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?
with people in committed relationships. I lost control tonight and I was wrong. I may not like Christine but I won’t break up even my worst enemy’s
we
why. Look what
can behave,
get hurt, she replies. I’m guessing it will be me. I think it’s best if we don’t contact
bit drastic don’t you
Goodbye Rick. All the best with
dial Viola’s number but it just
the phone and
think again 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
get up and retrieve my phone from where I left it on the sofa. I check for messages from
I should be thinking of Christine. I didn’t even send her a good night message and the first thing I’m doing this morning is looking for messages from
forget about Viola. I know there’s simply nothing I can do about it. She’s made her
tell myself to put her out of my mind for once and for
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 and he agrees to meet for lunch at a sports bar where we always go to watch our favorite teams
Lewis asks.
leaned on him for help but now I do. We went to law school together but
I’m getting married
reaction is
Next time I see you, you’ll be telling me your first baby
funny,” I say
made 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?”
through a few relationships before they decide to
it’s too soon for me
people do. Some people marry their high school sweetheart and stay together for all their lives. Everybody’s different.
you and Jenna decide to get
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