I spend too much time thinking about things. I really should just go ahead and do them. I had been thinking and I had come to the conclusion that I needed to ask Jack about Sarah. That was it, plain and simple. It was the only way to clear the air. I resolved that I was going to do it today.

I sat at the base of Horace Greely and watched people pass on their way to their homes or jobs. I saw Jack walking across the square, his papers held on his shoulder. I called out to him.

"Hey, Jack." He turned and saw me. I stood up and waited as he walked towards me. "Hey, Angela." he said quietly. I was Angela now, not Angie. That hurt. I sucked in my breath.

"Can we talk?" Jack nodded silently.

"Somewhere private?" Jack didn't answer but turned and walked down the street and down an alley. I didn't bother questioning him.

We were standing in an abandoned lot behind some stores. Jack sat down on the ground, his back to me. I sat down next to him, taking deep breaths. I didn't know exactly where I should begin.

"So I guess ya know everything about Sarah, huh?" he didn't sound bitter or angry. He just sounded tired. I stared at my hands.

"Yeah," I looked out across the horizon, "Why didn't you tell me yourself?"

Jack sighed. He shrugged and shook his head. "I-I, I don't know." He didn't know? What kind of answer was that? I was getting sick of this. My breath quickened and I gritted my teeth, waiting for him to say something more tangible than that. But nothing came.

I turned my head and looked Jack right in the face. "What do you mean you don't know?" my voice low and tense, dangerous. Jack looked at me apprehensively and didn't answer. "Well? I want to know!" I exploded. "Why couldn't you tell me? Why? Was it because you never broke up with Sarah, is that it? Were you afraid to tell me? Don't you trust me? Well??? Damnnit, Jack, what is it?" Suddenly I realized that somewhere in there I had stood up and began screaming. Growing self conscious I sat back down.

I glanced at Jack out of the corner of my eye, trying to see his reaction. He was sitting there, a pensive look on his face. He sort of cocked his head and looked at me. I quickly looked away.

Jack sighed. "Ya must think I'm da biggest asshole ya eva met." he commented. I shrugged a little. "Look. I'm sorry. I thought ya would get mad at me." I looked at him dubiously, waiting for the real truth. Jack's face fell. He knew I wasn't buying it.

"Angela," he started, very softly, looking at his hands "I was scared, ok?" He looked into my eyes. "I din't wanna lose ya. I, I dunno, I'm so confused," he said, frustrated, "It's like, you, ya really matta' ta me. I dunno, I neva' felt like dis before. I, mean, it hurts, ya know?" I nodded, understanding. "It's like if I lost ya, I dunno, it's like I might die or somethin'. And, it, it really scares me." he finished, staring deep into my eyes. I bit my lip, shocked.

I felt disconnected, like I wasn't really there. My mind was reeling. I had no idea what to say. I turned my head and looked at Jack, my eyes wide. He looked at me a little sad. I opened my mouth, trying to get some words out. Jack leaned forward and before I could say anything at all he was kissing me. It was soft and gentle. I closed my eyes. I could hear Jack's name being called in the distance. He slowly pulled away and looked at me concerned.