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.Elizabeth plops down on the love seat.My eyes are starting toadjust to the light, and I see her glare at me. I ve about had it with you,Claire.I thought you were getting your shit together, but you re as badnow as you ve ever been. Fire flashes behind my friend s eyes.Timefor another sermon. I thought if you went out with Rebecca, you mightfeel better. She s making it worse. I hadn t thought of it before, but it mightbe true.As long as there s no one in my life, I m not giving up.Elizabeth grunts and rolls her eyes. Rebecca seems great.Youshould give it a chance.You don t have to fall in love, and it won t hurtyou to have some fun.I see the compassion on Elizabeth's face.For an instant, I want tokiss her again, to feel her near me, but I force the desire away.I can thave her.She has a husband and a family I adore.I cinch my pajama topto my chest. The women I want, I can t have.The women I can have, Idon t want.She laughs out loud. Ain t that the truth? Fly By is so in love withyou she can t see straight.All you d have to do is give her a sign, andshe d be right here, but you won t do it.Last week, you wantedRebecca.But now that you might have a chance with her, you rechickening out. I am not. I look away, knowing she s right. And as for Fly By,we both know why that would never work out. Listen, I don t care if you date Rebecca, or Fly, or anyone else.Don t date anyone if you don t want to, but whatever you do, getyourself out of this funk.It s been going on way too long. Elizabethruns her hand through her hair, and it falls back into place perfectly. Throw on some clothes and come over.I m making pork chops fordinner. Thanks, but I m not up for it right now. I stretch out full-lengthon the sofa and fold my arms across my chest. Well, get up for it.You look like a corpse lying there like that.She gets up from the love seat, grabs my arm, and drags me down the132hall to the bedroom.She opens the closet door and prods my ribs till I goin. Find something comfortable.The kids might want to take you on ina wrestling match.Knowing I don t have a choice, I drag my hand along the hangersand snag a flannel shirt and a pair of jeans that have seen better days. If you re not there in ten minutes, I m coming back. Elizabethscowls at me as she leaves.A few seconds later, I hear the front dooropen, then close behind her.When the doorbell rings, I hop down the hall, tugging on a pair ofrag socks as I go. You said ten minutes, I yell.I open the door, andRebecca is standing there, holding a Styrofoam cup. Chicken soup.Good for what ails you.She s still wearing that red dress from lunch, and I can t helplooking her up and down, catching a glimpse of her thigh when a gust ofwind flips at her skirt.Nice view. An angel of mercy. I motion her in, and she hands me the cup.Rebecca lingers in the hall, teasing Jitterbug with baby talk. Hellothere.Aren t you a pretty girl? Jitterbug does a quick drop and roll andexposes her pink belly.I quickly set the cup of soup in the kitchen andreturn, while Rebecca kneels and scratches the dog s stomach, sendingJitterbug into a doggie trance. That s Jitterbug, resident pest. She s adorable.From this angle, I get a nice glimpse of Rebecca s cleavage.A briefsmile crosses my lips.I m not sure what to do, but I give in to the lingering ache in mychest and step toward her. Can I have a hug?Rebecca stands up and steps out of her heels, and we re face-to-face.There s a hint of worry in her eyes. Come here, you.I could use ahug myself. She opens her arms, and we wrap around each other.I snuggle into her shoulder. You ve had a bad day, too? The worst.I ve got to get some reliable help.I can t keep workinglike this.I don t want to let go, but I pull back and lead her to the couch. Come in.Sit for a minute. I don t have time [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]