Into The Fire - E. L. Todd Page 0,1

then entered the banquet hall. People were dressed in their finest, and the women’s gowns were beautiful and elegant. Roger handed me a champagne flute and took one of his own.

“It’s nice,” I said as I took a sip.

“Yeah…” He took a long drink while he kept his arm around my waist. “I always feel lonely at these things. I’m in a crowded room but I feel like I’m standing alone.” His eyes had a distant look to them, like he was in a faraway place.

I didn’t know how to react so I took a long drink. Depressed people didn’t make me uncomfortable. I just wasn’t sure what to say to something like that.

Roger moved around the room and made small talk with people. He introduced me as his girlfriend, and people seemed impressed that Roger was back on his feet so quickly after the divorce, especially with a girl half his age.

There was a silent auction, and Roger bid on a trip for two to Hawaii. I just hoped he wasn’t planning on taking me if he won. Then we sat down to dinner and made small talk with his colleagues. Everyone brown-nosed him and treated him like he was the most interesting person in the room, but it was obvious how fake they were. The second he turned around, they would rip into him without any remorse.

I felt bad for him.

He was clearly a good boss for putting on a charity event and being so nice to his employees, but people didn’t like him for whatever reason. Perhaps the scandal of his divorce was still too fresh.

That wasn’t fair.

After dinner, Roger turned to me. “Would you like to dance?”

“Sure.” I gave him a smile to uplift his mood.

We moved to the dance floor and glided around slowly. Roger kept his hands in respectable places and guided me across the floor. It was clear he’d done this a hundred times.

“You’re a good dancer.” I tried to think of anything to cheer him up. The permanent frown on his face made me sad.

“Thanks…” He looked around at the other couples. “I’m sorry I’m such poor company. I usually come to these things with my wife…ex-wife.” He looked at anything but me.

“I’m sorry…” I wasn’t sure what happened in his marriage but I suspected she left him and ran him dry.

“There was someone else.” He spoke without preamble. “And she left. The worst part is she took the kids. Now they live in Long Island. I only see them every other weekend.”

His words were breaking my heart. “I’m sorry, Roger. But things will get better.”

“Do you believe there’s only one special person for everyone?”

I thought of Tony. “No. I think some people are more compatible with each other, but I don’t think we only have one chance of success. Relationships are what you make of it.”

He nodded slowly. “I hope you’re right.”

“I am, Roger. And you’ll find someone else.”

“I guess.” He shrugged. “But even after everything my wife did to me…I still want her.” He stared at the floor as he moved. “Does that make me pathetic?”

My heart ached. “Not at all. You loved her with all your heart. And real love doesn’t die overnight.”

He nodded and kept dancing.

At the end of the night, we said goodbye to everyone then left. The limo took us back to the office while we sat quietly in the backseat.

“I hate the way they look at me,” he whispered. “I feel like a loser in high school all over again.”

“Who cares what they think,” I said. “If they really judge you the second you hit hard times, they’re terrible people anyway. Fire them if they cross you.”

He chuckled slightly. “I could never fire anyone. I don’t have it in me.”

He was too sweet. And that made people take advantage of him. I’d seen it too many times not to recognize it.

We arrived at the office and Roger walked me to the door in the rear. “I can take you home. There’s no reason for you to walk.”

Roger seemed harmless but I didn’t take any chances. “I’ll be fine. I have paperwork to do anyway.”

He stared at me then stepped closer. His hands were in his pockets and his eyes looked distant. “Thanks for being my date tonight.”

“It was my pleasure, Roger. Take care.”

He didn’t move away. It seemed like there was something else he wanted to say.

I patiently waited.

He quickly leaned in and aimed his lips for mine.

“Whoa…” My hand flew to his chest and