What a fucking mess I'd made. And instead of finally getting one evening without clients or bridal gowns getting in the way, I was here with Rob, dousing my problems in whiskey and french fries.
I'd known I was fucking it all up before I grabbed my things and stormed out like the tyrant Zelda accused me of being. But I'd still felt an overwhelming urge to keep anyone from destroying the carefully constructed system I had in place. I needed things to work a certain way and I didn't know what I'd do if it collapsed on me.
Zelda probably knew what to do. She probably had plans and structures to handle that very event in the time it took me to pick out a tie. I couldn't figure out how she did it, how she saw solutions where I'd knocked my head against a wall for a year.
She was right about me not fighting fair too. I'd really fucked up there. I didn't have a good excuse—not that I deserved to be excused—for my reaction. It violated everything we'd agreed upon and I had to fix that. I had to make it better.
Zelda didn't show it when she was hurt. She didn't lash out or melt down. She just took it and I didn't know anything for sure but I had the sense she'd taken more than her share. I hated that, but more so, I hated being another person who did that to her.
"When you say 'field of flowers,'" I started, "what do you mean by that?"
Rob swapped his plate for mine and swiftly yanked the tomato off the burger. "With Magnolia, it's at least ten new houseplants. But that's Magnolia. Houseplants might not work on Zelda. What does she love?"
I was prepared to confess that I didn't know but I realized that wasn't accurate. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and fired off a response to Zelda's newest message.
Ash,
This isn't how resignations work. When someone says "I'm out," you aren't allowed to debate that choice with them.
Please make an attempt at understanding.
Zelda
Zelda,
I understand completely but that doesn't mean I have to accept it. I'll be home soon.
Ash
Hopping off the stool,I clapped Rob on the back, saying, "Good meeting. Thanks for the drink. I gotta go."
* * *
Ash,
If you won't permit me to do the work necessary to keep your office moving along, there's no reason for me to work there. I would expect you to know this, given your ongoing concerns for efficiency.
Zelda
* * *
Zelda,
Traffic is the fucking worst today and everything is taking twice as long but we need to pause this conversation until I get home. I don't like talking to you when I can't enjoy the faces you're making.
Ash
* * *
When I arrived,I searched the apartment until I found Zelda in the most unlikely of places: the dryer.
Rather, only part of her was in the dryer, her legs hanging out the open door.
For the second time in a matter of hours, I asked, "Zelda, what the hell are you doing?"
"Of fucking course," sounded from inside the appliance. "Why can't Ieverdo these things without an audience?"
I decided I didn't need the details this time. "All right, love," I said, straddling her legs. "Let's get you out of there."
