By Paul Cwick

Greg sat frozen in his chair, staring into space, in a state of shock.

Cat’s parting words kept going over and over in his mind. "You’ll never see me again! Ever!" That’s what she said. What the hell did she mean by that? he wondered. Had she finally gotten the message that the relationship was over and that she would now stay the hell away from him? Somehow, Greg doubted it. Knowing Cat as he did, he had a feeling that her words were meant more as a threat than anything else.

You really did it this time buddy, he thought. There’s no telling what she’s liable to do now. He turned and stared at the door through which Cat had stormed a short while ago. Good God, she could be anywhere out there, he thought. Anywhere, anytime just watching…and waiting…for me.

A shiver ran down Greg’s spine at the last thought. What the hell am I gonna do? he wondered. I gotta get outta here, that’s what! Now! But where? Where the hell am I gonna go? It’s gotta be somewhere SHE can’t follow me. Where she can’t follow me… He thought…and thought.

Then an idea came to him in a flash, and he fairly leapt up out of the chair and ran to his desk in the other room. He pulled out a sheaf of papers, and began ruffling through them. When he found the one he was looking for, he picked up the telephone and started dialing.

"Hello, Alpha Travel?" he said when he got an answer. "Do you have any flights going to Seattle out of Walnut? You do? When’s the soonest you’ve got? Tonight? What time? Oh no, no, the ‘redeye’ is fine; in fact, that works out perfectly!"

He went on to make all the arrangements and work out the details, and then hung up. He pulled out a couple of suitcases and quickly threw some clothes into them. The flight was later that evening, and he only had a few hours to prepare. Which was good, he thought; the sooner he was out of here, the better. That way if Cat decided to come prowling around here later on, by then he’d be long gone…

He took a taxi to the airport and arrived shortly before the plane was to depart. He boarded and took his seat. As the plane took off, Greg looked out at the window at the ground falling away below, and felt a wave of relief wash over him.

Good bye, Cat. he thought. Good bye.

Greg arrived in Seattle at two o’clock in the morning, dripping wet from the rain (he was glad now that he’d remembered to pack his raincoat!) He grabbed a taxi and checked into the Triple Crown hotel, where he had made his reservations. When he got into his room, Greg dropped his suitcases on the floor, took off his raincoat, and just flopped down onto the bed and immediately fell into a deep, exhausted sleep, without even bothering to change out of his clothes.

The next morning, Greg called his boss, Dave Henson and told him where he was. Henson, needless to say, wasn’t too happy about being disturbed early on a Sunday morning or about Greg suddenly leaving town without a word. Greg hastened to reassure him, however, reminding him about the new sales prospects in Seattle, a subject which had been discussed in the past, along with the possibility of Greg exploring such prospects. Greg also explained that he had some hot leads lined up already, which he needed to follow up quickly, and that that was why he had no time to give advance notice.

In truth, of course, Greg had no such leads. But how could he explain to his boss the real reason for his sudden departure? How could he explain that the only reason he was in Seattle was because he knew the lousy weather would prevent a naked invisible woman from following him around?

In the end, although Henson still wasn’t too happy about Greg taking off on such short notice, by the time Greg was finished talking to him, he was at least willing to give Greg a chance. A chance, that was all Greg needed: just a chance. And besides, Henson told him, he admired Greg for taking the initiative the way he had; it showed good instincts, he said. He and Greg said their good-byes, and Greg hung up the phone, closing his eyes and letting out a great sigh of relief.

For the next two weeks, Greg simply hung around the hotel, resting and relaxing. It was the first time that Greg had been able to simply breathe easy, without worrying about being watched by unseen eyes or being attacked by unseen hands. The tension that had worn Greg’s nerves to the breaking point finally began to dissipate.

And it was a very nice, comfortable hotel too, the kind of place where they really make you feel at home, with coffee makers in each room, a wine bar just off the lobby, and in the lobby itself, a nice, warm open fire. It was an especially pleasant environment, especially after coming in from the cold, clammy damp weather outside. The hotel also had both a spa and an indoor pool, both of which Greg used regularly. The resumption of regular exercise helped to remove the last remnants of tension that remained in him.

Towards the end of the second week, Greg finally began to feel like his old self again. Even though his relationship with Cat had been a hellish, traumatic experience, like going through an emotional wringer, Greg was now beginning to realize that it was finally, really OVER. Thank God, he said to himself; she’s out of your life at last. This was the first glimmer of hope that Greg had known in months, and he felt as though an enormous weight was gradually being lifted from his shoulders. His stomach pains began to subside as well, and his hands didn’t tremble quite as much. Little by little, his eating and sleeping patterns began to return back to normal. For the first time in months, Greg now began to feel like a normal human being again.

Now the future began to look bright for Greg. Even though he had set out on this trip with no prospects, despite what he’d told his boss, he had since made some phone calls, got in touch with some contacts he knew in the area, and before long he had some very solid prospects lined up. All Greg needed to do, he realized, was close two or three good, solid deals, and then Henson would be more open to the idea of Greg staying on here permanently. Closing the deals should be easy, Greg thought, as he now felt his old confidence returning and growing stronger with each passing day. He now felt ready to take on the world.

As for the Thompson deal, that was all set, that would take care of itself. Even though he would have liked to have been there in person at the closing of the deal, Greg decided that he could manage the final details well enough through his subordinates by way of telephone and fax. Once that was out of the way, he could then start looking for an apartment, make a quick drip back to Walnut to pack his personal belongings together for the move up here, and then he’d be all set. Away from Cat, away from heartache. At last, Greg thought, things are finally looking up. He smiled as he looked out the window at the cold, rainy weather outside, a climate which, to another person under different circumstances, might be considered ‘gloomy,’ but which to Greg at that moment, was as cheerful as a sunny day at the beach. I’d love to see Cat try and follow me around up here, he thought.

The past two weeks hadn’t been very much fun for Cat, however. During those two weeks, she alternated between extended crying jags and furious rages, as conflicting emotions battled within her. These mood swings frightened her co-workers and her dwindling number of friends into keeping a safe distance from her. She still hadn’t divulged her secret of invisibility to anyone other than Greg, nor did she intend to. This was "their" little secret, which she was not willing to share with anyone else. For good or ill, this was something that was strictly between the two of them.

Cat still couldn’t believe what had happened between her and Greg. Even after two weeks, she still could not believe that Greg would want to be apart from her. Or that he’d have the nerve to even try to stand up to her the way he had.

She’d had a feeling, an intuitive feeling that Greg was going to pull SOMETHING one of these days, as he’d been getting increasingly ‘difficult’ for the past few weeks. But she never believed that he actually WOULD. Although she never entirely trusted him, she nevertheless had always been so confident, so sure of her hold on him, that it just never occurred to her that he would ever defy her for any reason, let alone talk about actually leaving her.

But he had.

So what was she going to do? What COULD she do about it? There had to be something… There was certainly no way she could let this pass. She alternated between wanting to ‘teach him a lesson’ and wanting to ‘make up’ with him and start all over. She couldn’t decide which of these she really wanted to do…

On the other hand, she thought, why bother? Who was Greg anyway? Was he worth getting this upset over? To hell with him, she thought, she didn’t need him. After all, she was The Invisible Woman now; she could have anything she wanted. Money, power, riches, anything in the world was now hers for the taking.

The trouble was, what she wanted most right then was Greg. No matter how much she tried to deny that fact to herself, it still remained there to torment her. She didn’t know why she wanted him, she just knew that she did. Now more than ever, it seemed. It was stupid, it was crazy, it made no sense. But the simple fact was that Cat still wanted Greg and she needed him. And she was determined to get him back, no matter what it took.

She was still angry with him of course, especially after that little stunt he pulled at the mall, trying to get one over on her. Ooooh, it just infuriated her all over again to think about it! Smart guy, he had to be a smart guy! Whenever Cat thought about the incident, she really truly felt like breaking Greg’s neck. It would be so easy, she thought. All she’d have to do is turn invisible, go find him and wrap her fingers around his miserable neck… He wouldn’t have a chance…

And yet at the same time, as the days went by, she began to have a change of heart about the whole thing. She began to think…that maybe Greg had been punished enough. Maybe enough time had elapsed to where she might be willing to forgive and forget. After all, she had shown him where he was wrong, and he was no doubt sorry for what he’d done... And he was so pathetic, so helpless… How could he possibly manage by himself without her to look after him? He’d be completely lost without her…

He knew it too, she was sure. He needed her just as much as she needed him and they both knew it. So why did he go through this whole charade of "breaking up?" It was all so stupid… Besides, there was no way she would ever let him go, he should know that by now… He must know it…

He would call. One of these days. He had to. One of these days, he would call her up and say he was sorry, and would she please, please forgive him. And she would pretend to be angry for a while, but eventually she would give in and take him back, just like she always had.

He would call. She just knew he would. It was only a matter of time before the phone would ring.

But the phone never rang.

Cat then began to rethink the situation. Why won’t he call? she wondered. What’s wrong with him? Was he too scared? Was he afraid of her? Was that it? What was he so afraid of? Was she a monster or something? Well then, if he was too afraid, then maybe it was up to HER to contact HIM, and somehow MAKE him apologize. She wouldn’t even ‘punish’ him this time, nor would she make any major demands of him. All she would ask for would be a simple apology, to say he was sorry, and then things could get back to normal and they could both forget all about this BS about "breaking up"…

She knew that if she could only get a chance to talk to him, she could make him see where he was wrong, and from there, it would only be a short step to make him apologize. But how to get him to talk? she wondered. Maybe…maybe if HE thought SHE was sorry… That might work. In truth, she really WASN’T sorry (she felt a little bad about what happened to Greg’s nose, but that was mostly his own fault, she decided.) But maybe if she could somehow make him THINK she was sorry… Maybe a little ‘peace offering’ of some kind. It had worked before. But he’s so angry this time, she thought, it would have to be something pretty big…

She tried calling Greg on the phone, but he wouldn’t answer. After the tenth attempt to call him she realized that he must be REALLY angry at her this time, if he wouldn’t even answer the phone. She left messages on his answering machine, but they were never returned.

She began to wait outside his apartment building, hoping to catch him on his way to work in the morning, but he never came out. He must have left for work early in the morning, she thought. So she began showing up earlier and earlier, hoping to catch him, but she never did. She then began to wait for him in the evenings, hoping to catch him on his way home, but also without success. She tried ringing his doorbell and even banging on the door, but still there was no answer. What the hell kind of hours does he keep? she wondered…

There MUST be a way to get to him, she thought, there MUST be...

So she then started showing up at Greg’s workplace in the mornings and afternoons, waiting outside in the parking lot, hoping to approach him as he entered and left the building. But after several hours of waiting and still no sign of him, Cat began to wonder if Greg was even still going to work. Did he quit? she wondered. Was he fired maybe? There was only one way to find out, she thought.

She got out of her car and walked through the glass doors of the large office building. She walked right past the front desk without a word and proceeded to climb the stairs when she was stopped by a security guard, who demanded to know who she was and what she wanted. Cat informed the guard that she had no time to waste talking to him, that she was here on important business. She turned and continued up the stairs. The guard then physically restrained her, to which Cat responded negatively. Cat and the guard engaged in a rather heated debate, which grew in both volume and intensity as it continued. Increasingly harsh words were exchanged, and it wasn’t long before more security guards arrived. After lengthy and increasingly acrimonious discussion, Cat was finally persuaded to leave the building, and advised never to return.

Cat returned to her car, absolutely seething, where she sat and sulked for the better part of an hour. She then reached into her purse and pulled out a tiny glass vial… She would find Greg, of that she was sure. If he was anywhere in that building, she would find him. But first, she thought as she eyed the glass vial, she would have to teach a certain security guard some manners…

By the beginning of the third week, Greg felt relaxed, almost cheerful as he arrived back at the hotel one evening after a particularly promising dinner meeting with some prospective clients. He actually felt in a good mood again for the first time in several months. He hadn’t even THOUGHT of Cathy OR their fight for about three or four days now. His thoughts were now focused on the future. The Thompson deal he’d been working on for so long was pretty much in the bag and would soon pay off, and there were now two other deals lined up that looked almost as promising. And the last time Greg had talked to Mr. Henson on the phone, his boss sounded more agreeable, even mildly enthusiastic to the prospect of Greg staying on in Seattle permanently.

Greg walked through the front doors of the hotel and the warm air inside enveloped him like a soft, comforting blanket. He took off his wet raincoat, folded it over his arm and strode across the lobby towards the elevators. He had just passed the front desk when the desk clerk called out to him. "Mr. Novak?"

Greg stopped and turned to face the clerk. "Yes?" he said.

The clerk reached under the desk and brought out a small package wrapped in brown paper. "Package for you. It arrived earlier this afternoon by special messenger."

"Thanks." Greg put the raincoat under his arm, took the package in his free hand and headed back to the elevator. Inside the elevator, Greg examined the package. It felt like a small box. Hmm, that’s odd, he thought as he looked it over. No return address, no postage.

The elevator doors opened at Greg’s floor and he walked down the hall to his room. He pulled his key out, and tried to juggle it, his briefcase, a portfolio he held under his arm, his raincoat and the package all at the same time. He had just gotten the door open when the portfolio slipped from under his arm, scattering papers all over the floor. Greg cursed as he set down the briefcase, package and raincoat and knelt down to gather the scattered documents.

When he had gathered all his belongings together again, he stepped inside the room and closed the door. He set down the briefcase, portfolio and folded raincoat. He unwrapped the package, tearing away the brown paper to reveal a small, hinged, velvet-covered box, with a tiny envelope attached. Inside the envelope was a card. Immediately, Greg’s spine stiffened. His fingers began to tremble as they pulled the tiny card from its envelope.

On the card was a crude drawing of a face, like a ‘happy’ face, only this was a ‘sad’ face, with tears coming from its eyes. Underneath the drawing was a hand-written message: "I’m sorry! Will you forgive me?" Greg winced as he recognized Cat’s handwriting.

"Well, aren’t you going to open it?" said a familiar voice at his shoulder.

Greg let out a yelp and he jumped about a foot in the air. The box flew from his hands as he whirled about and pressed his back against the wall. The box stopped in mid-flight, as though caught by someone, and then hovered in mid-air.

"I’m sorry. Did I scare you?" Cat’s voice said from somewhere in front of him, in the vicinity of the floating box.

"Omigod, omigod, omigod…!" Greg repeated.

"It’s nice to see you again, Greg. I’ve missed you." Cat’s voice said as the small box floated closer to him.

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