Waiting For Superman

Drinks and Secrets

Kara looked up at her laptop and sighed. The team was working on a case of maid abuse, and the employer had filed a report for misconduct against Matthew. “I hate paper work,” Kara muttered under breath as she rifled through a stack of papers on her desk.

“Well, so do I. And I’m bad at it, which is why Calvin assigned you the task,” Glenn said gleefully from the doorway. Kara groaned and said, “Go away Glenn. It’s your fault you didn’t tell Matthew he wasn’t allowed to interview the maid without permission from her employer first.”

“Fine, I admit it’s my fault. So I’ll make it up to you. I’ll treat you to drinks,” Glenn offered. Kara looked up from her work and said, “I did I hear you right? Did you just admit you were wrong?” Glenn clenched his teeth and said, “Yes I did. Now don’t make me take back my offer.”

Kara chuckled and closed her laptop saying, “Fine then. I need a ride home too. My car’s in the repair shop today.” Glenn shook his head and said, “Pushy much.” Kara ignored him and grabbed her bag, switching the lights to her office off.

“Your car is a complete mess Glenn,” Kara complained as she slid into the passenger seat, pushing aside crumpled up pieces of paper. “Well seeing as you have no other transport option, you’re stuck in my messy car,” Glenn said with a wry smile as he started the engine.

There was an awkward silence in the car as they pulled out onto the main road. “So, not doing anything with your boyfriend tonight?” Glenn asked awkwardly, trying to break the silence. “Mind your own business Glenn,” was Kara’s replied and he rolled his eyes.

As Glenn parked the car, Kara couldn’t help but say, “You have horrid parking skills Glenn. Must be a side effect of the attitude.” “Just get out of the car Kara,” Glenn said with a sigh.

“Remind me why you chose to come to Zouk on a Friday night again,” Kara shouted over the pounding music. “Personally I find it interesting to sit and observe the rowdy crowd,” Glenn shouted back, dragging her over to an empty table.

“Another one please,” Glenn said, as he staggered up to the bar. Kara shook her head and said, “You really are a drinker aren’t you?” Glenn ignored her and gulped down his drink. Kara surveyed her surroundings and when she looked back at Glenn, he already had a new drink in hand.

“Don’t drink too much alright? I don’t wanna be stuck with a drunk and grumpy man,” she said sipping her cocktail. “I’ll be fine,” Glenn said, brushing her off.

An hour later, Kara was stuck supporting a very drunk Glenn back to the car park. “I told you not to drink too much,” she huffed, dragging him behind her. “Ish fine,” Glenn said as he fumbled for his car keys.

Kara shoved him in the passenger seat and got in the driver’s side. “Okay Glenn, where does Estella stay? I’ll drive you there and catch a cab home.” “Why’d you wanna know where she stays?” Glenn asked as he handed her the keys?

“So I can leave you under her care you prick,” Kara said as she started the engine. “I broke up with her,” Glenn mumbled, looking out the window. Kara turned to look at him in surprise and said, “Really? Why? She seemed… Nice.”

Glenn continued to look out the window, ignoring her. Kara sighed and started the engine, exiting the car park. “So where do you want me to drop you?” Kara asked as she hit the road.

“In the drain maybe. Sounds like a good place to pass out,” Glenn said with a chuckle. “Gosh you’re so drunk,” Kara groaned. The two drove in silence for a while before Glenn.

“She was already engaged the stupid bitch,” he suddenly said as they stopped at a red light. “Who? Estella?” Kara asked softly, looking over at him. Glenn nodded drunkenly and said, “Went to her house to surprise and poof! The fiancé walks out of the bedroom.”

“I’m sorry,” Kara said gently as her eyes turned back to the road, now driving aimlessly in circles. “Don’t be,” Glenn said with a huge sigh. “She was a complete bitch in all honesty anyway. I just wished she had loved me that much too.”

“How do you know she doesn’t love you? The fact that she continued to stay with you even though she was engaged probably means something,” Kara pointed out. Glenn shook his head and said, “After six months of being together she never even did something romantic for me.” “Not that I care about romantic,” he said when Kara turned to look at him.

“Well, you don’t find love instantly,” she said, turning her attention back to the road. “I’ve been divorced,” Glenn said bitterly. “I think I figured that out for myself.” Kara opened her mouth to ask more, but she caught a glimpse of his face and bit her lip, holding back the many questions she had. It suddenly hit her that she didn’t know Glenn as well as she thought she did.  

There was more silence before Kara said, “So where do you want to go?” There was no answer and Kara said quietly, “Glenn? Where do you want me to send you?” She came to a stop at a traffic light and peered over to find him fast asleep.

Looking at him this vulnerable, she couldn’t help but pity the grumpy man. Not knowing where he stayed, she had no choice but to take him home with her. The thought of Johnny’s reaction scared her slightly, but she couldn’t just leave him in the car could she?

As she pulled up at her place, she gently shook him awake. “Come on Glenn,” she said gently, unbuckling his seatbelt. He groaned and looked up at her before leaning out of the car and vomiting on the floor. Kara winced and muttered to herself, “Thank goodness he leaned out of the car.”

Slowly, she dragged him towards the lift lobby and pushed him into the lift. “Gosh you’re heavy,” she said, leaning over to hit the button for the 11th floor. When the lift door opened, she dragged over to her door, and propped him up against the wall as she fumbled for her keys in her bag.

Once in the apartment, she dumped him on the sofa and went in search of a spare shirt of Johnny’s and a wet towel. Bending over him, she couldn’t help but feel a little awkward as she removed his shirt and cleaned up the vomit.

After dressing him in Johnny’s shirt, she headed for the kitchen and began washing Glenn’s vomit-stained shirt. “He so owes me for this,” she whispered to herself as the stench of vomit filled her nose.” She hung the shirt over one of the dining table chairs and couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Glenn asleep on her sofa. He was so tall, and her sofa was so small.

She tip-toed towards her bedroom but when she reached out to turn the knob, she found that it was locked. “Johnny? I’m home,” she said as she knocked the door. She could hear Johnny in bed as he rolled over and groaned. “Sleep outside bitch. I’m too lazy to get up and unlock the door,” he said, his voice muffled.

Kara bit her lip and walked back to the living room, looking around. Looking longingly at her sofa, she walked over to the loveseat and grabbed a few pillows before switching off the lights and walking over to the dining table, making herself comfortable.

She heard Glenn mumble in his sleep and she smiled to herself in the dark. “Sleep tight Glenn,” she said to the darkness as she closed her eyes.