Anita walked into the crowded retaurant. She looked all over the place but she couldn't find her boyfriend Kevin. He better not have stood her up again. She sighed and walked over to the maitre'd.
"Hi, I'm supposed to be meeting my boyfriend but I don't see him."
"Well, what's his name and what time was the reservation for?"
"His name is Kevin Richardson and um, the reservation was for 7 o'clock."
"There was a reservation made but it seems that Mr. Richardson called earlier to cancel it."
"Great! Just great. Well, thanks anyway."
"I'm sorry ma'am. Enjoy the rest of your night."
"Yeah, you too."
She walked outside, trying not to cry. He had done it again. No matter what she did or how hard she tried, he always managed to do something to screw things up. She loved him but she couldn't deal with all the crap he put her through. She got back into her car and drove back to her empty apartment. After changing her clothes, she picked up the phone and called Kevin.
"Hello?"
"Thanks for calling to tell me you cancelled our dinner reservation."
"Oh babe, I'm sorry. I got stuck in the studio and couldn't call you."
"Yeah, yeah. Spare me the song and dance number. I could have found something better to do tonight."
"I know, I'll try to make it up to you, I swear."
"Should I hold my breath or would I suffocate?"
"Your sarcasm isn't helping matters."
"What's the big deal? You practically never keep your promises anyway. Why should I be nice?"
Kevin rubbed his temples. "Anita, I have to do my job. You do understand right?"
"Yeah, I understand. I don't like it but I understand."
"I know, but we just started recording again. It's going to be a process. Why don't you come to the studio tomorrow afternoon and I'll take you out to lunch?"
She sighed. "Okay, I'll call you in the morning."
"Okay. Well I better go. Night."
"Night."
The next day Anita went to join Kevin at the studio. She watched him as he played the piano. She could watch him for hours. He looked at peace when he played. It was something she didn't see very often. They broke for lunch and Kevin took her for Chinese.
"So, how's recording coming?"
"Great. We're getting so much done. The songs we have so far are really solid."
"That's good. I'm glad everything's going well for you guys."
"Thanks. It means a lot that you're supportive of my career."
"Of course."
He smiled. "You're great."
"I try."
They ate and soon it was time for Kevin to go back to the studio. Anita dropped him off and he promised to call later that night. He didn't and his excuse was the same as always. He was busy working and got home late.
Over the next few weeks, things became even more strained between the two. Kevin's constant working pulled more attention away from Anita. She grew angrier at every broken promise. Finally Kevin called her and asked if he could come over to talk.
"What's going on Kevin?"
"Work is really hectic. That's what we need to talk."
"Why?"
"Anita, I don't think this is fair anymore. I can't keep doing this."
"What do you mean?"
"I can't go on pretending I'm happy."
"You're not happy with me?"
"Not really."
"But I thought we loved each other."
"That's the thing. I don't love you."
"You don't?"
"Not in the way you love me. I'm sorry."
"No, I"m sorry. Sorry for loving you."
"Anita, you know I never meant t hurt you."
"Save it. Goodbye Kevin."
They hung up and Anita began to sob. How dare he not love her? After everything she did for him, after all she put up with. She told herself that things would be okay but she knew they wouldn't.
Hours turned into days and days turned into weeks. Anita was a shadow of what she used to be. She needed to talk to Kevin, maybe...she thought, if he saw how I am, he'll love me and want me back.
"Hello?"
"Kevin? It's me."
Anita?"
"Yeah. I feel stupid to call you but I'm lonely. And I don't think you meant it when you said you couldn't love me. And i thought that maybe if I kissed the way you do you'd feel it too."
"I'm sorry Anita. I'm so sorry. But I can't be with you."
She sobbed again and hung up. He got into his car and went to her house to make sure she didn't try to hurt herself.
He got to her apartment and found the door unlocked. He walked in and found her lying in bed. She turned to face him. She sat up and went into attack him. He held her wrists ad her fingers turned into angry fists, trying to hit him. She whispered quietly:
"Why can't you love me? I'll change for you, I'll play the part."
He looked at her sadly. "I'm sorry, so sorry. We can never be."
And with that he walked out of her life forever.