Page 76 of 7 Miles High
“So what happened? Last time I saw you you were crazy about the boy.”
“I’ll tell you the whole sorted story when you get back,” I call.
I hear the cupboard open and the glasses being retrieved. She walks back in carrying the bottle and shot glasses.
Ten minutes later we’re into our second shots. I’ve laid out the sad story. Violet’s eyebrows are pulled together and her lips are pursed.
“Well, you really can’t say what he did. You haven’t given him the opportunity to tell you.”
My protest is immediate and a little too forceful.
“What possible reason could he have had? He left me sitting there without a clue. He didn’t call. What the fuck kind of a reason would explain that behavior?”
Her palms come up in resistance.
“I don’t know. But I’m just thinking about the times I assumedwrongabout something. But it was always too late for me to change things. You sure you want to take that chance?
“I’ll put it this way. The answer is no, but I can’t afford to think that way. My weakness in that area bit me in the ass. I know what happened and I can’t make two and two equal five now.”
Violet pours us another shot and puts her feet on the coffee table.
“I didn’t know you when you were married, but I know there’s not a weak thing about you, Natalie.”
She’s making me cry again. I wipe away the tears.
“I saw how happy you were. I’d be surprised if you picked so poorly. As my mother would say, ‘Don’t be a dope and cut off your nose to spite your face.’”
Somehow I know I’ll be thinking about those words deep into the night.
