Just Once More

Six

         Pulling into the back lot, I slot my glistening silver Mini in the only spot currently available. It’s your typical weekend-morning-busy with people doting on their most prized possessions. The fact that Monday is a bank holiday and everyone and their uncle is going away doesn’t help at all. My friend from work, Tarin, is nursing her husband through a man flu and Lily went to an indie two-day festival. Aside from curling up on the sofa with Sofi and enjoying Modern Family reruns, I haven’t made plans. That’s not to say that I wouldn’t be open to attending something if invited.

The trunk pops open and I cram my satchel into the space between a tennis racket and a box of work supplies. I step back and chuckle, knowing that if Dominic saw the cluttered state of the trunk he’d have a fit. Dom’s one of those people that can’t even bear to leave an empty coke can in the cup holder. He once filled two heavy bin liners with stuff out of my car and donated the contents to a charity shop without asking. That was also the same day we had our first fight.

I miss him so much that it hurts to cry. I would love to be held closely in his arms whilst he kisses away all my worries. I’m aware that won’t be happening anytime soon because we’re both as stubborn as each other. I refuse to be the one that gives in; I’m the one with the most to lose in this.

I snap the trunk shut and get to work by removing the mats to push them through the machine. Picking up the now spotless mats, I make a pile on the curb before unhooking the vacuum. It doesn’t take long to do the front seats so I focus my effort on sucking up the loose pet hairs in the back. I rubbed the tricky hairs with a latex glove before coming so picking up the rest doesn’t require much.

Once done, I push the passenger seat forward to clean under it. I spot a business card and broken C.D that seems to have lodged itself in the side gap. Figuring the C.D won’t be any good, I toss it into a plastic bag. I proceed to do the same with the business card but pause when my eyes sift out the words ‘plastic surgery’. Upon closer inspection I’m able to gather some more information to decide whether to keep the card or not. I remember taking a business card from Dominic’s aunt at the wedding and not doing anything with it. I guess it’d been tucked away here the entire time.

          After the day’s schedule didn’t work out as planned, I did everything in my power to avoid Dominic’s aunt. I was occupied with a thousand and one other tasks; meeting Dominic’s cousin wasn’t a priority. The time and place wasn’t right. Now I actually don’t have an excuse for not giving the cousin a call. It’s been weeks since I’ve had any contact with Dominic. I’ve made it a rule that I can’t quiz Lily about her relationship unless she first comes to me. It’s better this way for my sanity. Tarin says the best way to get over a man is to meet someone new and hopefully she’s right.

I tuck the business card into my waistband and finish cleaning the interior of my car. When I get home I shower and put on something casual to take Sofi out for her daily walk. She’s way too antsy today for my liking and bolts out of the door before I can secure the leash. I catch up with her before she can bulldoze an unsuspecting neighbour.

“Not today young lady,” I caution as I make sure the leash is on properly.

Sofi responds by tugging the leash in her dribbling mouth. I cup her ears in the palm of my hands, making her eyes form some sort of contact with mine.

“Sof, I’m going to need you to just chill out and enjoy this walk. Can you do that for me?”

“Woof!” The leash drops from her mouth and the speed of her wag slows down.

It’s like she’s received the message loud and clear.

“Thank you God,” I whisper up to the serene sky.