Sing for Me

Divorced for You

Louis locks the door behind him before he takes my coat and purse. Johnny was already rolling a joint at my kitchen table. Louis mumbles a farewell as he disappears down the dark hall. Johnny lights up, offering the joint to me. I shrug, inhaling the bad habit. "That was a beautiful song you sang. It was real... raw. Might say it's about someone special." He drags on.

The undying smile on my face grew even wider. "It was, but ya know how things go sometimes." Johnny takes the joint back, "So... The Cowboy?" I huff out a laugh, closing my eyes and nodding my head. "The cowboy," I confirm.

He nudges my arm, "Why didn't you say something? I could've put on a real show." "Because I didn't even plan on getting involved with him again." He ashes the joint in the tray. "Looks like the universe has other plans for you, my friend." I shrug begging the dopey smile to bugger off my face. "I don't know. I'm not going to get my hopes up. He's married." Johnny shook his head, eyes wide. "Not after tonight. I saw her face as I walked out. She was fucking pissed." I could feel myself gloating in victory.

~

The party winds down hour by hour. Guest leaving with smiles and stories to tell of the party at Cooper Howard's house where they had the pleasure of seeing the angel herself sing. The door closes and the house is finally at peace. Barb walks through, lip sucked in, anger clear on her face. Peace, ha, Looks like I spoke too soon.

"Where'd you disappear to?" Her words falter as she struggles to hold her composure. "When?" She glares at my answer, "You know when." Barb's words were soaked in sarcastic anger. Now or never I guess. I sigh, gesturing for her to sit down. "Sit down, Barb. We need to talk." She shakes her head, "I'm not going to sit down! I can not believe you. You're still sleeping with her, Coop! She's ruined us!" "She hasn't ruined us, Barb. You did. All the hours at work, the secrets you won't tell me, the intimacy was long gone before I even met her. We were struggling long before she came into my life. You can't deny that." No tears, no frown, Barb grows a wicked smile on her face. "So that's it then? You're going to throw away everything we have? For her? She's a fucking WHORE!" I toss my empty glass on the marble bar, the glass clinking loudly. "I love her, Barb." She scoffs, "Oh? You- you love her? Well, how fucking sweet, Cooper. Who am I, as your wife, to stand in the way of that?" Barb stomps up the stairs and slams the bedroom door shut.

I couldn't help but begin to think of the ways I was going to tell (Y/n). A proper date would serve her right after all I have put her through. Yet the thought of surprising her amid the night churns my insides. I could slip into her room, undetected, silent. I could take the time to praise her smooth skin, count the freckles on her body, and memorize the scars in various places. I would whisper those precious three words into her ear a million times. By the time the morning sun rose and I was still there she would begin to question it. It would be then I could deem her mine, really mine. I can imagine the smile on her face. Would I get married again? Shit, if she asked me to, I'd pump a baby in her belly.

I nesed myself in the guest bedroom with a tired smile. It was settled, I'd be calling my lawyer in the morning.

~

It had been two days since Cooper told me he loved me. Yet, no calls, no visits, no contact whatsoever. Maybe it had been a drunken act of passion. I knew I was right to not get my hopes up. It was only something he did in the heat of the moment. I push my feelings down as I prep for the shoot. I put the astronaut helmet on my hip as I pose with an open glass of Nuka Cola. I stretch my lips wide in a picture-perfect smile, getting ready for the take.

"Ready I'm 3... 2..."

"YOU SKANK!" I look left toward the voice. Barb Howard rushed towards me, fury in her eyes. I stare at her out of shock, completely frozen in place. She doesn't slow as she nears my frame. A foot away, Barb winds her wrist back. A harsh slap echoed through the set. The burn on my cheek stuns me into shock. I stare at her with wide eyes.