His Wife

Chapter 43

"Don't you think you've had enough,"  Myra said and snatched the bottle of Rum Bar from the counter and replaced it on the shelf behind the bar. It might have sounded like a question but it was a clear statement.

"Give me a fucking break," I said none too gently as I stared at my mother who glared at me. My expressive eyes were dark rimmed by smudge mascara and bloodshot from too much liquor along with my lack of sleep.

They held a pain that tugged at Myra's heart but she stood her ground. The days were long gone when mother dearest tucked an ounce of care around me. I never allowed myself to admit I was the cause for it.

"What mother?" I asked when a frown etched itself between her neatly arched brows. I downed the rum and Pepsi, mostly rum, in one long gulp just to rile her some more.

"Do you think this is the time to showcase your sorely aggravating behavior?!" the older woman snapped eyes ablaze with dark brown disdain.

With a resounding echo of glass hitting the marbled countertop I frowned and slurred, "When it comes to me mother nothing is ever right," I made to rise from the stool but my intoxication propelled me into the other bar stool beside me instead.

"Fuck! Shit!," I screamed more out of frustration than pain. "You're all so self-righteous and sanctimonious that I can never be proper!"

I righted myself my shoeless feet wobbling as I held onto the back of the stool and focus my glassy eyes on my mother who stood stoic and pristine in light drown pants and a mahogany chiffon bell sleeve tie-neck blouse.

Our eyes clashed as I pointed at her. I only wanted you to love me," I waved my hands drunkenly as I shouted but my voice only croaked with my emotions, "all of you to love me but what I got was everybody telling me to grow up, do this, do that, stop this and stop that!

Now, look at me the spoilt defiant one torn to pieces because all I wanted was to build my little world with the people I want to be there. Daniel is gone to that pristine bitch who everyone adores and dad is a few hours the least from being taken by death..."

My voice broke then and strangled sounds erupted from my throat as tears spill down my cheeks and burn my throat as I tried to repress the flow.

I sank to my knees as I give in to the pain of loss that I tried hard not to let engulf me, but I was no match for it or the circumstances I was faced with.

Kameel was gone, my one true friend but after what had happened that friendship had snapped like a flimsy twig. I took deep ragged breaths but it seems to want to choke me instead. He was always there from I met him in Tampa all those years ago to even when I wanted to destroy Dan's life with Leslie.

I look up at my mother who was still standing behind the bar as if waiting for me to make some discovery on this elemental level on which I now fight my demons.

I felt my lips parted to speak but I knew I had nothing to say other than that it was time to do all they said. It was time for me to grow up. But how?

I got no answer because the chiming of the doorbell caused my mother to turn from me and made her way on patent leather heels of a deep brown.

Myra Rivers was the element of immaculate sophistication, a woman who was made for a world of flair and opulence only to be given a child broken, flawed, and imperfect.

I heard a familiar voice and I tried to rush to my feet, it only caused me to unceremoniously toppled over and it took much effort to get myself standing.

I swayed to the door my excitement fighting to keep me sober. I yanked the door open and made to call the name of my savior, but there he stood with Leslie by his side, his hand around her waist lovingly and I felt rage.

His other hand was affectionately caressing our mother's cheek as her hand was resting in Leslie's who held it comfortingly. I stared at them knowing that should have been me with Daniel. All the love that was radiating there should have surrounded me.

I marched towards them but in my drunken state, I am sure it looked far from purposeful orchestrated strides.  I let my bleary eyes run over Leslie standing there in a soft cotton shirt dress which was belted about her waist loosely, on her feet were simple sandals decorated with blue rhinestones of various sizes on its criss-cross straps. My eyes traveled up to her face and our eyes met.

She was truly an attractive woman who glowed with a warmth that radiated from her to everyone around. There was an aura of humility and grace to her that came from being confident in who she was.

Daniel's wife, his damn wife!

I felt my eyes rush from her and dart to Dan who was still talking to Myra even though he knew I was there. He blatantly ignored me. I felt my feet faltered as I heard him respond to something mother said to him.

As the words radiated to me and swam around in my drunken mind I was sober enough to know what they meant and how serious he was.

"There is nothing or anyone else I would rather have by my side mother, and more so as the mother of my child I'll trample anyone foolish enough to try and come between me and my family."

There was no snicker of triumph, stare of victory, or smirk upon her glossy lips as my eyes traveled back to Leslie. I knew deep down if it was I, I would no doubt rubbing it in her face.

I saw in her expressive eyes a look of sadness that I took for pity but in all truth, she was feeling sorry for the mess I had made and how stupid I was and equally stubborn not to clean it up.

I turn on my heel and somewhat steadily climb the stairs to my room. I needed a shower. I had too much of last night still on me.

I was still the messed up girl that cursed Kameel for my fail attempt to destroy a love that I will never find with Daniel even if I had somehow succeeded in driving him and Leslie apart.

I might love and want Daniel now but I doubted if I would ever keep on doing so the way Leslie would have. I cared for him, but I was selfish enough to put myself first thinking that was how it should be.

As I slip out of the dress and my underwear and slipped into the shower for the first time in a very long time I genuinely cried. I was always looking to break something to have something not caring about the destruction I made or left behind.

When I return from the shower Leslie was standing at my doorway and I stared at her in surprise. As she quietly closed the door I stood and waited for what was to come.

"May I have a seat?" I heard her ask.

I stood there silent for a few seconds then shrug and said, "Suit yourself."

I was not sure I was ready for what was to come but whatever it was I was prepared to take it.

I spread my bed it was time for me to lay in it.
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Hey Hey Hey,

Is Leslie here to bury the hatchet...naah, but let's see what's this is all about.

Stay tuned and leave your comments, views, and a vote too. Nuff love ❤