Listen To Your Heart ~ Book One.

The Cold Hard Truth

(I go to get off the bed, but Billie grabs my left arm.)

"You promised to sleep next to me."

"You know something? Claudia once told me that she wanted me to fight for you. That's all I've been doing, Billie...okay? That's all I've been doing. And what do I got to show for it? First Needle Dick, then a fake ass paternity suit...but oh wait...we aren't done fucking you over yet, David! No... no. Now I'm going to fuck my own sister...the woman you love...isn't that wonderful?"

(I yank my arm out of Billie's grasp, and head back towards the living room sofa. Billie follows me.)

"Damn you. We slow danced. You kissed me goodbye! You said that you'd always love me! Was that all a lie?"

(Sighs)"I don't know, Billie. Maybe you should call your brother and ask him! Since you're not listening to a fucking thing I'm saying!"

"I am listening to you! That's why I'm here now. To work things out!"

"YOUR BROTHER WON'T ALLOW IT! DO YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND THAT PART NOW?" (I yell at Billie.) "It was your brother who told Needle Dick where you were. It was your brother and Needle Dick who paid that woman off to lie. It was your brother, who fucked you...because he knew if I ever found out about it, it would drive us apart! And it did! Do you understand that part now?"

(I grab a jacket off of a chair.)

"It's late...where are you going?"

"Out...do I need your brother's permission for that too?"

(I leave. Billie cries herself to sleep. She had pushed him, in hopes of getting David to talk things out, and the results had been... the cold hard truth.)

(In the morning, Billie awakes to discover David still hasn't returned home. She goes into the kitchen to make herself some breakfast, finds a bunch of microwaveable stuff, and some cereal. 'How can he live eating this shit?' she wonders. She flips thru her phone, looking for take-out breakfast places in Philadelphia. She finds one, orders some food and drink for both of us, then watches television, as she waits for the stuff to arrive. I arrive home a short time later. We go into the kitchen, as Billie mixes everything together. I wasn't used to eating vegetarian food, but I had to admit, it wasn't bad. Billie and I sit and eat in silence, not really having much to say to one another, but I knew we had to talk sooner or later. Might as well get it over with I figured.)

"Billie...we need to talk."

"Yeah...we do."

"Do you want to go first?"

"You can go first, as long as you listen to what I have to say as well."

"I can do that. I've been reading a few of your on-line posts. Listening to a few of your interviews. The general gist I'm getting from your interviews and posts is...If it feels good...do it. Am I right so far?"

"Basically...yea. What's wrong with that?"

"Is that why you and your brother fucked? Because you both figured it would feel good, so just do it? Claudia and my feelings be damned?"

"I..." (Billie glances at me, then looks away. She couldn't look me in the eye, because she knew I saw right thru her. Tears flow down her cheeks.)"I am sorry." (She whispers.)