Truth or dare...

She stood in the shower the hot water mixing with the tears streaming down her face.

"It will be like rain in OUR shower!"
"It's $70, why do we need a $70 shower head when we could get this one for $25?"
"Rain shower. Seriously, you will love it! And there is room enough for two under here...."

He had been right, there had been room for two. And it was a wonderful shower. Just like standing in a spring rainstorm. When was the last time they had shared the shower? Three weeks ago? A month? She tried to pull the memory up but couldn't. The tears kept falling.

"I want to tell you something, it's important."
"Shhh...not right now, okay? You're tired, just rest. You can tell me later."

She had always taken dare in games of Truth or Dare. Everyone had thought she was the wild one. Not afraid of anything. But that had been the lie. She was more afraid of truth than she was of any silly dare that might be given. When other girls would take truth and have to answer the most personal of questions she would get uncomfortable.  Her mother's voice would ring in her head, "They are called secrets for a reason. Private things should be kept private." And she would always take the dare.

"You know I love you right?"
"Of course I know that. You don't have to ask. I love you, you love me. Always, right? Now just rest."

Had he known at that point that she already knew? Was he trying to explain or was he trying to warn her what was coming? It didn't matter. She wished she could have taken the dare.

How long could she stay in the shower? As the water cooled she heard her father's voice in her head. "Ignoring a problem doesn't make the problem go away. It just makes it a bigger problem." Shutting off her private rainstorm she got out of the shower and dressed.

"You two were a perfect match. I am so sorry."
"Thank you, I appreciate that."

Had everyone known? Had anyone known? Sorry could mean so many things.

Opening the laptop (slammed shut, unsee, unsee, unsee), logging in to his email account (we don't have passwords, why would we? I just need to get Arnie's phone number from his contacts, it will take me 10 seconds) there were 15 new messages. On top of the 10 from before. Each one the subject line more frantic. Hey! progressing to Are you there? on to Call Me, I'm worried! On to the worst one, I love you. Please call.

She picked the last one and opened it. Not reading the message. Just hitting reply. I don't want Truth, I'll take the Dare.

What should she say? What was there to say?  Should she introduce herself? Make small talk? "we seem to have a lot in common..." She clamped her hand over her mouth to keep the hysterical giggle from taking over. Was it funny? Maybe. Probably not. She didn't know anymore as the giggle dissolved in to tears. Opening a search window she opened up a link from the newspaper and attached it to the email. I'll take the Dare...Sending.

Grastin, James F. Age 37

James passed away September the 3rd from injuries sustained in an automobile accident August the 31st. James is survived by his wife....