as the season changes

Char felt a slight comfort in knowing that Amira and Ste were together now. Perhaps they were only besties, she wouldn't pry into their relationship. Besides, everything felt so smooth lately at work. No bickering. Even with little mishaps, Ste wasn't in a tizzy with Diago. So all felt so quaint now as summer rolled on, leaving them all a bit dizzy and feverish with a heatwave about.

However, she couldn't say the same about Sal and Micha. Char wasn't sure what happened, but Micha was off playing in a band again. He was on the road these days, perhaps a roadie than anything else.

"We, we have a lot to think about," Sal was mute on the subject. She didn't want to say things were over, but Char could sense it.

She felt bad for Sal, but at least she had her parents to help with her toddler and Sal was going to classes at the Uni. Although, Sal was beginning to doubt she was cut out for academic.

"I need to learn something new, so I can be on my own," Sal told Char over iced coffee at the Downtown bakery.

"Maybe you need to find something at the metro college." Char knew there were programs that could help people find jobs, some were high tech, while other fields were for more everyday jobs.

Sal nodded as if she would think about it, but finally, Sal spoke the truth about Micha. "He knows."

Char wasn't sure if she really wanted to know what Sal was telling her.

"I know, it's me. It's not him. It's all my fault." Sal said she'd had some stomach issues and she hadn't really slept since he'd left. "I've hurt him." She was certain there was no US, ever again. "It's just, I know it would have never worked out with J...he doesn't like kids."

Char knew she was talking about Jared, even if she wouldn't say his name. "But..you have to tell him, he has a daughter."

Char wish she hadn't said it since it was easier said than done.

"Look, I'll go with you, if you want to tell him." It was all Char could think to do. Maybe nothing would come of it. She knew Jared was the selfish start. After all, she'd spent a good part of her young adult life dating him, even engaged to him. It felt like another life now. She was with Diago and he was her present and future.

"If anything, maybe you'll sleep better." Char thought Micha needed time to realize how he really felt about Sal and the baby. There might be a chance he'd come around, but she could see Sal's world was crumbling and she might not wait for Micha to change his mind.