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?
lost control tonight
we see each other
know why. Look what happened tonight.
behave,
guessing it will be me. I think it’s best
bit drastic
the best
Viola’s number but it
up the phone and
drop my phone on the sofa in frustration. I take a shower and get into bed. I think again of what we did and I feel guilt for Christine. It’s damn hard to put Viola out of mind now
thing on my mind is Viola. I get up and retrieve my phone from where I left it on the sofa. I check for messages from Viola but there
I think of Viola. I should be thinking of Christine. I didn’t even send her a good night message
about Viola. I know there’s simply nothing I can do about it. She’s made her decision.
put her out of my mind for once and
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
up?” Lewis asks.
estate agent. He’s married with two kids and he has a knack of seeing things from a different perspective. He’s always helpful that way. I’ve never leaned on him for help but now I do. We went to law school together
tell him that I’m getting married
reaction
married? We really should see each other more often,” he jokes. Next time I see you, you’ll be telling me your first baby is on the
funny,” I say
Christine. You’ve made the decision to ask her to marry you and that’s a huge step for you. Have you
“What’s your point?”
normally people go through a few relationships before they decide to get
too soon for
saying that’s what most people do. Some people marry their high school sweetheart and stay together for all their
made you and Jenna decide to get
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