RICK
I look at Viola on the other side of the room.
“What happened?” I ask.
“I can’t… we can’t do this. Please go,” she says. Then, as if realizing for the first time that she’s topless, she covers herself with her arm and moves back to the sofa where she snags her top off the floor and pulls it over her head. I watch her as she lifts her hands over her head to put her top on. The movement lifts her breasts and accentuates them and then she’s finished.
“Please go,” she says again.
Viola, c’mon. Let’s talk…”
“Get out!” she shouts.
I get up and make my way to the entrance hall. I open the door and let myself out. She follows me at a distance still covering her breasts even though she’s wearing her top again. I look back at her once I’m outside the apartment.
“Let’s just talk,” I say in a calm voice.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Viola says and closes the door in my face. I stand there for a few moments feeling anger and frustration. I want to kick the damn door down but I finally turn and head for the elevator lobby. I hope against hope that she’ll come running after me but when I step into the elevator and she doesn’t come running after me I know it’s not going to happen.
I exit the building downstairs and flag a cab. When it arrives, I give the driver my address and head home.
More than ever, I can’t get Viola out of my mind. I remember everything about our time in her apartment. What the hell happened, I wonder?
This time however she sends me a message after I’ve arrived home.
I’m sorry about this evening. I was wrong.
It’s okay, I reply.
I’m sorry. I can’t see you again.
Why?
committed relationships. I lost control tonight and I was wrong. I may not
we
why. Look what happened tonight.
behave,
will be me. I think it’s best if we don’t contact each other
a bit drastic
Rick. All the best with
dial Viola’s number but it
send a message. Pick up the phone and talk to me.
bed. I think again of what we did and I feel guilt for Christine. It’s damn hard to put Viola
phone from where I left it on the sofa. I check for messages from Viola but there aren’t any. I have to
even send her a good night message and the first thing I’m doing this
forget about Viola. I know there’s simply nothing I can do about it. She’s
myself to put her out of my mind for
and move on. Get married and put this behind you, I tell myself. It’s not as easy as that though and by late morning I decide I need to talk to someone. I contact
Lewis asks.
way. I’ve never leaned on him for help but now I do. We went to law school together but after we graduated he decided he didn’t want to fight other peoples battles and
him that I’m getting married and I tell him about
reaction
each other more often,” he jokes. Next time I see you, you’ll be telling
funny,” I say
the decision to ask her to marry you and that’s a huge step for you. Have you considered though that this is your first serious relationship and
“What’s your point?”
normally people go through a few relationships before
think it’s too soon
saying that’s what most people do. Some people marry their high
“What made you and Jenna decide to
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