Anna's Secret

of time, you must’ve come up with an idea for supper.”
“Honestly, I love Japanese take out. But that would defeat the purpose of getting ready to go out, now wouldn’t it?”
He smoothed his hands over the five o’clock shadow on his chin. “With all that’s gone on, you’re probably weary to the bone. Let’s go for a drive first and get you out of here for a change of scenery. Then I know an awesome place for the best Japanese take out. We can bring it back here to eat.”
She clapped her hands as a genuine smile split across her face. “You read my mind. I’d love that.”
“On one condition,” he paused. “You have to promise to eat.”
She crossed her heart. “I promise.”

“Irasshaimase.” Anna bowed to him and waved her hand to the prepared area she had created in her living room. “That means welcome, please come in.”
Matt’s eyes widened, but he followed.
“Off with the shoes, Doctor.” She forced a smile and with conscious effort curled the edges of her mouth up. For a moment in time she was determined to rise above her circumstances. She kicked her shoes free and plopped to the floor.
“Japanese food is meant to be consumed sitting on pillows around a low table in true Zashiki style, but this coffee table will have to do.”
“I thought you told me you rarely traveled.”
“My circumstances may have dictated lack of experience but trust me when I say I’m well read and have a vivid imagination. Now, when I attempt to eat with these chopsticks, you’ll see firsthand what I mean.”
She fumbled with the grip and sent a prawn flying his way. He laughed.
“I warned you.”
“Two second rule.” He picked the prawn off the table and popped it in his mouth.
The banter lasted a few more moments before her appetite waned, and she pushed the food around on her plate. Though she tried hard to focus on conversation, the edges of sadness folded in. She shifted to find comfort and propped a pillow behind her back. That all too familiar knot of tension twisted and settled into place.
She was annoyed at how he kept trying to bring the conversation back around to how she was doing, how she felt, if she was sleeping. Like a wagon train at night, she placed his questions outside the circle of safety and kept the conversation on—the weather, current events, his work—anything but her.
The minute he finished his meal, he jumped to his feet and removed the plates. “Relax.” He waved her over to the couch as she rose to help. “I’ll get these and be right back.”
Rather than grab his coat as she had hoped, he seated himself beside her and turned her way.
“What’s it like to work—”
Matt held up his hand. “Please. I don’t want to talk about my work, myself, or anything else for that matter. I’m truly concerned about you.”
She exhaled deeply. Defeated and distressed.
“I hope you feel comfortable enough with me by now to tell me how you’re really doing?”
She turned from his intense stare.
“Every time I steer the conversation in your direction, you change the subject and ask about the weather or something equally irritating.”
Unwanted tears pooled precariously on the edges of her lashes. All it took was for one to break free and roll down her cheek and the rush started.
He leaned toward her. She stilled him with an outstretched hand and rose swiftly to her feet. She headed to the kitchen island where she knew a box of tissues sat and grabbed a handful. She buried her head in a mountain of tissues as the stream of tears became a river.
“You want the truth? Fine.” With an angry sweep, she brushed the continual flow of tears from her flushed cheeks.
“I’m a thirty-nine-year-old woman with no skill sets who needs to find a job. I can’t rely on the generosity of my late husband’s parents forever. The best years of my life were devoted to a sick husband and two growing boys, but now everything that gave me purpose is gone. Gone.”
“What about your parents?”
She felt the blood siphon from her face. Her heart still tightened at the thought. “I lost them both in a car crash when I was twelve. Sadness and tragedy seem to find me.”
She paced back and forth wringing the tissue into shreds. “And I’m tired of these blasted tears … they just keep falling. The quiet in this house closes in to the point I feel like it’s choking me.” She placed a hand to her throat. “To be honest, Matt, I’ve been lonely for a long, long time.” She sank onto the bar stool and buried her head in her hands. “I’m so alone I could disappear for days and no one would notice.”
Her cheeks grew hot at the thought of what her tirade had just divulged. What was it about this man that made her spill her soul?
She stiffened as she felt him place a hand on her shoulder and swivel the stool toward him.
“Please go. I don’t know why I told you all of this. I didn’t mean to dump my problems on you.” Her eyes flickered up, then quickly down. “I guess it’s because you’re the first person who cared enough to demand an answer.”
“Anna.” His breath came out in a whisper as he bent toward her. “I do care.” He pulled her to her feet and enveloped her in the warmth of a hug.
It had been a long time since she’d felt the strong protective strength of a man. Her head slowly relaxed upon his shoulder, and she soaked in the embrace. One hand gently cradled the back of her head as he whispered words of comfort.
“You’re not alone. I’m here.”
She closed her eyes and allowed the tears to subside. Raw awareness took over.
His hug became alive with movement as his other hand ran up and down her spine in a soothing motion. Her breath caught as he caressed his fingers through