Do You Love Me, James Taylor

Date Part 4

(Martha)

I looked at Ebenezer as he got up from the chair and walked over to me

"What is it Ebenezer?"

"You owe me an explanation" he said

"What?" I asked confused

"Our son isn't the only one going out tomorrow" he said before my phone rang

"Look who it is" he said tossing my phone to me.

I didn't catch because I was still stunned

"What? Not gonna pick it up" he said before I reached down and picked up the phone

I didn't have to look to know the Caller I.D. said James

"Not gonna answer?" he said before I answered putting the phone at my ear

"Put it on speaker" he said and I complied

"Hey Martha, it's James, I kinda need your answer for our little trip. My friend is asking if I'm gonna bring somebody or not. I keep telling him to wait for just a couple more hours but I think he's starting to get restless. So I really need an answer. By tonight be nice"

I didn't say anything Ebenezer terrifying gaze kept me from speaking

"Martha? You there?"

"Your friend is asking you a question"

"It's you. Scrooge, isn't it" James said with venom laced words

"I asked if you're not going to answer"

"James I don't think I-"

"Where are you two going?" Ebenezer interrupted me

"Ebenezer....." I said

"Answer me. Where are you going?"

"She doesn't have to answer you"

"Keep quiet when I'm talking to my fucking wife!" Ebenezer yelled

"Oh so she's now your wife. I was confused because everyone in town as noticed you drinking yourself to death. Is that for your wife or-"

"You have some nerve to talk to me like that" Ebenezer cut him off

"What exactly do you two talk about at your little sessions?"

"That's confidential" James argued

"Our marriage doesn't need the involvement of any outsiders" Ebenezer said

"That's funny your marriage already had one outsiders long before I came here. I'm clearly just evening things out"

"Who the hell do you think you are?!"

"THAT'S ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU! I AM SO SICK AND TIRED OF THIS SHIT" I yelled furiously and Ebenezer only laugh

"You're sick and tired?" he laughed

"Tell me what makes you so tired huh. Did you lose your work? Are you forced to stay in my damn house all frickin day like some fucking child. Well I'm not! I am not a child. If you want a child speak to the one upstairs. The child seems to be a magnet for trouble and can't seem to know how to stay from it"

"I'm doing this for you. I'm doing all of this shit for you. I go to work for you so you don't accidentally overdose on your own supply, I beg you to stay inside so you don't frickin get drunk and drive yourself into a damn tree and all because you're still upset that your son unknowingly got the girl you've been pinning for for over two damn decades. You think it's easy to watch you ruin yourself time and time again. For her! Do you have any idea how much it hurts. Do you know I want to go out? But I don't. I don't because because I'm here ' babysitting' you because I love you. And it hurts even more when I stay here knowing you don't love me. Oddly I can live with that pain; I can live with you loving someone else. Hell I've been doing it for twenty odd years. But I can't and I won't stay here and listen to you insult our son. I'd gladly go on that date before I ever allow you to do that"

"Fine" he said

"What?" James and I said

"If you want to go out so badly. Go on the date that badly"

"You can't really mean that" I asked my eyes starting to water

"Why not? You said you wanted to go. Why should I stop you?"

"What's your problem jackass she clearly didn't mean it like that?"

"You know what it means if I go on that date right?" I asked but he only chose to remain silent

"Fine, James come pick me up" I said before taking my coat and walking out

"Martha are you sure about this?"

"Please just come pick me up" I said

"Martha-"

"Now would be nice" I interrupted him

"On my way"