Erin struggles with the key, before finally entering into the dark bowels of her house, inviting me in.

I reach to the switch, but Erin stops me half-way, “Let’s go to the yard first.”

I comply, following Erin through the long hall to the back door. As we step on the cracking porch automatic latterns light the tiny backyard, surrounded by decrepit fence. Mowed lawn. Nothing unusual. I squint my eyes, noticing strange plants in the far corner. They weren’t there before. I turn to Erin.

“Is it what I think it is?”

“It is,” smiles Erin, proudly glancing at the thick stems, peeping from the large leaves, reminding banana palm one.

“How?” I kneel in front of the baby plant, fighting the temptation to caress its flawless leaves. “I’ve never seen anything like that.” I mumble, completely bewitched by those green hues.

“You weren’t supposed to,” chuckles Erin, “It’s not from this world.”

“You’re a true fairy, Er.”

“Just a scientist, love.”

Reluctantly, I stand up. I feel the ash under my feet. Something clicks inside my head. Now I get it. “That’s what clothes are for, right?”

Erin gives out a smile.

“Just not that apricot dress,” I beg, “I really liked it.”

Erin rolls her eyes, “Come, it’s getting chilly.”

This time she turns on the switch herself. It got nicer from the last time I was here

“Cozy.” I say out loud.

Erin gets the bottle of champagne from the cupboard. “Thanks. I was allowed to get this place, my touch, you know.”

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I look around. “Where’s Tommy? Isn’t he home?”

Indifferent, Erin focuses on the bottle neck.

“You know, he’s crazy about you, right?” Another question of mine stays unanswered. Instead, Erin hands me a glass of champagne.

“Welcome back, dear! Your delivery sample was brilliant. Deadly dangerous but brilliant. I’ve put it to work already.”

I frown, unexpectedly getting tuned into work mood. Bloody Erin! “But you’ll be able to neutralize it, right?”

“Of course.” I wish I had such confidence as Erin does but she proofs to be an amazing scientist. If it’s in work, than no need to worry.

“So what about Tommy?” I take a seat on the sofa, ignoring Erin’s grimace. “Come on. I haven’t been home for months. I’ve been all into useful information. Give me some slack. I need fresh gossip.”

“And my personal life is the best source for it, huh?” Erin rolls her eyes.

“Well, I only have one best friend, so…”

Erin downs her glass and pours herself another one. “What do you want to hear, Jules? Nothing has changed and nothing is going to change. Stop waiting for a miracle and helping me get my happy ending. We are not in a fairytale, Jules. It’s not coming.”

I take a sip from the glass. Erin has always been stubborn. It gets worse with each passing year. Her heart grows stale, tangling in the lies.

“So you kicked him out?” I dare to make an assumption.

Erin scoffs. “No. He just discovered some remains of his pride. So he finally gave up trying and now focuses on something far more useful – doing his job in my lab.

“He’s still working under you? You know it’s not easy for a man to work for a woman, especially these days and especially when you’re in love with that woman.”

Erin shoots daggers at me with her eyes. “God, I forgot how annoying you may be, Jules.”

“Sorry,” I chuckle. “I really missed you and our chit chats. I’ve been talking to myself mainly, inside my head. It should have some side effects.”

I burst into laughter and this time Erin joins me. It feels good to finally see her a bit relaxed. I reach out for her hand and gently squeeze it.

“You know, I want the best for you, Er. I want you to find some joy in this life. It’s already dark enough. Sorry if I was being too pushy. It’s all for love.”

Erin nods and we clink our glasses. She doesn’t like all those emotional talking. They killed it in her. If it wasn’t for Eric, I’d be the same. Now that’s my turn to down my glass and pour more as unpleasant thoughts started their invasion to my head.

They don’t give me a break, so I need to say them aloud. I hesitate for a second, making another sip for courage

“So… Why am I here? Not that I’m complaining, Er. I missed you and I was glad to catch up but we both know that’s not the reason enough. Carl wouldn’t risk it, so… Why am I here?”

Erin pours me more champagne. Not a good sign. Another not good sign. My gut feels it.

Erin finally breaks the silence, “Carl wants to see you.”

I frown. “What do you mean? He could have just summoned be to the quarters, what’s all this for…”

I think aloud as the puzzles keep coming together. “Carl wanted me here. He wanted you to talk to me, didn’t he?”

Erin doesn’t rush to confirm my hypothesis.

“And if he wanted you to talk to me… He knew that I’d take it better from you, so I guess it’s pretty bad for me, huh? Okay…”

I down the glass and start pacing around the tiny living room, bumping on the furniture.

“What is it? A mission to somewhere cold probably? Arctica? Or he transfers me to the desk job? Arctica is better. I would die at the desk job from boredom.”

“Neither,” Erin shakes her head, sympathetically looking at me.

I have a bad feeling about this already and it keeps growing. “Don’t tell me it’s diving again…”

Erin purses her lips, “No, it’s not.”

I start loosing patience, “Then what is it, Erin? For God’s sake!”

I stare at Erin as she breathes in, ready to deliver my sentence, “Marriage. To potential Other. In two weeks.”

The glass slips away from my fingers, shuttering into thousands of little pieces as does my heart. Marriage…