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?
a committed relationship. I don’t get involved with people in committed relationships. I lost control tonight and I was wrong. I may not like Christine but I won’t break up
can’t we see each other
why. Look what happened
behave, I
WILL get hurt, she replies. I’m guessing it will be me. I think it’s best if we don’t contact each other
bit drastic don’t
Goodbye Rick. All the
Viola’s number but it just
up the phone and
we did and I feel guilt for Christine. It’s damn hard to put Viola out
Viola. I get up and retrieve my phone from where I left it on the sofa. I check for messages
guilty again when I think of Viola. I should be thinking of Christine. I didn’t even send her a good night message and the first
to forget about Viola. I know there’s simply nothing I can do
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 my friend Lewis
up?” Lewis
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
that I’m getting married and I
reaction is
time I
funny,” I
You’ve made the decision to ask her to marry you and that’s a huge step for you. Have you considered though that
“What’s your point?”
through a few relationships before
think it’s too soon for me to
held up his hands. “No, no, no. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just saying that’s what most people do. Some people marry their high school sweetheart and
made you and Jenna
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