Chapter 32
577 Words
Michael
I don’t go to the Centre today. Normally, I love my work, what I do, but today….
Instead, I lounge around in my apartment, vegging out watching daytime TV, bored with everything I see, but not knowing what else to do with myself.
Eventually, with a screaming need for…. something, I head out to my local bar. At least there I’ll be part of the human race.
The barman knows his job and knows when his customers simply want to drink in peace.
“Good evening, Michael. How are you?”
I nod, curtly. He looks surprised, then pours two fingers into a glass and slides it across the bar to me.
I sit, cradling my glass and staring into space.
The door swings open and James walks in, his face stony.
“I thought you were going to the Club?”
“Yes. I went.”
“You’re…. back early.”
He sits, taking the stool next to me, head down. I stare at him, then, “You too, huh?”
He nods, saying nothing, eyes downcast.
I wave the barman down for a refill and a second glass.
*****
I come crashing down into a monochrome life; work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, interspersed with too much time in bars. I don’t even have James for company as he’s out of town somewhere on his business.
Too many days.… Too many weeks…. All the same….
Something’s missing….
…. and I know what it is….
At the Centre, I’m about to call it a day, leave Jim to lock up. I’ve nothing to go home for; my apartment has always been simply somewhere to sleep, but I’ve got the blues and don’t feel like hanging around any longer.
Chloe’s there, in the gym, exercising hard as ever she does. Always before I’ve been pleased to see her as she invariably invites my company. And of course, I have always accepted.
“Hi, Michael. I’ve not seen you for a while.” She smiles and stretches, showing off her excellent and well-cared for figure. “Are you playing out this week?”
Sorry, Sweetheart….
“No, I don’t think so.” I say. “I’m not really in the mood.”
Her face drops, then she looks sceptical. “Not in the mood? You? When were you ever not in the mood?” Then she frowns. “You’re not ill, are you? Coming down with something?”
ever “No, I’m fine.”
No, I’m not….
She looks puzzled. Hands on hips, she measures me up and down. “Is it me? Have I done something to upset you?”
“No, Chloe. It’s not you at all. I think you’re lovely. I always have. You know that.” I give her a quick peck on the cheek to emphasise my point.
Then she peers up at me. “I don’t believe it…. It’s a girl, isn’t it? You finally fallen for someone. Who is it?”
Is it that obvious…?
“No-one you’d know.”
“Michael, how many women have you f****d with over the years…?”
Aw…. c’mon….
“I’ve no idea. I never counted.”
“And now you’ve finally fallen for one of them?” Then she looks more closely at me. “But it’s not working out is it?”
When I don’t reply she nudges me with her elbow and winks. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
*****
- Writer
