The Black Queen

Eleventh Entry

January 23, 1984

I know I already wrote to you earlier today but Roger called me and I really had to tell you what happened. I was just eating some pizza I had ordered earlier and watching a movie. I am still recovering from the hangover. It was 5:17 when the phone rang. I was a bit disturbed since I didn't really want to talk to anyone yet. I picked up the phone and answered.

"Hello?"

"Dahlia?" I heard Roger's voice whispered

"You've got the balls to be calling me, Roger."

"Dahlia please-"

"I really don't want to be talking to you, Roger."

"Dahlia please, listen me." I paused for a moment.

"I'm listening."

"I'm sorry for last night, I am so sorry. I was fucking drunk, I really was. I didn't mean to do that last night."

"Roger, you almost gave away our secret last night. Hell, I think you did! Dominique called me earlier."

"She did?" He sounded worried now.

"Yea, she did" I scoffed. "And you know what? She didn't sound too happy."

"Fuck" he said.

"You're head must be pounding."

"My head has been in the same state of pain all day. Are you alright?"

"I had a slight hangover this morning but I'm fine now. Roger, we can't be seeing each other for a while, it's too risky, and after last night Dominique is going to be on your ass now."

"I agree, darling. I can't live without you. I can't stop thinking about you."

"You did this on yourself. If you hadn't done anything we wouldn't have been off the hook."

"I know, I'm sorry....I love you."

"I know I got that last night you don't need to say it again."

"No Dahlia, I mean it. I love you." I immediately hung up the phone after that. I decided to go outside for the day after that. I needed to relax. Just forget my troubles. I got dressed and left my apartment. I walked around the city and breathed in the fresh air. God how I really needed it. I went to a cafe and drank a cup of coffee with a muffin. I left afterwards. The snow began melting by the looks of it. There wasn't that much left. I went to a bookstore. I haven't read a novel for a while. I used to read books in my room during my high school years. I didn't socialize that much even though I had a lot of friends. Marty hates reading. He gets bored with them. Whatever, it's his opinion. I can't force him into liking books. Besides, he's more of a film person. He loves movies. He used to have a small camera and filmed stuff with it. And now he's in film school. How times change.

I was checking through the books to see which one I would like. There were so many. I couldn't believe a store could hold this much books. I found one to read. A Clock Work Orange. John told me how much he loved this book so I decided to try it out. I took it from the shelf. I turned and was shocked to see who was in front of me. Chrissie May. She looked shocked as well. She had about five books in her arms.

"Chrissie" I finally said.

"Dahlia, surprised to see you here" She said sternly

"Yea, I, um, I decided to just get a book. I love reading."

"I can see. I don't really like that book you got there. It's too graphic and so is the movie."

"Oh, I haven't seen the movie yet. I see you have some books, too."

"They're for Brian. He has a passion for astronomy. It's our ten year anniversary tomorrow. Decided to get something special for him." I sighed a little.

"Listen Chrissie, I am so sorry for what happened last night. I was so drunk."

"You need to be careful more. You might be still looking for someone to settle down with but a lot of people have already done that, especially my husband."

"I know, I'm sorry." She walked past me.

"I'll be seeing you around then." She left into another aisle after that.

I'm about the read the book I got right now. I go back to work tomorrow. I just need to relax.

-Dahlia