Este and I throw our heads back laughing at the joke she just made. It's Tuesday night, and we're out for dinner as usual.
"That was smooth," I say through tears of laughter.
"I know, right?" she replies. She lets out a sigh, "James would kill me if he heard that one," she says as she shakes her head.
I purse my lips. I know things haven't been going well in their relationship lately, Este's planning on getting a divorce and I fully support that. James has always been.... well, a bit... strange. Last time I saw him it was clear he's not the man he was when he and Este first met. He's not the man she fell in love with.
"Has he agreed to the divorce yet?" I say leaning closer, as things get more serious.
Este takes a sip of her wine and shakes her head. "Not yet. And you know what?" she cautiously looks around, as if James could be there. She says in a whisper, "I smell infidelity."
I gasp and sit closer. I wouldn't even be surprised.
Este looks at her nearly empty wine glass and stares at it, as she says, "That ain't my murlot on his mouth, and that ain't my jewellery on our joint account," she then comes even closer, and whispers, "I think he did it but I just can't prove it."
There's no doubt about it, James is a cheater. "You've got to get out," I tell her firmly.
"Oh, I will. Very soon," she replies sounding certain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sounds of talking people people fill up the room at Olive Garden the next Tuesday, but Este's voice isn't among them. I sit alone at our usual table, and after half an hour I've had enough.
I ring Este more times than I can count, but she doesn't pick up. I try staying calm.
I drive away from Olive Garden to the local supermarket that she works at.
The woman at the desk has tired lifeless eyes, and I feel bad for bothering her, but this has to be done.
"Hi," I say to get her attention.
"How can I help you?" her flat voice asks.
I clear my throat and ask, "Este's a friend of mine. She works here, and I'd like to know if she has been here today."
The lady sighs, and types in a couple of things in her computer. She looks up at me, "Este hasn't been here since Saturday."
"Ok, thank you," I tell her, even though that's totally NOT ok. I ain't letting up until the day I die - I must find Este.
Next stop, her house. She lives in a cosy house, with a garage beside it. The garage door is open, and I can't help but notice that James has brand new tires on his truck. I raise my eyebrows, and knock on the door.
I am greeted with snake eyes that belong to the cheater himself, James.
"Is Este home?" I ask him, allowing the cold bitterness to flow through my voice.
He shakes him head and has mock sympathy on his face. "Oh, my poor Este, she has gone missing."
He wipes a non-existant tear from his eyes. "I reported her to the police, they're searching, but-"
"JAMES!" a shout is heard from upstairs. "James! Who is it? I'm waiting for you! Hurry up!"
"Coming!" he shouts upstairs. I raise my eyebrow. "My sister," he clears his throat.
I lean forward to him. "And you have no idea where Este is?" I hope the sharpness is clear in my voice.
"I told you all I know. I think you should leave now," all the fake sadness has left his voice, leaving only a cold, bitter one instead. He shuts the door in my face.
