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Vincent did not like the idea of breaking up with someone; he disliked the idea of hurting someone's feelings even more. Still, it was neccessary, spawn of greed though he was. He was much too humble to believe he deserved to have two girlfriends--and he knew in his heart that Ebony deserved someone who would focus entirely on her. He decided to call her, maybe invite her to go to lunch. He dialed her number with unexpected ease. He had memorized her number without realizing it.

He hoped this would turn out well. He did love Ebony--but in a friendly way. He wanted her to be happy; he couldn't imagine her not being happy. What if he made her sad? What if she cried? What if she didn't want to be friends anymore? No, he couldn't see Ebony saying she didn't want to be friends--he didn't think she had a mean bone in her body.

"Hello? It's Vinny. Is Ebby there?"

Vincent was rather embarassed. He had assumed it would be Ebony's home number. The thought of her having a cell phone hadn't even come to mind. "Would you like to hang out in the park?" he asked. "We could do something else if you like--like see a movie or something," he added quickly. He didn't want to sound lame by suggesting a date at the park.

"I was thinking we could hang out, and you know, talk?" Ugh. Self-conciousness was taking over. Surely she would laugh at him? "Not on the phone, I mean--" he added. "We could get something to eat afterwards." It had been easier when Ebony had been his babysitter, honestly.

"Alright, I'll see you in an hour," Vincent said, relieved that he had time to prepare. He had spent time planning what he was going to do; he was going to ask her if she thought this was working out. But what would he say? What if she thought it was? What would he do then?

Gah. Romantic lives were complicated. Maybe it was a sign that he needed to stop trying so hard--or maybe it was telling him that he needed to try harder.

Vincent seemed a bit flustered; clearly he hadn't expected Ebony to grow so much in what seemed like so little time. "It's good to see you too," he said. Well, this was awkward. She wasn't the teenager he'd been dating. "You've grown too," he observed, returning the hug.

"How've you been?"

"Oh, that's good," Vinny said with a smile. "It's kind of funny how growing tends to happen just at the right time." It was also funny how having a girlfriend who was taller than you made one feel. He glanced around, intentionally drawing the conversation out.

"I've been good. Babysitting more often. I have a younger brother now, his name's Kaleb."

He was caught in a trap, and he knew it. "Well, um... See... I wanted to talk about... ...I forgot what I was going to say." Awkward and failed attempt at escaping. He sighed, and decided to go with the more truthful route. "I was just thinking... Do you think this is working out? I mean, us. You know, dating?"

Vinny's eyes widened in disbelief. "You don't?" he repeated, and without realizing it, gave a relieved smile. "Why not? I mean... Me too." It seemed he was having an easier time talking now; he was looking at her, at least.

Vincent felt as if he shouldn't have asked the question at all. A pang of guilt ran through him. He hadn't been a very good boyfriend after-all; not that he had expected to be. Not with Elisabetta having distracted him. "I'm sorry," he said, looking down at his feet. "I was interested at first, really... I've just... I didn't know I was supposed to--" he cut himself off and sighed.

"You're right though. I should have called more; we should have hung out more..." Guiltily he thought he had spent more time with Lissy than he had Ebby. "I'm sorry."