Somebody That I Used To Know

The Breakup

"Do you have your medication?" Denise asks, rummaging through the duffle bag.

"Yes, all of it."

"Good. Your phone charger?"

"In the bag."

"Your cardigan?"

Tom shakes the cardigan that was hanging on his shoulders.

"Got it. Oh, I'm so glad that you're coming home. It's gotta be so aggravating being here for a month. I'm way too comfortable in this hospital."

"Denise?" Tom whispers.

"What? Are you okay?"

"Denise, I... I want to break up."

"What?" Denise's mouth drops.

"I'm so sorry. I love you but-"

"But? What the hell so you mean, but?"

"Denise, I-"

"Let me get this straight, because I can tell you've rehearsed this so you've thought about it long and hard, you let me basically quit my job to be here with you 24/7 and you dump me as soon you get released? Do you realize how shitty that is?"

"That was just a really bad timing, I'm sorry. It has nothing to do with me wanting someone to sit with. I love you so much, and I know you don't believe me anymore, but this has to do with Molly."

"You hated Molly."

"I know I did but she's... nev from leaving my life. She can't ever leave my life and I love her. I want to be with you and I promise, I'll pay you every penny that you lost from sitting here with me, but I should go home."

"The apartment was your home."

"Yes, it was. You're a wonderful woman, Denise, but I can't give you what you want."

"Don't act like you're breaking up with me for my own good. This is all because of you and Molly."

"It wouldn't have worked in the long run. You want babies, I don't want more kids and I won't have sex. You want an intimate relationship with someone and I don't want that."

"That's for me to decide. This is insane. How long have you felt like this?"

"Like what?"

"That you wanted to breakup. I stayed here everyday because I love you and I knew how terrifying this would be for you. Was I just here to sit with you? Was I your company because Molly wasn't there?"

"No." Tom says. "No, not at all. I've been thinking about this for a little more than a week but I was going to stay with you because I love you. I love you so much, Denise, but-"

"Don't." Denise snaps. "Please don't."

"Listen to me, I love you but... but Molly's the person for me."

"She's blamed you for this. All you talk about is how horrible she is."

"She's really not that bad. Yes, she talks like a moron and says some bag things but she's a good person and I love her very much. I love the idea of getting to go home every night to my wife and daughter."

"What about me? We could've had that."

"I know, darling, but-"

"You used me, that's what hurts."

"I swear to you, Denise, I didn't use you. I love you and I enjoyed every second that we shared. I appreciate you and I love that you're in my life but I want to go home. The time I've been dating you has been mentally exhausting, and that's not your fault. I haven't been able to have a proper relationship with you and it's too late to start over. I want to go home, to things I know. You've done so much for me and from the bottom of my heart, thank you."

"We had a real relationship, Thomas."

"I know we did but I couldn't fully devote myself to you. I don't want to work anymore."

"Dating me was work?"

"No, no, not at all. It's just... Molly's my wife. I don't have to put on an act for her. Honestly, I'm terrified going home. I've been locked up in this room for a month. Now I'm going home to new, scary, territory and I don't know what to do. I want to be in my own bed with my daughter in the next room. Molly's been through this stuff with me a lot, she understands it."

"And I don't?"

"Not as well. I'm sorry, Denise. I really hope that you don't hate me and we can be friends in the future."

"I don't think we can." Denise says. "I'll drive you to Molly's and drop your stuff off tonight. After that, I don't want to hear from you again."

"Denise, please." Tom says. "Don't do this."

"I still feel betrayed. If you needed that usual comfort that much then you should've had Molly be here from the start of visiting hours to the end. I'd go home, shower, sleep for 3 hours, and come back to you. That's been my month. And I was happy doing it because I loved you and you needed your girlfriend to be there, you couldn't be alone. Where was Molly all that time? Yeah, she visited you but I lived here."

"We weren't together when this happened. She was with me for all the other things."

"So now it's my turn? I'm glad you're feeling better and I hope your recovery continues to go well but after I see you tonight, I don't want to see you ever again. Do you understand?"

"Yeah."

"Come on."

Tom grabs the bag on the bed and slowly walks out of the hospital room with it.

Molly was right, it felt like any sort of protection he said was gone.