*TERI*
"It's been too long, my love," I lean in and kiss the side of Sherri's mouth as she greets me at Café Gratitude. We love to meet here for brunch whenever we get a chance, and today is the perfect opportunity as I am on a break from my movie in New Orleans, and Sherri is headed to New York City soon.
"Good to see you, T," she half smiles as she sets down her bag.
"Chilly today, huh?" I make small talk as I try to smooth things over. We had gotten into a huge fight over the weekend, one which I didn't want to rehash at all. In fact, I don't remember the last time I had seen her that angry.
"It IS true that...that I had planned to be here for New Year's Eve, Sher, but things change. Plans change, and...and I thought that you, of all people, would get that!" I throw my hands up as we sit on her back deck. I had come straight to her house from the airport thinking she'd be ecstatic with the news that I was back with Mason.
"Yes, things change, Teri. I'm well aware that things change, but we had this whole entire party planned. Do your kids know you're bailing? Bay and Grif were excited! And wait til the twins hear!"
"They're old enough to understand, Sherri..."
"That's not the damn point! Oh my god! You're so blind! Just forget it!" She jumps up and grabs the empty tea pitcher and storms toward her door. "I'm gonna grab more tea," she mutters but I stop her.
"Wait, Sherri! Please! Don't run from me!"
"What, Teri?" She glares at me very hard, and I shudder.
"Just...aren't you at least happy? For me?" I squeak out, and I see her struggle to keep eye contact. "Sherri?"
"Ya. Sure. Congratulations, Teri. You won the prize!" She pulls away. "Now, I'm getting more tea."
I wait until she returns before I push even more. "I don't get it. One bit. You're...you're married to a man I know you don't fuck. You haven't fucked me in god knows how long. So I...I can only assume that you're done. And I try to be happy..."
"It falls on me to fuck you? Since when?" She raises her voice as she slams her glass picnic table making it shake, and I lean forward.
"Keep your damn voice down," I hiss.
"No! I won't! Since when, Teri? When does it fall on me to meet up and fuck you? If I remember, every time I've been in town you're too damn busy! And I never once said I was over you! I'd marry you, damn it!" Her voice is so loud, I can't help but worry her boys or neighbors will hear, and I scoot closer.
