Bad Timing

by hercat

ATF Universe

Summary: An old friend visits

Notes: I’m trying to do a series of introspective pieces about the seven, each from their point of view. This is the second (Playing the Game with Nathan was the first). I hope you enjoy. I love to hear from you, and usually respond.

June 22, 2002

The song Bad Timing is ©1993,1999 Blue Rodeo Productions

A woman sitting in an all night diner deep in the heart of Denver sipped her coffee and watched the clock. It was just passing midnight now, and hadn’t been much before that when she’d phoned. It had seemed ridiculous to be so close and not call him. Besides, she really needed to talk. She remarked to herself once again that there was an art to listening, a rare one. That he’d had it in spades was one of the things that had attracted her to him. Water under a very burnt bridge now.

Hey it's me what a big surprise
Calling you up from a restaurant
Around the bend
I just got in from way up North
I'm aching tired now
And I could use a friend
I might be a fool
To think that you do
Want to see me again

She smiled as he entered the diner. He gave her that warming grin of his and moved to the table. She already had a coffee waiting there for him. She’d always been funny about things like that. Was that one of the things that attracted him to her? She wondered.

"Elisa"

"It’s good to see you again." Elisa hardly ever used names, a personal quirk of hers. Names have power, a power she tried not to invoke. "Sorry about not calling, you know me and phone numbers." A pause as he mixed his coffee, not looking at her. A stall tactic. They both knew he took it black. "I knew you would have done better. I’m sorry for hauling you out here, but I needed to talk."

"For a friend it’s no trouble Elise."

The sentiment was pure and she thanked him the only way she could.

"Thank you Josiah."

I know It's been awhile since I talked to you
Nothing wrong
Just nothing ever goes as planned
Many times I thought I'd call
I didn't have your number in my hand
I know it's true
You'd never do
The same thing to me

They chatted for a few minutes on inconsequential subjects before Elisa sighted and came to the point. "I got the contract I wanted. Fifteen years Josiah. I doubt I’ll be back before it’s up. It feels like a whole new life starting." She laughed a little. "like the second stage of a rocket launching. A rather fitting analogy don’t you think?"

"Or a snake shedding it’s skin"

"Snakes were always more your side of the thing than mine."

"So you called me out here at midnight to tell me a relationship that ended almost a decade ago is over? Perhaps a rocket is more appropriate. There was certainly a great deal of crashing and burning going on."

I never meant to make you cry
And though I know I shouldn't call
It just reminds us of the cost
Of everything we've lost
Bad timing that's all

Maybe soon there'll come a day
When no more tears will fall
If we each forgive a little bit
And we both look back on it
As just bad timing that's all

"No! I mean… I guess I just wanted to say goodbye. I mean, you’ve always been such a big part of my life…"

"My apologies sister. I still have a great deal of anger over what happened." At her worried look he explained. "Not with you, not with anyone really. Circumstance. It should have worked. Seemed so clear at the time."

We used to have so many plans
Something always seemed to turn out wrong
I never could catch up to you
Moving on and doing what you've done
I don't know why
The harder I try
The harder it comes

"Looking back it never would have. Family on one side, a career on the other. Not things either of us was willing to give up. 20/20 hindsight." They reached across the table at the same time and joined hands. They both smiled at the gesture, too long overdue. Elise stood, and Josiah joined her.

"Go in peace my sister."

"My door is always open my brother." She laughed. "Even if for the next few years it will be rather difficult to reach."

Josiah leaned over the table and gently placed a kiss on her cheek.

"I’ll e-mail." They said goodbye, and he turned and left her to her coffee. Her coffee and her first love, the stars.

Maybe soon there'll come a day
When no more tears will fall
If we each forgive a little bit
When we both look back on it
Just bad timing that's all

The End

Comments to: hercat@hotmail.com

Hey it's me what a big surprise Calling you up from a restaurant Around the bend I just got in from way up North I'm aching tired now And I could use a friend I might be a fool To think that you do Want to see me again It's been awhile since I talked to you Nothing wrong Just nothing ever goes as planned Many times I thought I'd call I didn't have your number in my hand I know it's true You'd never do The same thing to me I never meant to make you cry And though I know I shouldn't call It just reminds us of the cost Of everything we've lost Bad timing that's all Maybe soon there'll come a day When no more tears will fall If we each forgive a little bit And we both look back on it As just bad timing that's all We used to have so many plans Something always seemed to turn out wrong I never could catch up to you Moving on and doing what you've done I don't know why The harder I try The harder it comes I never meant to make you cry And though I know I shouldn't call It just reminds us of the cost Of everything we've lost Bad timing that's all Maybe soon there'll come a day When no more tears will fall If we each forgive a little bit When we both look back on it Just bad timing that's all ©1993,1999 Blue Rodeo Productions