1
She sat on her couch, her sore ankle up on the cushions, deposited there by Mr. Layton Reinhardt who, perceptively, had given her a quick peck on the cheek, a wink and then waved good bye and was gone. She would have liked to have some water but didn’t feel like hopping out to the kitchen to get it. She glared at the ankle, swollen now, and gently swore at her fate, or him, or coincidence, whatever it was that had brought them together in that collision. She picked up her book and opened to where she had carefully put the bookmark last night, and tried to read but couldn’t concentrate, thinking instead of the evening and the time she’d spent with the D Man.2
She had found it to be a somewhat awkward meal, sitting in the grass in the park and eating their subs, as she tried to sort out what was happening and her feelings about it. Part of her had wanted to tell him that he’d had his chance and blown it, so just beat it. Another part of her wouldn’t allow that to happen as it wondered if he was really someone special in her life. A third part of her just couldn’t breathe. Then she heard something outside.3
"Hey, anybody home in there?"4
Why him and why now, she thought?5
"Who is it?" she shouted without moving, knowing full well who it was.6
"It’s Van the man, honey," came the boisterous reply.7
Wonderful – just what she needed when she wanted to think. "Come on in," she called, trying to disguise the note of disgust that seemed to have crept into her voice. She heard the door rattle but nothing happened.8
"Locked, babe. Open up."9
Shit. She swung her legs off the couch and stood up, flinching as the sore foot touched the floor. She gimp-hobbled toward the door, her face distorted.10
"You coming?" Another loud question.11
"Yes," she spat out. Then, "ass," more quietly. She opened the door to his goateed and broadly smiling face. He grabbed her in a hug and she yelped.12
"What’s wrong?"13
"I hurt my ankle," she said disgustedly, grimacing.14
"Awww, want me to carry you in?" he asked, the smile broadening.15
"As if you could," she snapped. "Just let loose and get out of the way." She did the reverse hobble until she was back on the couch, Van sitting in the chair across from her.16
"How are you?" he asked innocently.17
She raised her eyebrows and shook her head, sighing.18
"I mean besides the ankle," he corrected, his expression not changing.19
She could see that he obviously had a preconceived plan here and she might just as well go along to see where he was headed. It was just his style.20
"I’m good, just tired."21
"Been up to anything special lately?"22
Just get to it, she thought. Why did he have to be like this, so obscure and "clever." Ukk – she hated it.23
"Nope, don’t think so," the innocent reply.24
"I just thought you might have been out and around or something."25
The light began to glow – so that’s where he’s going. "Why do you ask, Van?"26
"Nothing in particular, just asking."27
"Van, it’s getting a little deep in here and I don’t feel like fencing with you now. Just tell me what’s up and get it over with.28
He looked at her and his face took on a serious air. "I just talked to Whit and she said she saw you in the park with some guy that she didn’t recognize."29
Slowly a smile crossed her face. This was so Van. "Yeah, she might have – so?"30
A "hurt" expression formed on his face and it looked like he might cry.31
"I thought we had something, and now you go to the park with some . . . some stranger." He threw his arms up, exasperated.32
"Well, you would think that because you never listen to anything I say, you’re so wrapped up in yourself. I’ve told you no, no, no and you just ignore it." Her beautiful face had turned very hard as she glared at him.33
"You’re a bitch sometimes, do you know that. Why are you like that?"34
"Because that’s the only time you seem to hear what I’m saying. And stop being a baby!"35
"I’m not being a baby, and I’m not the one running around on my girlfriend either." He stood up, hands on hips, haughty and hurt, eyeing her with that ‘I’ve got you now’ look that he was so good at wearing.36
She could feel her face beginning to turn red as the blood boiled it’s way through her veins. Her eyes narrowed dangerously and her voice lowered, the menacing southern drawl cutting through the electric air of the room.37
"That’s it, Van. You better leave before I do physical harm to you. I’m not your girlfriend, I never was your girlfriend – and I never WILL BE your girlfriend. You are too dense or self centered or just plain stupid to hear what I say and then understand what it means. Now get out of here." Her long and very straight finger was aimed at the door.38
"Then why did you kiss me that way night before last?" Van wasn’t about to give up, even though he had begun to tremble slightly.39
"Kiss you," she fairly screamed. "Kiss you – I kissed several people that night in case you missed it." If she had been closer and her ankle not so sore, she might have taken a swing at him. Instead she just shook from the anger she was feeling.40
"I thought we had something special, that you were my girl and I was your guy. You acted like we were a couple. At least I thought so, but I guess I was wrong." He looked away from her, at the blank wall and huffily folded his arms across his chest.41
Will he never learn, she thought? Does he never listen? Why can’t he be happy just being my friend, hanging out together some? Why? But she didn’t say any of this, realizing that it was fruitless. "We had a special friendship but that’s about to go now if you don’t shut up with this stupid talk! I’m not your girlfriend – I’m not anyone’s girlfriend. I don’t plan on being anyone’s girlfriend for a long time." As she said that, a picture of the D Man, carrying her toward her house, her arm around his neck flashed through her mind – and she trembled. Now it was her turn to look at the blank wall. "Get out," she said, much gentler now.42
Van, looked at her, wanting to ask who it was that she was with in the park but, for once, realized that now wasn’t the time. With a crisp, "Good bye," he was out the door.43
She flopped back on the couch and put her head in her hands. Why can’t this be simple? She thought. Why are men so stupid? Why am I the way I am? Exhausted, she fell back against the cushion and angrily grabbed her book. She began reading, viciously devouring page after page until she finally realized that not one word had made it’s way into her brain – the brain that just kept asking, why?44
Author notes
Another man in the lady's life. Obviously not her favorite, but a complication none-the-less.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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The poor gimpy lass... she sure does have a problem with the opposite sex, doesn't she? I like this girl more and more with every chapter! I think I identify well with her!
You have reall outdone yourself on this chapter. Throwing this latest chink in the mix was a brilliant idea. of course I would expect nothing less from you. I am so in awe of the talent that leaps from these pages. I feel very fortunate to have the chance to read you work. 
♥ Kimberly -
GIMP-HOBBLED!!! I love it, where do you come up with these things? I bet Kathy can relate somewhat to this story, at least with the ankle part...lol....so, tell me does she end up with the D-man??? I must know....TELL ME!!! HEEHEE. I guess I'll have to wait until I read more.
love you,
Sara -
Hmm waiting on next installment.. Great work.. lol now I am addicted lol.. Take Care, Catressa
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Nice twist.. makes things just a tad more complicated. What a loser, eh? Well, I'm sure you'd agree, considering you created him.. yeah.
I want more!
Becca -
Bwaaahahahahahahahaha! You could not have done this any better!! I could feel my blood boiling just reading it!
Gat -
Perfect!
Wow! Now that is a very powerful write. I am hooked through and through for I have been in this type of situation in the past and it did not turn out pritty. I only hope that your characters are able to find their way thorugh this and that Van wakes up and smells the roses as it were.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Rev. Alimae
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