Short stories

Him

She went into the packed bar. There were people everywhere, packing everywhere. She walked to a table in a corner near the dance floor. A waitress approached her, a tray in her hand.

“Do I get you the same as usual?”

The waitress didn’t even look at her new client, tired of her job. The young woman nodded and disappeared employed. She came here every night around the same time: ten o’clock. She could see the same faces almost every night. She came there to cry over all her problems that were falling on her on a regular basis. Becoming depressed, there was nothing left for her to do but to kill herself. But she didn’t want to die alone. She had no one in her life, not a single friend with whom she could discuss. Her whiskey glass finally appeared in front her. Closing her eyes, she listened to the music. She took a long sip, close to tears. She had no one now. He told her another caught his attention and she brought him much more than her. However, she came to join him as usual. He seemed very distant. He really had his head elsewhere since he wasn’t listening to her. She had approached him and he had declined. She was hurt. He was cold and was acting in a different way. Why? She had asked THE question she herself feared. Then her heart was broken. He had met someone else? When? And he had said he would never see her again. She could even hear his voice…

* * * * *

“Laura, you must understand…”

“What is there to understand, tell me? I’m not good enough for you?”

“I never said that. We… fuck together for a while. I want to be with someone for the rest of my life. But not with you. We are too different, you and me.”

“But I, I love you…”

“It’s over.”

* * * * *

She sighed, remembering what Stephen had said earlier. Her lover just dumped her. She rummaged in her bag to get her pack of cigarettes. She thought for a moment before putting it away again. She took another sip, her eyes unfocused. She only thought of her former lover. She couldn’t stand it no more. She began to imagine she was writing a letter for him saying goodbye. Then she would take away her life. But what would he think of the letter? She wanted him to feel guilt, but she doubted it worked. He didn’t care what might happen to her. Sighing again, she emptied the rest of her drink. A man approached her table and smiled.

“Is there anyone on this stool?”

Laura shook her head, looking away. He sat on the stool and placed his glass before him.

“You came here alone?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not too bored?”

“No. And you? You have nothing else to do than talking to single women?”

He laughed softly.

“It’s my favorite pastimes. Does it bother you?”

She frowned. From the time she came here, never a man had spoken to her or even questioned her. She was determined not to let him go. Finally, she smiled back at him, knowing full well it didn’t seem true.

“You do not disturb me.”

“So much better! I didn’t want to spend another tour around the room to find another pretty girl.”

She blushed and thanked him. He asked her name before shaking her hand. He paid her another glass, engaging conversation. She ended up losing the count, too busy having fun. Alcohol made her a little euphoric. She enjoyed the company of this man. He confided he found her a little depressed when he came to her. She swept the air with her hand, saying it was a long story.

“I have plenty of time.”

She laughed, shaking her head.

“Okay. I’ll give you the summary: my boyfriend dumped me.”

“A pretty woman like you will not stay alone for very long, trust me.”

“There isn’t a line up in front of my door. Believed me! But it hasn’t always been that way, you know. I was very popular when I was in college.”

“Really?”

“Back in those days, I fell in love with the quarterback of the football team. His name was Rodrigo. He was so handsome! But he already had a girlfriend.”

“And it made you very unhappy?”

“Oh yes! I wanted to know if he was interested in me so I went out with another guy, a sort of computer crack. You know the kind?”

“Did you fell in love with him instead?”

“Of course not! I was a cheerleader and had a reputation to protect. This guy was a real geek! But Rodrigo was furious with envy. The team gave a little party on the beach and that’s where we shared our first kiss. My friends didn’t believe me!”

“What happened to the other guy?”

“Christian? I didn’t want to tell him. Not to hurt him, you know?”

“Little naughty!” he replied, laughing.

“But soon, Rodrigo and I were often together. It was so romantic! One day, we were in my room and Christian came.”

“He surprised you?”

She nodded, reviewing the scene. She remembered Christian was totally enraged. She was seen him for about six months and she refused to sleep with him. Physical attraction was far from them! He finally understood why. After catching her, Christian had completely disappeared from her life. She knew that he wanted to avoid her and she couldn’t blame him for that. She was very happy to never see him again. On the other side, Rodrigo left his girlfriend to officially see Laura. They had been dating for nearly three years. She heaved a deep sigh.

“The best years of my life. Now I’m alone and I have to accept the idea.”

She emptied her glass.

“You had too much to drink, I think.”

“It’s the only pleasure I have, believe me.”

“Why? You’ve got me now.”

She frowned, scrutinizing his eyes. Then she laughed, slowly shaking her head.

“I don’t think so.”

“And why is that?”

“We can spend the night together, but in the morning, you’ll have no idea who I am. It doesn’t interest me.”

Without saying anything, he stood up and kissed her. She felt her body melt suddenly. He pressed her hard against him and she lost it, forgetting everything around them. She brought him back home. The apartment was plunged into darkness, lit only by the moonlight. Two sweaty bodies were busy on the bed, moaning sometimes. When it was over, he rolled on his back, catching his breath. Laura could not help herself from smiling stupidly. He’s a better lover than Elliot! She pulled a sheet to cover her body slightly and turned to him. He had crossed his fingers behind his neck and looked at the ceiling.

“You’re a very good lover.”

He smiled at her, eyebrows raised.

“Really?”

“One of the best in my opinion. No comparison.”

“Well now you know what you missed.”

She frowned, not understanding what he meant. He lifted himself on his elbows, a small smile on his lips.

“Oh! Did I forget to introduce myself? My name’s Christian, your former college boyfriend. Do you remember? You cheated on me with Rodrigo!”

She had recoiled when she saw a flash of anger in his eyes. She wondered if it was a nightmare. She pulled the sheet under her chin, looking for something to say. He had changed so much!

“And I finally got what I wanted and you refused to give me at the time. Bitch!”

He literally jumped on her, his hands around her throat. He began to strangle her with all the rage he felt.

THE END