The sand oozed through her toes as Bron headed towards the breaking waves. Dusk was falling upon the deserted beach and she knew she needed to get away from it all to have time to think. Why was it that every night it played on her mind, the vision of him, it was always him, "oh Ben" she sighed. Bron approached the washing waves and paddled up to her knees. The bottom of her shorts got wet as she slipped on uneven sand but she didn't even notice it happening. She looked up one of the beach and there was sand for miles, but not a person in sight. She turned and looked the other way, the same thing, except for a faint blue mark that looked like someone crouched down in the sand.
Bron walked through the water towards the figure until her feet became cold. She moved back onto the sand which still conducted the day's sun. She wrapped her arms around herself as the sea breeze curled around her. As she got closer, she could see the figure closer and was surprised to find what she did, "Luke?" she asked. He looked up from his slumped position in the sand on a bright blue towel. An empty bottle of bourbon lay beside him, his eyes were glazed over and sadness filled them. "Are you ok?" Bron asked cautiously. "Take a seat" he offered her part of the towel. Reluctantly she sat down, they had never had the decency to even address each other in the hospital and now he was offering her a piece of his precious time. Bron stared at him, he was a mess, red nose and swaying figure, Luke looked out of control.
"What are you doing here?" Bron finally asked. Luke sat in silence for a little while then turned and faced her. "I'm an asshole, I have ruined my life and so many others, I deserve to suffer" Luke slurred. "Maybe so" Bron replied "but is this the best way?" "Oh you can talk" he snapped back "gambling away so much money and going back for more every time". Bron lowered her head and said softly "everyone makes mistakes Luke, even the best of us". They sat in silence.
"I made a terrible mistake too Luke, not about gambling or career choice but about my heart, I was scared to follow my heart and now I may never be able to take that opportunity back" Bron could feel tears welling in her eyes and a lump appeared in her throat. Luke gently put his arm around her and she started to feel warmth, as opposed to the cold shoulder she had gotten from him since their disastrous break up. "Ben?" Luke questioner. Bron tried to laugh " I didn't think you took much interest in anyone but yourself". Luke looked down "more than most would know actually. I feel left out, I feel like I have made myself out to be someone so big and great and I can't even live up to my own expectations". "Sorry" Bron muttered "I didn't mean it like that". Luke managed half a smile "Bron, you are so vibrant and wonderful, I know that I have probably ruined it for us, not us, but our friendship but you still have a chance with Ben, why don't you just go for it?". "If only it was that easy Luke, I am scared" Bron started to cry. "Of what? Aren't you more scared of wasting the best opportunity in your life?" Luke turned and looked Bron in the eye. Through her veil of tears, Bron could see that Luke had a serious look in his eyes and he meant what he had said. She reached across and gave him a hug. After pulling back she put her hand on his shoulder "friends?" she asked. "Friends" he smiled back and she knew that it was going to be so.