IRREVERSIBLE: YOU CAN DO ANYTHING

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.