The brunette took this reaction to mean that their recent standoff was either in a recess or had ended altogether, “Will you see if you could find us two seats out on a flight today?”

The smaller woman blinked briefly and forced her eyes to focus on anything other than the woman with whom she had spent the better part of her 20s. For this reason, she chose her next words carefully, “Al, I can’t go with you.”

Alex’s expression offered no hint of the turmoil and astonishment she felt, “What?”

By this point, the flaxen-haired beauty had composed herself into a remarkably calm state and was able to easily articulate her thoughts as she spoke in an even tone, “I am so sorry about your mom…but this doesn’t change anything.”

Alex could not believe what she was hearing. She could not keep the incredulous sob from stifling her voice as she spoke to the only woman she had ever allowed herself to love, “You’re still leaving? Right now? My mother just died. I can’t fucking believe you!”

This rare display of vulnerability by the brunette did nothing to deter the smaller woman from the decision she had made, “I can’t be your girlfriend anymore.”

Alex was quick to reply with an attempt to shame the blonde for her choices, “Yeah, and apparently not even my friend.” The brunette quickly avoided finishing the argument. Deep down she knew she had already lost, “…top drawer, underneath my T-shirts.”

The fuming blonde strode across the room to the dresser, “Jesus, Alex! You fucking hid it?” She quickly pushed the clothing aside and brandished the recently misplaced passport.

The brunette offered no defense for her actions. She simply dissolved into an imbroglio of tears and allowed herself to beg, “Please don’t leave. Not now.”

The blonde fixed the other woman with a look of disdain and with that stare she turned her back on the one thing that had been the primary form of constancy in her life, as fleeting and feeble as it was. Once she reached the doorway, she gripped the handle of her suitcase and never offered a look back.

Once outside the blonde stood on the Parisian street and considered her options. She was immediately hit with a wave sights and sounds. The sidewalk teemed with characters from every walk of life and the air was thick with the sweet, yeasty smells rolling from the bistro on the corner…the one Alex liked to bring her coffee from. All of her senses were delightfully abuzz despite the ugliness of what had just transpired in the room upstairs. And anyway she was tired of living on Alex’s time.