Grace didn't want Mark to leave on this note. They'd been friends for too long to ruin the friendship now.
He sighed. “I'll be okay. I just need some time, Gracie. I've loved you a long time. It'll take me time to stop."
“Mark, I wish I'd known."
“No, I wish I hadn't said anything."
“Why?"
“Then I'd be here for you instead of running away licking my wounds. Just don't call me for a few days."
“Fair enough, Mark."
He grunted.
“Mark?"
“Yeah, Gracie?"
“I'm sorry I don't feel the same."
“Not as sorry as I am."
The dial tone shouldn't have surprised her, but it did. She returned the receiver with a heavy heart.
***
Grace's phone rang again an hour later. She snatched it hoping it was Mark.
Instead a woman's voice came on the line. “I know what you are."
She'd had prank calls be
