Chapter three: An unfortunate miracle

I forced my eyes open, late the next afternoon, and shuffled into my little kitchen. I automatically went through the process of starting the coffee pot and pulled out a pan. I was going to treat myself to a nice breakfast this morning. 1

"Comfort food makes everything better." I promised myself aloud, as I pulled out a carton of eggs. They sizzled, and popped as I broke them open and they hit the heated metal. 2

I dropped a couple slices of bread in the toaster. I rapped my finger impatiently on the counter. The clock ticked loudly, echoing through my head. It made me think of a teacher snapping a ruler on a desk expectantly. I felt like I should be doing something, but I didn't know what.3

The toast popped up, and I scooped up my eggs. I quickly poured my coffee. I drank it black, for it seemed that nothing sweet would fit well with me this morning. I savored the way it burned my mouth and warmed up my chilled insides a little. I was so cold, I feared that I would never be warm again.4

I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. "Calm down, it's over." I whispered.5

The phones ring blared in my ears, causing me to knock over my coffee mug, spilling it all over my arm. I screamed in shock.6

"God damn it!" I cried, jumping up to grab a dishtowel and quickly wiped down my arm.7

I practically leaped for the phone, and brought it to my ear. "Hello?" I breathed into it.8

"Hey, were did you and that guy go last night?" Marcy chirped cheerfully from the other line.9

"That guy? I thought you knew who he was." I felt my stomach churn at the thought of him. I hadn't decided if I was going to take any legal action, but if she didn't know him, I didn't have much to go on. His face was blurred in my mind.10

"No, I had just met him that night. He kept hitting on me, so I gave him to you. You know how serious I am with Billy. He was pretty cute, huh?"11

"I don't really want to talk about it." I mumbled. It took all of my will power not to slam down the receiver. Her mindless chatter made me feeling like screaming, blurting out what happened with that prize she hooked me up with. 12

The thing with Marcy is she isn't a real friend. She only hangs out with those who are in the "the scene". With people who stayed out all weekend in different raves and dance clubs. She had endless strings of lovers, in spite of her claim to be going steady with Billy. If I stopped clubbing with her, I would never hear from her again.13

"Was he that bad?" she giggled. "Well, I promise I'll find you a better one next weekend. Lot's of fish in the sea, am I right?"14

"Um, I dunno. I think I'm going to stay home next weekend. I think all this going non stop is starting to catch up with me. Maybe in a couple weeks." I sighed.15

"Oh.... anyways... I have to go. I've got a busy day ahead of me you know. I'll call you later." she spoke, her tone had suddenly taken on a cool tone.16

"Yeah, alright. I guess I'll talk to you then." I replied wistfully.17

I heard the sharp click as she hung up. The beep of the open line beat in my ear. The sound of it made me feel alone. I hung up, silencing it.18

I took a deep breath and finished cleaning up the spilled coffee and threw out my now cold eggs and toast. I dropped the dishes into the sink, slamming them down a bit harder then necessary, just trying to block out the sound of the clock.19

I turned on the radio, and the classical station that I kept it tuned on was sang by the little black speaker. I could feel the blood rush to my feet. Chopin's nocturne. I had heard it at some point the night before, I knew. It sounded sickeningly sweet in my ears. 20

Quickly I changed the station, and settled on a harsh metal station. I didn't know the name of the artist, and it was just as well. It sounded trashy to me anyways. Yet it fit my mood.21

I sighed. It was time to get ready for work. I knew it was going to be hard, but I was going to have to get back to my life. The worst part was over. The hardest part. At least I thought so.