posted 3-4-02
9
Alison sat up on the couch. A few stray tears tickled her cheek as they fell down her face and to her chin. Alison felt so alone. The house was empty. It was cold. Alison wanted someone to hold her more than anything. So she got up from the couch, grabbed her coat, and went to go see the one person in the world who made her feel safe.
Rafe hadn't been back for very long when he heard a light knocking on the door. His first guess was Lucy. Lucy had promised to badger him again about his mystery girl, the one Rafe knew he would never have. Rafe told himself to stop thinking about that because it would only make him sad.
Rafe opened the door, and what he saw literally brought tears to his own eyes. Alison stood outside with the saddest expression on her face.
"Rafe…"Alison cried and ran into the comfort of his arms.
They stayed like that for a few moments, with Rafe holding her tighter as Alison's sobs grew louder. "I…I broke…up with…with…Jamal," Alison whimpered.
"Let's get inside," Rafe said softly and closed the door. Alison took off her coat and she followed Rafe to the couch.
"I broke up with Jamal," Alison repeated as fresh tears fell down her face.
"Alison…" Rafe said, but he soon realized that Alison was in no mood to talk. Alison buried her face into Rafe's shirt and they sat like that on the couch for a long time, with Rafe just holding her and Alison continuing with her inconsolable crying.
After a while, Alison finally stopped and tried to compose herself. Rafe handed her a tissue for her to blow her nose. Rafe's heart broke at the sight of Alison's beautiful blue eyes all red and tired from crying. "Alison, did he do something to you?"
Alison wiped her eyes and shook her head. "No. I just…I just couldn't take it anymore."
"Is this about Valerie?" Rafe asked. "Is that what happened? Did you two have another argument about that?"
"Um…yeah. Yeah, that's what it was. We got in this fight about Valerie and I broke up with him," Alison lied.
"Are you sure you two can't work this out? I mean, you and Jamal have been through so much and for you to break up over something like this…"
"Rafe, we can't work it out, okay? It's over. It's…my god! Jamal must hate me!"
"What? What, why would he hate you?"
"Oh, Rafe, you should have seen the look on his face when I told him I wanted to break up. It was like I told him his best friend had died or something! God, I'm such a bitch!" Alison started crying again.
Rafe put his arms around Alison. "Alison, it's going to be okay. It'll be okay, alright?"
"He probably hates me for ending it. It's all my fault," Alison sobbed.
"No, Alison."
"Was that really stupid of me?" Alison looked into Rafe's eyes, wanting an answer. "Do you think that was stupid of me to break up with Jamal?"
"I think Alison, that if you're not happy with Jamal, then leaving him was the right thing, if that's truly what you feel in your heart. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Just hold me, Rafe," Alison replied.
So Rafe did.
"My own personal guardian angel," Alison said softly as she fell asleep.
Rafe awoke to the sound of a ringing phone. He quickly reached over to the table and grabbed it, hoping it didn't wake Alison. It didn't fortunately.
"Hello?" Rafe said groggily.
"Rafe? It's Livvie. Is Alison there?"
Rafe looked down at Alison, who was resting against his chest. "Yeah, she's here, but she's sleeping. She was really upset and I…I think she really needs the rest."
"Oh, okay, I just wanted to make sure she was all right. I was worried about her because she just took off."
"Do you know about…"
"Yeah, Jack and I ran into Jamal earlier and he told us. Rafe, will you just…just keep an eye on Ali, will you?"
"I will."
"Okay, thanks. Bye."
"Bye." Rafe hung up the phone.
Rafe sat on the chair in the living room and watched Alison sleep on the couch. He was so worried about her. She had been sleeping for hours, and when she woke up, she would only eat just a little soup. Then she claimed that all the crying had given her a headache so she went back to sleep.
Rafe got out his journal.
The whole plan is falling apart. This plan of mine to get Alison and Jamal back together, it's not going to happen. I tried so hard to get them to work things out, thinking it would make Alison happy, but I guess I was wrong. Being with Jamal is clearly not what Alison wants, at least not anymore. I finally see that. But, I don't think I've made a mistake in coming back. Everything happens for a reason, right? There's some reason I'm back. I was wrong about the Jamal thing, yes, but I'm glad I'm back. Now, I'm going to make sure that Alison gets that happiness she deserves. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do, I guess I'll just be here to comfort her like I am right now. That seems to be what Alison needs.
It was getting late. Late and dark. Rafe looked out the window and shivered. It was pretty cold outside and snow started to fall.
Alison stirred a little on the couch, but she was still sleeping.
Rafe picked up the phone and called Livvie.
"Hello?" Livvie answered.
"Livvie, it's Rafe."
"Rafe, how's Alison?"
"She's pretty much wore out. Look, it's late and looks like a storm is starting. I think Alison should stay here tonight. She's still sleeping anyway."
"Yeah, okay, that's a good idea. It sounds like she's had a pretty rough day and I'm glad she's finally getting some rest."
"Yeah, I think it's best for her."
"Do me a favor. Will you have Ali call me sometime tomorrow?"
"Sure."
"Okay. Thanks for calling, Rafe."
"You're welcome. Bye."
Rafe hung up the phone and walked over to Alison. Being as careful and gentle as he could, he picked up Alison and carried her to the bedroom and laid her down on the bed. He pulled the covers down and wrapped her up. Rafe gave Alison a tender kiss on her forehead.
Just as he was about to leave the room, he heard Alison's voice.
"Rafe."
Rafe turned to the sound of his name. "Yeah?"
"I lied to you." Alison didn't know what it was, this sudden courage that came over her, but she knew if she didn't just tell him now, she wasn't so sure she would have the guts to later.
Rafe sat down on the bed beside Alison, and she sat up. "What do you mean?"
"I…I lied to you about Jamal."
"Jamal? What, you mean, you didn't break up with him?" Rafe was confused.
"No, I meant I lied to you about why I broke up with him. I let you think it was all about Valerie. That wasn't it at all."
"Well what…what was it?"
"I'm…I'm in love with you, Rafe." The words were out, and Alison knew there was no turning back now.
"You? You…you're…you're in love with me?" Rafe stuttered.
"I read your journal," Alison quickly said. "I read your journal, Rafe. You had left it in that bag of clothes and I…I found it, and I read it. I'm sorry I read it, Rafe. I know that was wrong and an invasion of your privacy and stuff but, Rafe, you feel the same way about me. When I found that out I just…I had to stop lying to myself. I'm in love with you, too."
"You're in love with me?" Rafe asked again. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Alison smiled at him and shook her head yes. She almost laughed at the look of pure shock and excitement on Rafe's face. Alison cradled her hands around his face and brought her lips to his. They kissed.
"I can't, I can't believe you feel the same way about me," Rafe said softly.
"Shh," Alison said with a smile and leaned forward for another kiss. Alison put her arms around Rafe and they laid down under the covers. Rafe put his arms around Alison and she rested her head against him. Then, they feel asleep in each other's arms.