It had been a long day. Tess thought what better way to
head on down to the club. She put on her best dress, something she had not done
in a while.
Tiff’s dad had done quite a number on her. For the first time in
her life she had learnt to avoid mirrors. She could not explain how something
that felt so right at one point would look and feel so wrong in another.
Pink dress that showed off her legs. Tiny purse that only
fit lose change and a cheap phone loaded with airtime and the driver’s number
on speed dial #1. She was all set.
It had become clear, that life owed nobody nothing – not even
this senator’s daughter.
Her father owned the world, but her pride would not
let her ask for help. Sometimes this worked against her, but a woman’s pride is
her crown. She puts it down and she would have nothing left to pick it up.
After the nasty divorce from Tiff’s dad Vic, it had become
apparent that she’d have to tread carefully. Staying Alive had become the
soundtrack to this phase of her life.
She left the house and headed to the club. It had been a
while.
Back in the day, she would have been interested in dancing and pulling
off the latest moves. But tonight, she was only interested in the noise. She
needed something to dull the noise in her own head, asking for explanations on
what happened; Whose life was she living? Is this it? Is this what she
sacrificed and worked so hard for?
The answer was yes, and just like the crown
of pride on her head, she was going to embrace the lemon she had been served.
No interest in making lemonade, tequila was more like it.
Tess is at the bar, the bar attender is easy on the eye and
she starts having ideas.
“I could pick him up.”
But she brushes it off, since she may have to come back.
And she was not one to shit where she eats – or drinks.
As her mind wandered she heard a voice she recognized ordering
a round for table 31. She looked up and there he was. Walter.
They took Linguistics together back in college. They had
not been much of friends then, but hey, here she was in a bar with a familiar
face. They made small talk before he suggested,
“Come join us. The whole team is here.”
“In a minute, let me make a quick call.”
She wasn’t up to it. Tess had gone to the club to enjoy the
noise “alone”. Save for the bar attender, she cared little about cheap talk and
laughing at stale jokes, especially from people she cared little about.
Again her mind wanders – either the bar attender is getting
hotter by the minute or the gin is sinking in. Perhaps it is time to call Bobo
the driver.
“Hey”
Before Tess could turn to respond, the hair at the back of
her neck revealed just who this person was – only one person had that effect on
her.
“(clearing her throat and turning to face him) Hey”
Daniel.
Is there a place this man did not exist! Tess thought going
to the club was a great idea of a getaway. The idea just kept proving to be
horrible by the passing minute.
Daniel wanted it all, but was not willing to give the
equivalent. He had so much influence on her peace of mind, she knew little
about turning him down.
“Umm… you.. are here,” she stuttered.
Clearly the gin had found a home.
“Walter…”
“Yes, Walter was here,” Tess was struggling to keep the
conversation going.
She tried to get up, call Bobo, but dialing a speed dial
was not as efficient as she thought it would be.
She’s getting dizzy and can feel the ground moving.
Obviously it is not – the gin is.
“I could take you home,” he says.
There was never a thought as perfect and horrible at the
same time. Tess knows this.
Before she can tell the difference, he picks her up and two
things happen. One, how strong can one man be? Two, she is never taking gin at
this club again, especially if Walter shows up.
Tess passes out and confidently lays her head on Daniel’s
chest.
She can feel the car moving, to a destination she knows
not. She passes out.
Few minutes later, they stop. Again, she knows not where.
Daniel swipes the hair off of her face, running his index
finger on her cheek. Tess is not sure what is happening or about to happen. But
she plays dead asleep, to which he opens up to stuff she had no idea even
existed.
“If only we hadn’t let go of each other then, things would
be so different now. I miss you, even if it is not what you feel. I sat there,
in the crowd, and watched you make promises to someone else. I can’t just get
over that at the blink of an eye.
“I have needs, and she satisfies them. You and I have
history, but she’s my future.”
Tears. They gave Tess away. She woke up, not knowing where
they were, but she knew she needed to get away. The gin probably knew this too,
because all of a sudden her system was as clear as the night’s sky.
The moon seemed
so huge, too much light doing little to hide her sparkly eyes, which were now
filled with salty tears.
Tess takes a deep breath, and spots a familiar trash can.
That’s her trash can. She’s in her neighbourhood.
The red bottoms and short dress were a good idea, but it
all read discomfort at this moment. She pulls them off and walks barefoot to
her door. He’s following closely in silence. Tess lets herself in and walks
straight to the kitchen.
Trying to open a chilled bottle of water, she says, “Thanks
for the ride. You can leave now.”
He walks closer to her.
“You can leave,” why can’t she open this goddamn bottle.
Daniel’s still coming closer.
“You should go, seriously.”
She turns her face away, because even though she acts like
it’s all good, she is fighting back tears that should not fall while he’s still
here.
He grabs the bottle from her hands, to which she attempts
to walk past him and into the adjacent room. Daniel gets a hold of her hand,
says nothing but comes closer still.
His towering height too close. Even though her heart is
burning from the uncalled for confession, she knows it is hard to resist him,
especially with his arms around her waist now.
He tilts his head, and lifts her face with his index
finger.
She’s shaking, she does not know why. But the statement
escapes her wet lips, “What are you doing?”
“Do you want me to stop?” Daniel says.
Silence.
