Page 103 of I Knew You
“No!” I exclaimed, taking the plate she offered me. “Ugh. Things were so kismet between us. And now it feels like everything has shifted. It’s all wrong. It’s…”
“Tainted?” Kallie offered, walking in with her tacos and settling on the couch. “Talk to him. Like a real person, not like a robot.”
I didn’t answer her. I curled up my legs into the recliner, feeling my back stretch uncomfortably, and I winced.
“We did too much today,” Kallie said, mouth full of taco.
“It’s fine, really,” I replied. The ache subsided once I settled. “It’s time for my next round of pills, that’s all. I hope the doctor tells me tomorrow it’s okay for me to drive.”
We ate in silence, and my thoughts ran in circles until I thought I might combust. Clenching my plate of tacos, I’d only picked over, I carefully stood up from my seat.
“I think it’s time to write,” I declared.
I would process and pour every emotion I had into my fantasy world, where the girl accepts the past and looks toward the future. And the guy gets the girl.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Bram |October 21, 2024
“For the last time, get up!”
My eyes were still closed when Mel’s shrill voice reached my doorway, penetrating my solace. Lakey was somewhere close, panting. I’d been without my wife for one week.
A miserable, soul-sucking seven days.
Melanie had moved in temporarily while Julianna was away. Her townhouse complex was sold, and all the tenants were given thirty days to get out. We moved most of her items to storage since I needed something to do to keep my mind off Julianna, and although she was on the hunt for somewhere new to live, I was grateful she was with me, so I didn’t have to be alone.
I had been morphing into a vampire-like state, staying up until the wee hours of the morning and clocking only a few hours of sleep. If Mel hadn’t been there to get me up in the mornings, I would have slept all day until I lost my job.
But I did everything I could to keep my mind off the fact that Julianna was so close, yet so far. I hadn’t attended the MCA dinner on Friday, feigning illness, but mostly, I couldn’t go and face the elderly ladies asking me where she was.
I thrived off the memories of the one night we’d spent together in my bed, the way she tasted on my tongue, the way her soft moans and whispers filled my ears, the pleasure of the moment imprinted deep into my very being. Her plush lips on my own. Her laugh, smile, and the way she was shy and kind with everyone she met. She was perfection. She always had been.
Her missing clothes and toiletries in the bedroom and bathroom were reminders of the harshest reality: she was gone.
She wants space.
She doesn’t want you.
Fifteen years of desire had been fulfilled, and I didn’t know how to deal with it being torn from me so suddenly. I dealt with her dismissal of me by reminding myself that we were still legally married. She couldn’t get away from me without severing that union, and I wouldn’t let her go anywhere without a fight.
I showered and dressed in my uniform, complete with badge and hat. I had a political pony show to attend, and I had to look official. If only the uniform would hide the dark circles under my eyes. I honestly did look like my nickname.
“You clean up nice, bro.” Melanie whistled as I entered the kitchen. She handed me an insulated travel mug of hot coffee, and I tipped my hat to her.
“Thank you. It’s an important day.”
She moved things around the kitchen, packing her lunch, dressed in her clean, pressed uniform. “You don’t have to pretend with me. I know how you feel about these photo opportunities for the senator.” The sarcasm echoed in her voice.
“Quit acting like you know me,” I grumbled, grabbing my jacket. “See you at work.”
I ushered Lakey into her kennel, ensured she had water, and added a treat for her. I gave her generous pats and heartfelt goodbyes before walking out into the shockingly cold October air.
I’d tried to bake a blueberry pie for Julianna five times. After so many failures, Melanie swooped in to help, and we created something decent enough that I could take it to her. I had so much I wanted to tell her, but I settled for a simple note. Her “thank you for the pie” text was everything and nothing at the same time.
As I did every day, I thought about her while answering emails and preparing the team for the day. We were unveiling a new accessibility ramp at Pelham Falls Picnic Area. It was a popular spot in the national forest and presented a great publicity opportunity for our senator, who had helped secure significant federal funding for the area. I’d done these events many times and knew it came with the position. I went through the pomp and circumstances of the ceremony, giving all the charm I could muster in my diminished state.
It was a successful unveiling. Pictures were taken, hands were shaken, and it was over quickly. My team and I were loading up the last of the chairs to return to the office when Melanie walked over and stood directly beside me. “Head over to Julianna’s house, now,” she whispered near my ear. “I think she needs you.”
