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?
get involved with people in committed relationships. I lost control tonight and I was wrong. I
why can’t we see
know why. Look
behave,
WILL get hurt, she replies. I’m guessing it will be me. I think it’s best
drastic don’t you
Rick. All the best with
number
message. Pick up the
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
get up and retrieve my phone from where I left it on the sofa. I check for messages
I think of Viola. I should be thinking of Christine. I didn’t even send her a good night message and the first thing I’m doing
I know there’s simply nothing I can do
to put her out of my mind for once and for
that though and by late morning I decide I need to talk to someone. I contact my friend Lewis and he
up?” Lewis asks.
always helpful that way. I’ve never leaned on him for help but now I do. We went to law school
tell him that I’m getting married and I
first reaction is
see each other more often,” he jokes. Next time I see you, you’ll be
funny,” I
you should stick with Christine. You’ve 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
“What’s your point?”
go through a few relationships before they
it’s too soon for me
marry their high school sweetheart and stay together for all their lives. Everybody’s different. I’m
say. “What made you and
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