The Need by Lusthawk61

The Need – Robert helps Joan feel good again 17SEP2019

The company work van made a clambering kind of sound as it made its way over the rougher roads of the industrial area – its contents being jostled around by the well-used thoroughfares. Murray had some business just out of the city and told Joan if she wanted a ride to their friend’s place, he could drop her off. Joan had no particular reason to be in that part of the city again, but seeing old friends is always good.

She was feeling quite run down and felt she could use some time with friends – things in her world had something to be desired. Murray and she had all but completely severed their relationship but Joan felt that it should not end and was trying to find a way to achieve that result. But Murray was seeing another woman now and the desire to keep trying was waning. She started to think about what would be next for her if she could not get him to see what she sees. Get him to see that strong sense in her that they were meant to be together and not being together was in fact un-natural.

For his part, Murray was having an identity crisis of sorts. It had only been a short time before that the legal woes over his failed marriage had finally ended – and with it the final remnant of his old life. He felt lost – as if he had no life of his own. He became determined that he would reset and redefine himself – maybe have some fun now that he was not living under that legal cloud anymore.

Murray wanted a lady in his life to live life with him – and not just along for the ride. He wanted an active partner and Joan was not fitting that bill. He was constantly feeling as though he was dragging her through their relationship – a sideliner instead of a player. He had told Joan some months before that she was not going to be with him anymore unless he saw something that suggested what he was thinking of her was wrong. Part of him wanted to stay with her and there was a part that didn’t – the whole question perched on the end of a pin.

The silence in the van was deafening as neither had much to say. Joan was feeling drained as the battle had not played well with her self-esteem. She just wanted to get to John and Robin’s place and forget about it all – even if for only a short time. Murray swung the van onto Lakeshore Drive and pulled up in front of their friend’s townhouse.

“Do you know when you will be finished tomorrow?” she asked him.

“Don’t know – depends how far we get today I guess – I will know more later today” he answered.

Acknowledging the plan, Joan exited the van and made her way up the walkway to the door. Before she could ring the buzzer, John appeared at the door to welcome her.

“Hey stranger” he shouts, scooping her up in a friendly bear hug. Joan knew right away that coming here was to have a very good effect on her. They climbed the stairs to the main floor of the townhouse where Robin has Joan’s favourite coffee brewing.

“Hey Joanie!!!!!” Robin blurts out as she embraces her.

“Hey yourself girl – lookin good” she answers admiring her lithesome figure.

Joan was about to cart her bag off to the bedroom where she would be sleeping but Robin drew her into the kitchen – it was clear she had something important to say.

“I feel just awful about this Joan but I forgot that my brother and his family are coming later today and they will be staying over” Robin said apologetically.

“Well, all I need is couch for tonight Robin and that will be fine – no sweat” Joan affirmed.

“Afraid not Hun – the kids will be hunkered down on the couch” Robin admitted.

Joan was a bit concerned as to what to do next when there came a knock at the door. Everyone could tell by the knock pattern that it was Rueben. Rueben and Joan had worked together some years back as did John and they all remained friends – despite the fact that many went their separate ways as time went on.

Rueben lumbered up the stairs and made his greetings to Joan – taking a seat at the kitchen table. The rest of the morning was spent catching up and having a laugh or two. Joan could feel the tension of the last while leave her as she drank in the warm feelings of being among good friends again. It was not long before the subject of Joan’s sleeping needs came up.

“No problem” Rueben exclaims. “Robert is going to be at his fiancé’s place for the weekend so his bed will be empty.” Robert and Rueben had been friends for quite some time and had been roommates off and on. Joan knew it was only going to be for that night anyway so she did not see the harm in taking him up on the offer.

With her problem seemingly solved, they all returned to having a good time – all enjoying the secure embrace of being among people you know well and love. Joan abstained from any drugs or alcohol – she was concerned that if she did, she might start bawling like a baby over her and Murray’s issues. With the night drawing to a close, Joan and Rueben climbed into a cab for the ride to his house.

She was looking forward to getting some sleep as the cab pulled up in front of the older bungalow. Exiting the cab and striding up the front steps, Rueben twisted the lock on the front door and was immediately greeting with a chorus of feline music. Both he and Robert had a cat so the two of them had run of the house when no one was home. Joan made her way inside closing and locking the door behind her – pausing a moment to stroke the demanding felines.

“Down that hall on the left is his room” Rueben states pointing down the darkened hall as he heads to the kitchen. Joan finds the switch for the hallway light and locates Robert’s bedroom door. Stepping in the room, she is immediately greeted with a familiar scent – the cologne he likes – sweaty shirt or two in his laundry hamper – all combining to make a rich aroma that made it clear that this was Robert’s room.

This was mixture of scents that had not filled her nostrils in a long time. This scent was well familiar to her because her and Robert were an item some years before – but a quirky twist of fate saw Robert take up with another while Joan had gone with Murray. The breakup that happened between Joan and Robert was tumultuous as Robert had begun to see another woman before ending it with Joan – made worse by the fact that Robert was staying at Joan’s place at the time. They had not seen each other since he had picked up the last of his belongings at her place – and that had been a few years ago.

Joan changed into a night shirt and robe and met up with Rueben now having a drink in the living room.

“So where is he working at?” Rueben inquires about Murray’s whereabouts.

“No idea “she answers. “Someplace just out of town I think.”

“How are things going with you guys?”

“Could not be worse” she admits. “I am really starting to doubt if we will ever get back together Ruby.”

Joan suddenly realizes that she had not heard from Murray as he said he would. Realizing also he has no idea there has been a change in sleeping arrangements so as far as he knows; Joan is still at John and Robin’s. Murray was her ride back so she needed to be sure she did not miss him the next day.