Running Through The Garden

Into the Fire

"Stevie?" Don called out as he entered though the front door, stepping into the eerily quite living room, glancing around to catch a glimpse of his lover.

"Steph are you home?"

He got no response, leaving his suitcase in the living room, venturing off into the kitchen. "Babe?" He called out once more, his eyes squinting out at the patio.

He walked towards it, sliding the glass door open, his eyes taking in the ashes lying everywhere, bending over the fire pit as he picked up a shiny object.

He saw her ring, charred and blackened as he picked it up between his fingers, frowning.

"I saved you the trouble of packing."

He jumped, hearing her voice, turning to seen her leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed.  "Stevie what the hell is all this?"

    She didn't respond, turning around and heading into the kitchen.

    "Stevie!" He followed her.

"Who is she?"

"What?" He played dumb.

"The twenty year old you had your dick pressed against, was it a fan or someone you met at the bar?"

"Babe I don't know what you're talking about."

"There's pictures Don! Do not stand here and act like I'm an idiot, I saw them."

   "Baby I don't know what you saw, but you know how the media likes twist things around, they like to screw with people."

"Your tongue was jammed down here throat, I can not believe you! Five years? Does that mean nothing to you?"

    "Stevie I think you need to relax, let me pour you a glass of wine, light some incense..." he drew closer to her, grabbing her shoulders lightly as he ran his hands up and down her arms. "Let's talk."

   She shoved his hands away. "Do not touch me! I want you out of here!"

    "Babe you're being irrational right now, let's talk this over."

    "What do you want to talk about Don? That you've been cheating on me this whole time?"

    "It wasn't the whole time!"

    "So you admit it?"

    He cursed himself. "God damnit Stevie! That's not what I meant, I haven't slept with anyone other than you."

     "You expect me to believe that?"

     "Yes, because we've been together for five years. I have devoted these past years to you, i have loved you, and I have been there for you."

     "There's pictures Don." She squeaked out, no matter how strong she was trying to appear, she couldn't stop the tears trailing down her face.

    "Pictures don't mean shit Stevie, I had too much to drink and I was three sheets to the wind. I don't even remember that girl."

   "I gave up so much for you." She starred him in the eyes, wanting him to see her heartbreak. "I gave up the chance to be a mother, for you, and you still left me."

    "Stevie that was the 70's."

    "And it still happened."

      He fell silent, not knowing what to say.

    "I want the full honest truth Don, did you sleep with her?"

    He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know."