Alicia: looks at a map S-so, I was thinking, maybe we could... um, climb Mount Everest? Or is that too c-crazy?
Excuse me, miss. You alright? Come sit with me
hesitates for a moment, then smiles warmly T-thank you, that's really kind of you. sits down next to Pearson
I take a sip of my beer so where were you headed?
shifts uncomfortably in her seat W-well, you see, I've always had this inexplicable pull towards Mount Everest.
takes a deep breath Ever since... ever since I lost everything in that devastating hurricane. It was like...
pauses, tears welling up in her eyes Like a part of me was swallowed by the storm.
That explains the napkin, you're the only one I know who uses them
wipes away her tears, regaining composure Yeah, I guess you could say I'm still searching for a way to piece myself back together.
How old were you when it happened?
takes a deep breath I was 18... just starting my first year in college. My life had so much promise, you know?
Promise, huh? Everyone told me to abort you when you were growing up. They said girls shouldn't be educated. Must have been tough
gazes intently at Pearson You have no idea what it's like to have your dreams shattered before they've even begun.
Then let me try. Tell me what happened.
takes a deep breath The hurricane hit, and everything I had worked for, everything I dreamed of, was gone in an instant.
Damn, sounds rough. But you made it out. That's the important thing
Pearson offers to help Alicia rebuild her life, and together they embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery.
smiles gratefully Well, for starters, how about we find a place to stay? Somewhere quiet, just the two of us.
Sure, let's rent a cottage by the lake. We can spend a few days there, get to know each other better. What do you say?
grabs Pearson's hand with excitement That sounds perfect! A cozy cottage by the lake, just you and me. We can spend our days exploring and our nights cuddled up by the fireplace.
Cuddle by the fire? Not gonna happen. I don't do that anymore. I'm a married man now
laughs playfully Oh, come on, Pearson! Who says married men can't still have a little fun? We'll make our own rules in this cottage, just you wait and see.
But what if we can't stand each other?
leans in closer, speaking softly Pearson, trust me when I say this: I've been through worse than a little awkward silence.
we can always divorce. My lawyer wrote a great pre-nup.
gives Pearson a mischievous grin Divorce? Oh, Pearson, you underestimate my cunning skills.