Vulnerable Read Online Free PDF Page B

lose someone you love? No matter how abusive—,”
                “I SAID I’M SORRY!” She cried out, a tear streaming defiantly from her right eye. Everyone turned to stare into her face, including the brawny waiter that was standing close by. Her lip was quivering and Michael looked vacantly at her masked eyes. What was she hiding?
                “I—I’m so—It’s all right… I… uh…”
                “Is this guy botherin’ you?” The waiter asked foully. He must have shuffled his bulky body over there at the speed of light to get there so fast. Michael rolled his eyes. Who did that guy think he was? Every other college wrestler/failed football player in the country?
                “N-No, I’m sorry, it was my fault—I overreacted. Everything’s fine.” She swiped the loose tear from her cheek and clasped her hands together, looking up at the Neanderthal with a falsified smile marked across her soft-featured face.
                They spent the rest of the night awkwardly talking about the weather and things like that, but occasionally got to some fun topics like movies and books, which made Michael see the human side in Millie, making him admire her even greater. The hint of intrigue never left his mind, though; if anything, it just grew the more he spent time with her. What was her story? Why was she here?
                “I can’t believe you never saw that movie,” Millie laughed, swinging her arms by her side as they made their way to the parking lot, “It’s a classic.”
                “Yeah,” Michael laughed. “So,” he started a new, heavier topic, “It’s my turn to ask a question.
                “Shoot.”
                “Have you ever been in love?”
                Her face didn’t seem to shift and her body language remained relaxed. Whatever she was hiding, it couldn't have been romantic.
                “Nah, I don’t think so. I don’t think I’ve found anyone right for me quite yet…”
                “I see… So do you have any cool friends around here?”
                “Uh-uh! It’s my turn!” Millie laughed, shoving his arm playfully as he played with his keys.
                “All right, all right,” he laughed back. She placed a finger on her lips and rolled her eyes to the glowing silvery moon. Her mind was streaming with thoughts and questions.
                “What’s your favorite memory?” she asked. He had to think about this. He thought back on the days when he and his wife were first married, before she got mentally ill, and the world went fuzzy.
                “One time… when my wife and I were first married… we bought a puppy,” his voice sounded calm but serious, as if he were talking about his wife’s death rather than a happy moment from their life together. Millie’s face concentrated on every word that hung off his lips. He went on, “Her face lit up when she saw that little guy prance around…” His eyes were glistening now and threatened tears; his hose was clogging quickly. “That was before she was… sick… and she was so happy… so innocent… and full of love…” he trailed off into silent cries that he buried into his shirt sleeve.
                There was a moment of pure silent contemplation; Millie knew what place in the heart and mind Michael had to burrow to in order to retrieve such a memory from his subconscious. She remained still next to him, other than the hand she let silently rub his shoulder in empathy.
                “I’m such a woma—I mean—I’m sorry, I’m super emotional,” Michael’s cheeks flushed a crimson color through the reflection of glittery tears.
                “Well, as a woman , I can tell you that releasing your emotions greatly decreases your psychological burden as well as making you