"Is there something I can help you with?" she asks. She begins playing with the phone cord, twisting it around her fingers until they hurt.
     "I feel I owe you an explanation. For what happened. Melinda we have this bond now. I can't just forget. And I know you can't either." He sighs loudly. She can tell that he is searching for the right words. She remains silent for fear that she will lose control if she speaks.
     "When I kissed you that first time… maybe I was just caught in the moment… I don't know… but I did mean it. From the moment I saw you I knew I would fall in love with you. You're beautiful, smart…"
     "Wayne, you can cut the flattery. I don't really want to hear it. Perhaps you don't realize the effect this has had on me," she says calmly, her eyes closed.
     "Then I'm sorry. I was telling the truth." He stops and there is silence on both ends for a brief moment. Then he continues on. "I've been… unhappy. Genevieve… she's a good person and I did love her once, but I seem to have lost that feeling somehow along the way. I can't explain what happened. I hardly know. I had every intention of leaving her, Melinda. I was ready. And then she discovered she was pregnant, and now that our child is born... My hands are tied. I can't leave my son… Does that make sense?"
     "Perfectly," she responds in a whisper. "It would be best if you forgot me, Wayne. I don't want to be responsible for breaking up a marriage. I promise to do the same for you… I will forget you and move on. I just need some time." She pauses a moment and then adds, "Please don't call me again."
     She can tell that he is wounded. It shows in his voice. "Of course… I won't call you again. I-I'm sorry." He attempts to change the subject, perhaps in an effort to prevent himself from breaking down. "I was told that your house is for sale. You're leaving?"
     "There are too many bad memories here, Wayne… I can't bring myself to stay."
     "Where will you go?" he asks.
     "I don't know. Back to school for now. I plan on buying a small house somewhere… We'll see, I guess," she answers.
     "Well, good luck, Melinda," he says softly. "I-"
     "Please don't say it," she says, cutting him off. She can't bear to hear another I love you. He sighs in acceptance. "Goodbye, Melinda."
     "Goodbye, Wayne," she says. She hangs up the phone before he can say another word. She makes her way to the couch and sits down, feeling crushed and exhausted.