Baby

nineteen

Jupiter assaulted me with kisses. His little puppy paws had grown big, so when he jumped up onto me he nearly toppled me down. I smiled down at his familiar face, giving him scratches behind his ears.

My man laughed a little at this, and dutifully shut the door behind us. I was a bit nervous when I heard the lock snap closed but I tried to brush it off.

It had been a long time since I was in the east-side. Longer still since I had been in this apartment.

I can't say that I was surprised by anything. All the walls were in the same place, the decor and furniture remained the same. Everything was sloppier than when I lived here, almost like he was so busy he didn't have time to clean. I felt my heart strings pull a little but I mostly just ignored it. I was in favor of my cold heartlessness instead.

"What did you want to talk about?"

He didn't even wince.

"Us. The dog. Where we stand and what to do from here."

"And what do you want to do then?"

"Honestly?" He turned around now, handing me a martini and leaning against the counter. His shirt pulled up on one side, revealing a peak of his familiar abs. "I kind of fucking want to hit you. That's not particularly helpful to anyone though so I'm not going to. I don't want to get a divorce but you ran out on me two years ago so there's also that."

I scoffed, audibly.

"Ran out on you? You left me at a fucking hospital and never came back!"

"I did come back. When I got there they said you checked yourself out. Said you wouldn't say where you were going."

"You didn't even bother looking for me huh?"

"Looking for you? Baby, I've know where you've been for the last two years, but what do you want me to do? Lurk around? Break law and interfere in no man's land? Baby, as much as I care about you, I refuse to act pathetic over a woman. Including you."

I took the ring off my finger then. The suffocating weight of it never leaving, even when I placed it on the table between us.

"No divorce. What then?"

"We make up? Go to a marriage counselor? I don't know. I just know that now that an opportunity has presented itself, I won't lose you a second time."

"Thought you didn't want to look like a fool for anyone?"

"I don't. So don't make me make that choice."

"I miss Jupiter."

"Jupiter clearly misses you. He's never been the same since you left y'know. He can tell his momma ain't around."

A sad smile fell upon my face.

"A trial. Six months. If we get better in six months, then I'll stay. If not, divorce."

"Deal."

And just like that, I caved.