Trying to Throw my Arms Around the World

Stairs

Stairs

What a disaster, I thought as I re-entered the living room. By then I had fully admitted to myself that romantic scheming was not my forte, but what was it about Katy that always made her come out on top? When would I get the revenge that had been stewing inside me since I left Paris?

“I’m sorry, guys,” I said, attempting to convey an apology with a meek smile while racking my brain for a comeback, a way to at least annoy Katy. “Drama once again.”

“Nothing we’re not used to, darling,” Alex said. “She’s a funny character, though. Hardly seems your type.”

“She looked pretty pissed,” Katy said. “She must really like you.” I replied by glaring at her through half-closed eye-lids and pursing my lips together to make clear that wasting words on her was beneath me. 

“These boys are having their own drama tonight,” Liz said, her fingers stretched wide over her belly. “I may need to lie down.” We all decided this was our cue to leave. This time, I took the stairs down − more in an effort to avoid sharing the elevator with Lou and Katy than to honour Joan’s fitness request. I wondered how tonight’s event would reflect in Monday’s work-out, which was silly, because I knew well enough that she would slaughter me.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” Katy asked. She waited for me at the bottom of the stairwell. “I just want to tell you that I’m not the monster you think I am.”

“Oh yeah, how’s that?”

“Lou and I are not together. We’re just friends.” 

“But you brought her along anyway.”

“You brought Joan.”

“Because I knew Lou was coming with you.”

“Oh Lee, this is all a terrible misunderstanding.”

“No Katy, this is you taunting me once again. Well, you can be happy. It worked.”

“Listen to me, please. I know I’m not your favourite person and I’ve done things I’m not proud of.”

“Things? You slept with my bloody girlfriend.”

“Yes, I did that. And I’m sorry. But just listen to what I have to say please. I didn’t bring Lou to taunt you, on the contrary.”

“Cut the crap−”

“We slept together once and we became friends. She doesn’t like me, Lee. She likes you.”

“What?”

“She wanted to see you again without asking you out. She’s a bit strange when it comes to dating.”

“But−”

“And then you showed up with Joan.”

“But you made everyone believe you were together.”

“They just jumped to conclusions. I guess my reputation precedes me.”

“I see how it would.”

“Lou!” Katy shouted. “Lee is ready for you now.” She looked at me. “You do know how silly Lee and Lou sounds together, right?”

“Get out of here, Katy. If you want to stay on my good side for longer than one minute.”

“Bye Leesbian,” Alex yelled. Was he in on this? But I didn’t have time to consider Alex’s involvement because Lou stepped out of the shadows and I felt it then. The longing jittered through my body as she strode towards me, hands buried deep in her pockets, shoulders hunched forward, lips full and, finally, friendly. She had some Claire in her, in the way she held herself, her head cocked to the side, her hips slanted forward. Most of all she exuded the same improbability of becoming a successful other half. At least Claire had open relationships. Lou didn’t believe in relationships at all. I realised this made up at least half of her appeal to me − I hoped Roz would be back in full force again next Monday.

“Hey,” she said. “Let’s go.” I pulled her towards me.

“Why?” I whispered in her ear. “Nobody uses the stairs in this building.”

To be continued…