Page 75 of Character Flaws
Her eyes dart away, toward the outer door, before turning her gaze back to me. I drink in her features, hoping to see a trace of the fun-loving girl I’ve gotten to know over the last few weeks.
“Maybe,” she suggests, her voice brittle with the lie that passes through her lips.
We head out the front door. The cool morning has already passed us by and the humidity in the air clings to our skin as soon as we hit the sidewalk.
Woody yanks at the leash with his long, wiry-haired body and my arm flies out jerking me toward the patch of grass where he squats and pees. Joey remains immobile for a moment, sliding on a pair of oversized sunglasses and adjusting her purse.
The air between us crackles with uncertainty, remorse and the possibility of redemption. I don’t want to let her walk away without having a chance to explain myself, but I can’t seem to find the words that would make any sense to her.
Looking back at my relationship with Alyssa, she was like this anchor around my neck. If you’re a boat, an anchor serves the purpose of keeping you in place so you don’t drift off into the wide-open water. An anchor on a human is an impediment that can choke you, drag you down and drown you.
Joey has been my buoy. My life-preserver. The oxygen I’ve needed to take that breath after being held down underwater for so long now.
She’s resuscitated me and filled me with life again. But somehow, I can’t spit the words out. And I’m afraid I’ll never have the chance again. That if she walks away, the time we’ve shared this summer will evaporate just like the humidity on my skin.
“Bye, Theo. Bye Woody.” She squats down and rubs behind Mr. Woodcock’s ears, and his little butt wiggles with his reciprocated love.
My heart wiggles a little, too.
“Have a good time today. Talk to you later.”
I can’t see her eyes behind the glasses, but she stares for a moment before she walks off, waving behind her. My gaze doesn’t leave her as I watch her dress sway in the wind, her hips sashaying in a sexy taunt, calling my name.
One stupid moment last night has lead me to the place where I’m now watching the girl I have fallen for walk away without a backwards glance.
And I need to figure out a way to win her back.
****
“How’s it going, Theo?”
I haven’t spoken with Pat for over a week, as he’s been traveling between Shanghai and Hangzou, one city I’ve never even heard of. I know, I’m not much of a world traveler and never paid too much attention in high school Geography.
When Alyssa and I were together, we took a long-weekend trip down to Cozumel, Mexico, mainly because it was a gift from her father. We stayed in one of those highly-sought after huts on stilts on the Gulf of Mexico and it was perfect. Except for the huge fight we got in.
It’s so easy for me to look back now and realize how difficult Alyssa was to be with. She was never happy. No matter what I tried or how much I placated her, she was just a very unhappy soul. If I was one of those people who could read aura, I’d see all the black negative energy hanging around her.
Completely unlike Joey’s bright fluid light. A woman, who even during her toughest days at the end of her teaching year, still could find humor in life and laugh at the chaos.
It makes me curious as to how well she and I would travel together? Where would she want to go? Has she ever wanted to live anywhere else? I never had a chance to ask her.
“Hey Pat. Good to hear from ya, man. How’s the China experience?’
He sighs. “I’m ready to come home. I’ve had my fill of hot and horny Asian men and their delicacies.”
I snort laugh at his word choice.
“Their food, bro. Not their male delicacies,” he joins me in laughter. “I just want to be back in my own bed, snuggle with Mr. Woodcock and enjoy some of my favorite whisky.”
I clear my throat, wondering if I should tell him about having to replace his bottle before he returns.
Nah, he’ll never know.
“And how’s the play coming along? I wish I could be there for opening night. But I may be able to squeak in the Sunday matinee if my flight arrival is as planned. I’m so excited to see my Joey-girl in your play. I can’t believe you got her to do that. Fist bump, man.”
I chuckle but it comes out more like a grumble, and Pat hears the tension.
“What’s going on? Is everything okay with Joey?”
