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THE NIGHT WAS GENTLE, a light sprinkle coating the streetlamps and benches. The rain reflected Simon Cohen's mood--cold and dreary. The full moon hung high above him and his sweetheart's heads, casting a light glow onto the River Thames. Mary, the girl Simon was not-so-casually stepping out with, looked like a vision in the cool late-evening. Simon almost reconsidered what he was about to do.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Mary Clark asked softly, turning to Simon with that all familiar gleam in her eye. Simon nodded, forcing a smile to his face. "Not as beautiful as you."
Mary blushed, the moon lighting up her face. Simon reached for Mary's hand, gently lacing their fingers together. Simon was sure Mary was the only person he wanted to be with. He wanted to make her his. He wanted to change her last name, build a family, a life with her.
But unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be.
There was one problem that the both of them couldn't conquer with just a talk and a few kisses. A problem that seemed so little but was so big.
A problem that got all of Mary's friends and family to shun her, practically making her a ghost in her own life.
The problem, seeming so miniscule, was the fact that Simon was Jewish. Mary had not cared for such a thing, but it seemed to be a big deal to her family. Mary's mother and father refused to meet Simon after finding out he was Jewish, and Mary's friends almost immediately stopped talking to her. Simon could see it was killing her, and that's why he was going to do what he was doing tonight.
"Mary," Simon started, turning to his love. "You know I love you, right?"
A gleam came to Mary's eyes, and Simon's heart sunk. She must've thought he was proposing.
"I know, Simon," She replied, a pearly white smile crossing her face. "I love you too."
Simon's heart couldn't take it. He loved Mary, but he knew he had to do what's best for her. "Mary, I--"
Mary leaned up and gently kissed Simon, the shock causing his to stumble a little. Simon kissed her back, knowing it could possibly be the last time he did so. His mind drifted to the first time they'd kissed, and he couldn't stop the tears from flowing down his face.
Mary pulled back, eyes widened in concern. "My dear, what's happened? What's wrong?"
Simon took a deep breath, looking down at Mary as she gently wiped his face with the pads of her thumbs. He gently took her hands, holding them tight.
"Mary, I... I think we should stop seeing each other."
At that moment, Simon almost instantly regretted saying such words. It was what was best for the both of them, he kept telling himself. He should've known they weren't meant to be. They came from two different worlds--one of kindness and trust, another of cruelty and discrimination.
Simon wished he could go back, back to when they'd first met. When it all seemed simple.
~ ~ ~
SIMON NEVER PAYED ANY mind towards mystery novels. He was more of the classic type, reading books like "War and Peace," or "Little Women." Mystery always seemed uninteresting to him.
Until he saw her.
She was a beautiful young lady, with long, slightly curled blonde hair and soft blue eyes. The gentle white dress that went just below her knees complimented those perfect irises. She was on her tip toes, reaching as high as she could in her polished Mary-Janes. Simon's heart was beating fast, and he felt the heat rise to his face. The tall brunet rushed to the shorter blonde, easily reaching for the book she wanted and handing it to her.
"Oh!" She exclaimed, smiling softly. "Thank you!"
"No problem," Simon said, but it came out as more of a whisper. Simon cleared his throat and tried again. "No problem. Uh-I'm Simon. Cohen."
The young woman smiled. "Nice to meet you, Simon. I'm Mary. Mary Clark."
Your last name'd be better as Cohen, Simon thought, heart swelling at the potential future.
"Do you like mystery books?" Mary asked, snapping Simon out of the nice fantasy. Truly, he didn't enjoy such a genre, but he couldn't just say that. The love of his life was on the line!
"Oh--uhm, yes! Yes, I do!"
Mary brightened, that beautiful smile returning to her features. "Really? Cool! What's your favorite?"
If Simon wasn't sweating before, he was definitely sweating now. His eyes darted to the first book he could find.
"The Golden Spiders."
"That's a good one!" Mary exclaimed, and a light blush suddenly coated her freckled cheeks. "Would you...maybe want to talk about it over coffee some time?"
Simon brightened, eyes shining behind his glasses. "Yeah--yeah, sure! Of course!"
"Great! I'll write down my number."
Even though he was freshly out of school, Simon had some homework--and this time, he might actually enjoy it.
~ ~ ~
SIMON REACHED OUT FOR Mary, but she flinched away from his touch. Simon's eyes widened, and he immediately retracted his hand. "Mary, I-"
"No, Simon!" Mary exclaimed, tears streaming down her face. "I don't...I don't understand. You told me you loved me, I know you love me, I--"
"And that's why I'm doing this, sweetheart," Simon whispered. the rain was getting heavier, almost completely soaking the doomed lovers. "I can't bear to see you like this anymore. I know you miss your family, Mary."
Mary looked down, her tears still paving tracks of mascara down her cheeks. she wiped her face, and the lump in Simon's throat grew with every passing second. He reached out to Mary again, gently touching her face. This time, Mary didn't pull away. Simon tilted Mary's face towards him, taking a long look at who he knew was his true love.
"I'm doing this because I love you," Simon whispered, tucking a damp lock of hair behind Mary's ear. The sound of rain almost swallowing his words. "No matter how much I love spending time with you, how much I love waking up next to you each morning, I can't be in between your relationship with your family."
Mary looked up at Simon, her blue eyes not quite meeting his. "Don't leave me, Simon," she whispered. "Please."
Simon shook his head. He was doing the right thing. He was sure of it.
"I love you, Mary. Don't ever forget that."
"I love you too, Simon. I won't forget you."