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
why can’t we
Look what
behave,
WILL get hurt, she replies. I’m guessing it will be me. I think it’s best if we don’t contact each
bit drastic don’t
Rick. All the best
Viola’s number but
a message. Pick up the phone and
of what we did and I feel guilt for Christine. It’s damn hard to put Viola out of mind now but I finally manage to do it and drift off
and retrieve my phone from where I left it on the sofa. I check for messages from Viola but there aren’t any. I
of Christine. I didn’t even send her a good night message and the first thing I’m doing this morning is
there’s simply nothing I can
out of my mind for once
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 and he agrees to meet for lunch at a sports
up?” Lewis asks.
leaned on him for help but now I do. We went
that I’m getting married and I tell him about
reaction
really should see each other more often,” he jokes. Next time
funny,” I
decision to ask her to marry you and that’s a huge step for you.
“What’s your point?”
through a few relationships
think it’s too soon for
no. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just saying that’s what most people do. Some people marry their
“What made you
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