Page 8 of David's Chase

Have I done something wrong?

‘Maybe that’s why he needs this arrangement,’the voice in my head offers as if I needed her opinion.

‘What the fuck are you talking about?’

‘Money keeps the women––and now you––out of his real life. He can’t commit to anyone because he has nothing to offer. He’s a busy man who travels a lot. He runs a business empire. Think about that. Things were not that different when he met Rain.’

This is the most that she’s talked to me in one breath.

And she continues.

‘It’s in her book,’she says as if I needed the reminder.‘She didn’t describe it as such, but you can figure it out.’

‘I know. I know,’I say, flabbergasted.‘But he was married then.’

‘Do you want him married now? To someone other than yourself?’

‘No need to be nasty. That was a cheap shot.’

‘Sorry.’

She’s not sorry.

And she drones on.

“If I were you, I’d be more concerned with who he’s paying to satisfy his needs when you’re not around.’

‘I said no cheap shots.’

‘It’s the reality, babe.’

She crashes back into an imaginary rocking chair and starts filing her nails, seemingly fascinated with the process.

‘We have an understanding.’I argue.

‘Sure. How do you know he’s keeping his end of the deal?’

Yeah, how?

I’m assuming he’ll honor his word.

‘Mm-hmm. Honor his word. As if that ever works with a man like him.’

‘Stop eavesdropping.’

She puts the nail file to the side.

‘All I’m doing is trying to keep you humble. You need to adjust your expectations so you don’t get hurt.’

“Go away,” I say a little too loud, quickly becoming aware that I’m alone in the room, the walls are thin, and it doesn’t look good to talk to myself after almost making the building collapse from so much wall banging last night.

‘Fine, you’re on your own,’she says.‘And by the way, the car is yours. And he’s gone. Anyone can tell.’

With that, she turns her little perky butt to me and vanishes into the nooks of my memory.

The car. The fucking car. I clutch the keys and my phone, scoop up my bottle of water, and after making sure none of my belongings are misplaced and left in the room, I head to the door.

My stare roves over the parking lot as I step outside.

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