Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?



The party had gone on until the wee hours of the morning, long after midnight.

Gilbert had seen everyone off, one by one, and now returned to find Sherilyn.

The place was finally quiet.

Sherilyn sat on a chair, feeling a bit dizzy from the champagne she'd had earlier.

"Sherilyn."

Gilbert knelt down in front of her, taking her hand gently, "Feeling any better?"

"Yeah."

Sherilyn nodded groggily, glancing around, "Is everyone gone?"

"Yes, they've all gone home to rest. Let's head back too."

"Okay."

She leaned on his arm to stand up.

As soon as she took a step, her knees buckled, and she nearly toppled over.

"Whoa, easy there!" Gilbert caught her securely, chuckling softly, "Lost your footing?"

"Yeah." Sherilyn frowned, frustrated, "I can't walk. What now?"

Gilbert's eyes softened with amusement; a tipsy Sherilyn was as endearing as a child.

"How about this?"

He turned around, crouching slightly, "Hop on, I'll give you a lift."

"Hmm?" Sherilyn blinked at his broad back, contemplated for a moment, then grinned, "Sure!"

She spread her arms wide and flopped onto his back.

She patted his shoulder playfully, "Giddy-up!"

Gilbert paused, then burst out laughing, "You treating me like a horse now?"

"So what?" Sherilyn tilted her head, teasing, "Can't I? You don't want to?"

She 'demanded' with a mock pout and began to squirm on his back.

"Alright, alright!" Gilbert pleaded, swaying slightly under her playful assault, "I do, I do! My little daredevil, hold still, or you might fall off! That'd hurt!" "Oh..."

Hearing the warning, Sherilyn obediently settled down.

Gilbert chuckled, "If you like riding me so much, I'll let you do it all night when we're back."

The person on his back didn't respond. Maybe she hadn't heard him, or maybe she was too out of it to understand. She remained still. "Asleep already?"

Gilbert wondered aloud, glancing up.

at the sky. The night was crisp, the stars twinkling, and a gentle breeze brushed by. It was a perfect night.

"Only thing missing is Jenna."

Gilbert mused to himself.

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He hadn't brought Jenna along, partly because it was too late fora child to stay up, and partly because,

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Gilbert smiled whimsically, picturing it, "When we have our wedding, Jenna and James can be our flower kids."

"Mmm..."

A soft murmur came from behind him?

"Sherilyn?"

Gilbert thought he must have imagined it, "Was that you? Are you awake?"

"Mmm, hmm..."noveldrama

This time, Gilbert heard it clearly. It was Sherilyn, and from the sound of it, she was crying?

"Sherilyn..."

"Hmm, hmm..."

No need to ask further, the sobs from his back grew more distinct.

Sherilyn clung to his back, her weeping intensifying. Her cheek pressed against his shoulder.

It was a warm summer night, and their clothes were light.

Soon, her tears seeped through his shirt, dampening his skin.

The warmth of her tears sent a shiver down Gilbert's spine.

"Sherilyn..." Gilbert blinked rapidly, his eyes stinging as his own emotions welled up.

He didn't need to ask; he had a good idea why she was crying.

They were already married, and he... he had let her down for so many years...

"Hmm..."

Sherilyn sniffled, rubbing her face against his back, "You're such a jerk!"

"Yeah." Gilbert swallowed hard, his voice thick, "I'm a jerk."

"You..."

et

Sherilyn's tears flowed freely, her fingers tightening on his shoulders, "You better treat me right. If you ever hurt me again, I'll... I'll make sure you never see me again!"

"I won't."