

"What's wrong?" Jane fell apart, and began to cry audibly. Savannah guided her over to the couch and they both sat down. After a few minutes Jane seemed to
somewhat pull herself together and started in on her story.
"You know how I have been really sick lately. Well, I went to the doctor today hoping they could give me a prescription to clear it all up. They ran a few tests and found something I wasn't expecting." She began to sob again."And it certainly isn't fucking curable!" Savannah's mind was racing. Her friend was dying of cancer, or a brain tumor, or some strange disease that no one has even heard of yet. Her thoughts were cut short by Jane's growing sobs.
"Savannah, I'm pregnant!"
Savannah said the only thing that popped into her head at the moment.
"Who is the father?" Jane looked up at her with sadness overwhelming in her eyes.
"Your fuck-ass brother!"

Chapter 3

Before she knew it the weekend was over, and back to work she went. Though most people dreaded Mondays, Savannah kind of looked forward to this one. She was
hoping for anything to take her mind off Thomas. She had a presentation due in a few weeks on a proposal for a new park downtown. That should be enough to keep her
mind wandering. Savannah walked through the door, made small talk with the receptionist, and continued down the hall to her office.She threw her stuff in the chair in the corner, and took her seat at her desk. As always, the annoying light on her telephone that indicated she had messages was blinking. She grabbed a
notepad, and pressed the button on the machine. After listening to three messages, and scribbling down call back numbers, she froze at the sound of a familiar
voice in the next message. "Hey! It's Collin. I am doing some traveling, and I am going to be near Alex City this afternoon. I was wondering if you had a comfy bed, and a shower I could
borrow. Call me!"


Savannah picked her jaw up off the floor and scrabbled to pick up the receiver and dial her brother's number, which she knew by memory. The phone barely had
time to ring before someone answered on the other end.
"Hello?"

"Collin! Of course you can stay with me! What time will you be getting in?"
"I am actually in town now, in your apartment to be more accurate."
"What?! But how did you.."
"You, Savannah, are far too predictable. I found your spare key without evening thinking about it."
Savannah laughed, "Well then, I will see you when I get off work."
"See you then sis!" Savannah was smiling when she hung up the phone. It had been about a year since the last time she saw Collin. She adored her brother, even though she was the only one in her family who talked to him. He dropped out of high school his junior year to pursue art. Their parents weren't very thrilled, and kicked him out.

The day seemed to drag after that. Savannah really just wanted to get home and hug her big brother. Finally five o'clock rolled around and Savannah couldn't
run out the door fast enough. She got home and raced through the door to find her brother asleep on the couch.

"Collin!" Savannah screamed as she very roughly sat on her brothers stomach.
"Oh god! You'd think with as much money as you make you could afford a gym membership."
"You ass pirate! I can still wear my favorite jeans from high school, thank you very much."
They both stood up and turned to hug each other. "I missed you!"


"I missed you too! So what have you been up to lately?"
"Same old, same old. Painting, partying, just living life. How about the life of my blue collar sister?"
"Shut up! I am very pleased with my nine to five job!"
"You're a sell-out!"
"I am not! Just because I took my art, and went to school and now have a job with a steady income does not make me a sell out. It makes me smart!"
"Do you even free sketch anymore?"

Before Savannah could come up with an argument the phone rang. She glared at Collin as she turned toward the kitchen and grimaced, "I am not done with you."
"Hello?"
"Yes, can I speak with Savannah?"
"This is she."
"Hi, Savannah, this is Luke."
"Oh... hi! How are you?"
"I am great. Listen, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go out for drinks a little later?"
"Oh, um... could you hold on a sec?"
Savannah ran into the living room, "Omigod, Collin! So I gave this really cute waiter my number on Saturday, and that's him on the phone! He wants to go out for
drinks later! What do you think?"
"Well look at little sis trying to get her some action."
"Shut up! It's not like that. I wanna get to know this guy.."
"Yeah, right."
"So anyway, would you come with me? I don't know him enough to feel comfortable going alone and..."
"Whoa! I am not going with you as a third wheel on your date."
"But what if I had a date for you?"
"Now you're talking my language. Set it up!"
"OK! Thanks Collin!"

Savannah went back into the kitchen and picked up the phone.
"Hey, Luke?"
"Yeah..."
"So, I would love to come tonight, but my brother is in town."
"Oh, I see."
"Well, actually I was thinking he could come. I was going to set him up with my friend Jane. Like a double date."
OK, great! So meet me at the Purple Grape around 9:30?"
"Sounds great."
Savannah hung up the phone and turned on her heels to see Collin standing in the kitchen. Collin walked to the fridge and grabbed a beer.
"I have seen many things come out of that fridge, but that is not one of them."
"I stopped by the store on the way here. Want one?"
"No, I'm good." Collin cracked open the can and took a sip. "So who is this Jane? Is she hot?"
"She is a good friend of mine. Cute and spunky, likes a good party. She's just your type actually. I guess I should call her, huh?"

Jane answered before the first ring, and agreed to go before Savannah could finish giving her all the info. She was always up for a good time. Jane agreed to
meet them there at 9:30 because Savannah wanted some time to chat with her brother.


So, tell me how things are...really."
"You never answered my question. Do you still sketch or not?"
"I do from time to time. But I work a lot, Collin. That doesn't make me a sell-out. I love my job. I get to make sketches and plan things. It's organized art.
I really love what I do. Now don't avoid my question, how are you?"
"Things have been slow lately. With the economy the way it is, no one is buying frivolous art these days. I had a showing at a big art gallery about seven
months ago. That was the last time I made any money. But it's no biggy. I am still breathing right?"
"Oh Collin. Can I buy a painting? I know you have some in the car. You always do!"
"What car?"
"You can't be serious! How are you traveling without a car?"
"Public transportation works fine, Van. Besides, you know I have never been a fan of extravagant living."
"I know, but at least let me give you some money. Please?"
"Well I won't turn that down!" Savannah went to her purse and grabbed a check book and scribbled out a number, then handed it to her brother.
"I wish I could give you more, but I am kinda saving up for a house."
"Van, five hundred dollars is more than enough. Thank you. You're the best."
"And I expect a painting before you leave. You can use my set. It's upstairs!"
"I will get started right now."
"And I insist on paying for your drinks tonight." Savannah took a one hundred dollar bill out of her wallet and handed it to her brother.
Collin took the money and smiled, "Thanks."


Collin jumped up and went up stairs, and Savannah decided to go ahead and get ready for tonight. Before she knew it the door bell rang. It was Jane.
"Jane, I told you we would meet you there!"
"Are you kidding me? You tell me there is a guy who actually wants to meet me AND he is my type, and you expect me to wait? No! Where is he anyway?"
Savannah rolled her eyes and called over her shoulder to Collin, who came bolting down the stairs. "Well hello, I suppose you are Jane?"
"Savannah, you never told me how sexy your brother is."
"I guess I missed that detail. My bad! So are you ready to go Collin?"
"Hell yeah! Shall we?" Collin walked past Savannah and took Jane's arm and lead her out the door. Savannah rolled her eyes and followed.

When they walked in, Savannah immediately spotted Luke sitting at the corner of the bar. He looked up and noticed her, and she smiled in response and walked
towards him. Collin and Jane followed. "Hi", Savannah greeted as she took her seat.
"Hi. You look amazing."
"Thank you. Oh Luke, this is my friend Jane, and my brother Collin." Luke acknowledged them both, and they slipped off into their own little world at the other
end of the bar.
"So, can I buy you a drink?"
"Of course. Gin and tonic?"
"Sure." He waved down the bartender and ordered Savannah's drink, all without taking his eyes off of her.
"Did I mention how amazing you look tonight?"
"Yes, and thank you. You don't look so bad yourself."
"I am not gonna lie, I couldn't believe a girl like you gave me her number."
"What do you mean a girl like me."
"I don't know. You're gorgeous for one. And you just look like you've got it together. I am just a waiter. I am not complaining though."
"Good, don't! So that's what you do full time? You're a waiter?"
"Yeah. It pays the bills. What about you?"
"I am an architect for C.D.C."
"Wow. Beautiful, and smart."
"You forgot talented." They both laughed, then stared at each other in silence. The silence was enough to allow her mind to wonder. Before she knew it she was
thinking about Thomas. She wondered what he did for a living. It had to be something good because he drove a really nice car. Trying to shake the thought she
changed the subject with Luke.
"So, how old are you?"
"Twenty-nine. You?"
"Twenty-seven."
"Where are you from?"
"I have lived here my whole life."
"Oh, so does your family live here? Do you have any brothers of sisters?"
"No, I don't have any siblings. My dad lives here, but my mom died when I was little."
"I am sorry to hear that."
"Don't be. So where are you from?"
"St. Marks, Indiana."
"Small town girl, huh?"
"Something like that."
Their conversation was interrupted by Jane and Collin stumbling towards them. "Hey Van, we're gonna get outa here, kay?"
"You're not driving are you?"
Jane chimed in, "Fuck that! I got legs, and I knows how to use them!"
"OK, just be careful."
"Mmkay." Savannah and Luke watched in amusement as they walked out the door, and down the street.

They continued their conversation, talking about family
life ambitions, and whether or not the Dolphins would ever make it to the super bowl.
"Omigod! I didn't realize how late it was, I have to work in the morning."
"Can I walk you home?" Savannah smiled at him, "Yes, I would like that very much." On the walk home they continued talking about random facts, and the more they
talked the more fascinated Savannah became with Luke.
Sooner than she wanted, they found themselves in front of her apartment door.
'Well, I had a great time Luke."
"Me too. Can I call you tomorrow?"
"I would be upset if you didn't." Luke then grabbed her by her waist and kissed her lightly on her lips. He smiled, then turned on his heels and walked away.

Savannah went inside, walked upstairs, and looked in the guest room to see if Collin was home yet. He wasn't. She turned and went into her bedroom and put on
her pajamas. She meant to read until Collin got home, but she fell asleep five minutes into her book. She woke up to the sound of the front door opening.
She rolled over to look at the clock and decided it wasn't worth it to get out of bed at four AM. She heard footsteps up the stairs, and the guest room door shut.



Savannah woke up to her alarm blaring, and she silenced it by slamming the off button. Moving quietly as to not wake up Collin, she tip-toed toward the guest
room to check on him. When she opened the door however, the bed was empty. She walked into the room, and noticed a painting on the easal. She smiled, and reached out
to touch it. It was still wet. The picture was of a beautiful field where they used to play as kids. She went downstairs to call Collin and thank him, but his
phone went straight to voicemail.
"Hey Collin, it's Van. Thank you for my painting. It's incredible. And stop by whenever you can. I love you."

Realizing she was running late, she quickly got ready for work and headed out the door. It wasn't until she got to the office that she realized she didn't eat breakfast. Figuring that something from the vending machine was better than nothing, she reached for her wallet to get some change. She flipped frantically throughevery pocket, but came up empty-handed. Starting to panic she went in search of her debit, but it wasn't to be found either, along with her credit cards. Sitting there staring at her empty wallet, only one name came to mind.

"Collin."

Chapter 2

Savannah dried her face and crept downstairs to make her favorite hangover food, Mac-N-Cheese. She cooked the noodles, mixed in the cheese, and dumped it in a bowl. Moving slowly so as to not upset her weak stomach, she took her seat on the couch, and flipped on the television.

She never had the patience for channel surfing, so she quickly settled on your standard Saturday morning cartoons. While mulling over the macaroni, she tried to remember last night's
sequence of events. Now that the alcohol was gone she could see things a little more clearly. She remembered Thomas. His friendly smile, his inviting eyes. God, he was gorgeous! She tried to remember anything she could from their conversation, but nothing came to mind. She did, however, remember how good it felt for him to be so close to her. His body pressed against hers, his hot breath beating down her neck, and how his hands fit all over her body. But other than the physical, she felt drawn to him. She really liked him. She was so ready for a relationship. She wanted so badly to have someone to give her love to, some sort of outlet. She was ready to settle down, she had sowed her wild oats! Savannah couldn't help but smile to herself. There was
definitely a lot of sowing going on last night, she thought to herself. Oh well, her mother is probably right. How do you expect them to buy the whole cow when they can get the milk for free!
The telephone interrupted her train of thought, and she quickly got up and answered on the last ring.
"Hello?"
"Hey Hun, its mom."
"Hey momma, how are you? How's daddy?"
"Oh, I'm fine.And daddy is good too. He is busy yelling at baseball reruns. How is my baby? Gone on any dates lately?"
"Is that the reason you called? Why are you so concerned with my love life?"
"Now, there is no need to get defensive. I just worry about you, that's all. You're in that big city all alone, and you work so hard. I just think it would be nice if you found someone."
"Mom, I am not all alone. I have friends! And I don't need a boyfriend, I am fine."
"Sweetie, you know you're not getting any younger. Maybe if you just..."
"MOM! Just stop already! Look, if it makes you feel any better, I sort of went out with a guy last night."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, but there isn't much to tell. I don't think I will be hearing from him again."
"Savannah Paige! You can't just go on one date with the guy and decide he isn't the one for you. You have to at least put a little effort into it."
"Yes, actually, I can just go on one date with him. Besides he wasn't my type. Look mom, I gotta go, I have some laundry to do."
"OK, pumpkin, well I love you. I miss you sweetie."
"Yeah. Love you too. Bye."


Savannah sat back down on the sofa and tried to shake the icky feeling that always followed that conversation with her mother. It seemed as if her mother
had been more persistent these days. Maybe if I just start agreeing with everything she says, she will lose momentum because she can't argue with me,
she thought to herself.

Just as she was settling back into her Saturday morning groove, the doorbell rang.
"The world can just go fuck itself!" She mumbled and she got up to answer the door. She opened the door to find an annoyingly perky Jane standing in front
of her.
"Hey", Jane invited herself in, and went straight to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water.
Savannah followed her into the kitchen,
"What's up?"
"What's up?! You're the one who left last night with a guy! You tell me what's up!"
Savannah blushed a little and then looked up to answer, "Can we not talk about this, please?"
"Oh come on! You don't honestly expect me to accept that as an answer do you? Give me something more to chew on!"
Realizing that Jane was just never going to leave this alone, she decided it was best to go ahead and give her the story. She blew out a breath trying to think of what to say and finally she spoke.
"Well, we came back here and...."
"OMIGOD! You slept with him?" Jane squealed. "Tell me everything!"
"There is nothing to tell. We slept together, and when I woke up this morning he was gone."
"Well, did you get his phone number or something?"
"Yeah, he left a note on my dresser."
"OK, good! So you'll call him."
"No! Jane, don't you think if he really wanted to see me again, he would have stuck around this morning? I am not calling him! I am just going to try and forget it ever happened."
"You're serious?
"Yes, I am serious. So lets just drop it."
"OK...soooo, do you wanna go get something to eat?"
"Actually, yes, I would love to. Let me just go change."

The girls decided to walk since the restaurant was not that far from Savannah's apartment. When they arrived, they took their seats at a tabled facing the window. They chatted and giggled, and the waiter came up and interrupted the conversation. "Hello ladies, what can I get you to drink?"
"I will just have water, and a bloody mary please", Savannah responded without even thinking about it. Jane looked across the table at the body that once held her friend. Confused, she asked, "Are you serious?"
"Yeah. Fight fire with fire."
"OK. Well in that case, I will have the same."
The waiter smiled while writing down the orders and repeated,
"OK, so some fire for the lovely ladies," his eyes flicked towards Savannah.
The waiter turned and retreated towards the bar to fill their orders.

"Omigod! It hasn't even been twenty four hours and you already have another guy snapping at your heels! I envy you."
"Do you think I should go for it?"
"Of course!! But what about Thomas?"
"No, I am not thinking about him. I am moving on."
"Well, in that case..."

The waiter returned with their drinks and took their orders. Soon after he brought out their food. They talked as they ate, and before they knew it the waiter was cleaning off the table. After he walked away with their dirty plates, Savannah dug a pen out of her purse. She took and unused napkin and scribbled down her name and telephone number. Savannah got up from the table and walked over to the bar where the waiter was standing.
"Hi, my name is Savannah. What's yours?"
Surprised he answered, "Lucas. But I go by Luke."
"Well, Luke, I hope that you will call me sometime." And Savannah slipped the folded napkin into his hand. Without saying anything else she turned and
walked away.

"Omigod! Who are you and what have you done with Savannah?"
"I just thought it was time I stepped up my game. Do you think I was too forward?"
"NO! His jaw is still on the floor!"
"I hope he calls."
"If he doesn't we can just come back here and stalk him."
"Oh Jane!" Savannah rolled her eyes, and continued down the sidewalk with Jane, extremely please with her new found confidence.