Bellman Nicole 12/10/06 Adv. Composition Passing Judgement She sits, her cape dangling over her crossed arms, wrapped about her in a hug that she gets from no one else. Her hair, which is was recently dyed, was only done for herself. She thought about it as she sat alone at the bar last night. Her Christmas tree only made her feel lonely as she sat in the big leather chair that used to be his. She went to their old bar, her scotch on the rocks stayed half empty but she couldn't keep track of time. Her voicemail still has both of their voices but she hasn't figured out how to bring herself to re record it. She walks to work hoping to pass his store on the way or stop at the same news stand, but he bought his own car. She set her own alarm since she did not have his warn hand to wake her but it helps her realize that she regrets the changes she has made. She picks up her phone and the raspy ness in her voice fades to a sexy whisper as she tries to win him back, but he's already home and the presents are under the tree. Her cheeks were glowing as she held in the news. The ring was upside down on her left ring finger, but thank god no one had noticed it yet. He held her hand as she concealed her smile. The woman across the room lit a cigarette to conceal her smile as she caught his wink. She told him last night as she dressed in his office that he was too good for the want-to-be mother of four. The Bar Mitzvah, as they had decided, would be a great place to announce their engagement. Both families would be together to celebrate, and as cocktails were passed around she would find a spoon to tap his glass, and slowly spin the ring with ease, as if she had been practicing years. for But she caught his wink in mid-air and watched it collide with the puff of smoke across the room and used a spade, not to tap his glass, but to pierce his heart the way hers would remain. Unhealed for years. Walking alone through the city she was transparent, and it was evident she wished it to remain that way for some time to come as she dialed home to her parents and stopped at the deli. The men, speaking a European language, folded the New York Times into perfect rectangles and set them on their lap as their discussion heightened. One man to another, "Geschft verlangsamt fr uns. Das Jahr ist zu kurz gewesen." ..."Business is slowing for us," he said, "This year has been too short." And the other man responded with a mere nod of the head, not wanting to reveal too much. His friend spoke again of business, revealing failed tactics and revised plans while the other man sat, taking mental notes and sucking in this information like a leach. He would bring it home, to his boss, and tell him the details in a language from far away and the two of them would keep this secret between themselves as the other businesses failed. The deep voice of the talkative man grew raspy as he talked, and the silent man slowly backed out of the one-sided conversation. Wiping his brow the talkative man whispered under his breath, "Und die Konkurrenz setzt, mein Freund fort. Nicht denkt, dass ich Ihnen so einen leichten Ausweg gegeben htte. Hinterfhrung, der einzige wahre Freund."..."And the competition continues, my friend. Do not think I would have given you such an easy way out. Deceit, the only true friend."