Page 42 of Something New

She is going to learn to trust that I know better. That I know what she needs.

Once I have sorted out the minor issue of her new job, I decide to message her. Because I want to be fresh in her mind when things fall apart. I will step in at the perfect time and offer her a shoulder to lean on.

Me: Hello, beautiful girl. I’ve been thinking about you the entire week. You’ve been getting ready to start your new job, so I wanted you to focus on that. All I wanted to say was good luck. You are going to be brilliant.

I stare at the screen, knowing she is reading it. Her status says she is online.

There is a long pause, and she says nothing in return. Annoyances patterns along the edges of my thoughts. Is she ignoring me? Who the fuck does she think she is?

She types and I shake my head. Calm down, Tuomo. Patience, remember.

Nerissa: Thanks. I’m really excited. I hope you have been well.

Me: On Monday after work, I’d like to take you for a celebratory dinner. Or just a drink. Whatever you prefer. What time can I fetch you?

I wait, but she doesn’t come online again. My jaw clenches as I try to stop myself from sending her a second message demanding that she reply to me. I place my phone onto my bedside table. It’s fine.

She will be crawling back to me soon. Pregnant with my child and begging me to be with her.

Frustration makes it hard to fall asleep.

Annoyance about her lack of response and the constant thoughts I have about how incredible she felt against my body. I want her again. I want her every single night.

I toss and turn for an hour before I drift to sleep.

Saturday morning arrives and I wake up groaning and moody because I have a family lunch this afternoon. I can think of nothing worse than wasting a Saturday with my father. My brothers are annoying, but I can still handle them. My father is just unpleasant through and through. He is a horrible person tobe around and all I do when I’m there is sit in silence, waiting for it to be over.

But I have no choice.

So, at twelve o’clock I walk into my father’s house with a smile on my face and a bottle of wine in my hand.

“Hello. Hello.” I say, trying to sound cheerful.

“Hey bro. There are cold beers in the fridge.” Masaccio says, gesturing towards the kitchen as he walks past me out onto the patio.

“Grab one for me.” Rufino shouts from outside on the patio.

I walk into the kitchen and find my sister, Dalila, making a salad.

“Hi, Tuo. There are cold beers in the fridge.”

“Hi, D. Where’s your man?” I ask, opening the fridge door and scanning the shelves.

“Nevio is out on the patio I think - getting the coals going for the meat. We’re having steak.”

“Sounds amazing. I’ll grab a few beers and go check on them out there.”

“Please make sure they don’t burn the food this time.” She calls out to me as I leave the kitchen with a few beers in my hand.

I roll my eyes. Since when does anyone care what I have to say about the food. If she wants the steak done a certain way, she can come out here and argue with them herself. I prefer to stay out of it all as much as possible.

Around the barbecue my brothers and Nevio are chatting and laughing at each other’s stories. They all seem to be relaxed and enjoying themselves. Maybe it’s just me, but I never belong here.

“Who wants a beer?” I ask, walking towards them, holding the beers up in the air.

“Me, thanks man.” Nevio says as he closes the grill and nods with satisfaction at whatever he has done inside there.

Celso slaps me on the back. “Late as usual.” He taunts.

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