Confessions of a Bitch

Collateral Damage

Bob looks at me, mystified and baffled, before opening the door even further, and letting both David and I, inside the house. The house is neat and tidy; something I would have never associated with Bob. For as long as I remember, he has always been messy. Take for instance, the time mum and I crashed at his place when I was nine. His place was a dump.

“Bob, honey. Who was at the door?”

I turn around to see a woman in shorts and a tank top, entering the living room area. I make a face when I see her, and look at Bob in confusion. I had no idea he was seeing someone. My look of confusion quickly turns to annoyance. Bob and I are close buddies (our friendship goes even further than killing people) and I can’t believe he didn’t tell me he had a lady friend. Rude.

“Just an old friend,” Bob answers, as he turns to look at the woman.

I muster a smile and say, “Hi.” 

“Hello,” she replies, moving closer towards me. She’s stunning and has a figure to die for. She looks at me as if I am on the run from the devil himself. “What happened to you?” 

“Nothing. I just had a tiny accident, that’s all.” I give a little laugh to ease the situation, but she doesn’t drop the inquisitive expression on her face. 

“Well guys, this is Eliza,” Bob states, pointing towards the woman beside me. “Eliza, this is Amanda. She’s a family friend and this is –” 

“David,” I interrupt. 

“And he is?” Eliza asks, glancing nervously at Hotpants. 

“Collateral damage,” I reply quickly, before David can say anything to preserve whatever masculine dignity he has in his system. An awkward silence soon follows, before being broken by Bob clearing his throat. “Well, if that’s it for the introductions, I need to use your shower,” I mutter. 

“Oh yes, come with me,” Bob takes me by the arm, further into the house. “I’ll soon be back,” he says to Eliza as we walk past her. Bob quickly shows me to a small room at the end of the hallway and we both enter the room before he closes the door.  “What the hell happened to you?” he asks as I dump my bags on the floor. 

I slump on the bed and rub my temples. “It’s a long story.” 

“I can tell,” he grumbles and crosses his arms. 

“I’ll tell you later,” I explain. “I just need to have a shower.” 

“Who’s the boy you brought with you? I hope you didn’t drag him into this mess?” 

I begin removing my shoes before replying, “Firstly, his name is David Walker. Secondly, he’s nothing but collateral damage, and thirdly, I didn’t drag him into anything. He is as much involved in this as I am.” Bob sighs dramatically, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “May I please shower now?” 

Bob nods and points to the door at the corner of the room. “The bathroom’s in there. I’ll show your friend his room and get him settled.” I wince at the pain in my head and Bob adds, “And I’ll get you some Nurofen deal with the pain. Then, we’ll talk about how you ended up like this.” 

I smirk when I realize he has purposefully avoided talking about his execution of Alyssa at the Rose Gardens, a couple of months ago. “Thanks.” I unzip my bag and take out some clothes and toiletries. 

Bob turns around to walk out the door when he stops, turns around. “Be careful around Eliza. She’s not used to this whole fast life thing.” I raise an eyebrow questioningly, but Bob ignores it and walks out of the room.