“Sure, man. You still got your shit packed in storage?” Chrisasks.
“Yeah. Most of it. Some of it’s at our folks’ place,too.”
“Cool. You need to bring any of it over?”
“Na, man. I’ve got what I need.”
“Yeah, a rich ex-wife.” Dan teases.
I givemy brother a look. He reads my mind. “Let’s get the fuck out ofhere before he gets tanked and really pisses me off.” I say tohim.
“Dan, thanks, man. I’m outta here.” I salute him, grabbing mybag from the front door. “I’ll get the rest of my shitlater.”
“Where are you going?” he asks, as if he didn’t just bring onall the insults.
“I’m…going to stay at Chris’s for now, man. I’ll still watchthe house for you, but I’m not staying here anymore. I want us tostay friends, and I don’t think that’s the way to doit.”
“And you think living with your brother’s going to be anybetter?”
I smirkbut don’t answer. “I’ll see ya.”
***
Stupidly, I finished the bender I’d started at Dan’s house,when Chris went to bed. He works the early morning shift, so he’sas practiced as a senior citizen with heading off before the sungoes down. As I sit on the couch, drunk as a skunk, I startruminating over my failed marriage. Before I know it, I’mdrunk-dialing this chick I once cheated on Ellie with. It was along time ago, and Ellie knew about it, so it’s cool. It was beforewe were married. Long before. In fact, sometimes I wonder why sheever forgave me for that, and married me, too.
The girlis married, but it doesn’t matter. She was married then, too.Rosie’s married to this really rich dude that can’t get it upanymore, so, not that I’ve asked, but, I think that they have oneof them open marriages, since he can’t please her. At least, that’sthe impression I got years ago, when we slept together. She’scalled me a couple of times since then, but Ellie and I were stillworking through our own shit, so I blew her off, but now that I’msingle again, and very drunk, it’s the best time to call an oldfriend.
Rosieanswers on the first ring. “Hey, stranger. Long time nohear.”
“Yeah.” I scoff a laugh. “How the hell are you.”
“I’m great. I heard you and Ellie split. Saw your house up forsale.”
“Yeah. It’s over.”
“Aw,” she simpers. “Poor baby. Are you looking for somecompany?”
“Yeah, actually. I’m a little drunk though.”
“So am I.” she chuckles. “You wanna meetsomewhere?”
“Sure.”
“How about I come pick you up?”
“Thought you said you were drunk?”
“I am. I’ve got a driver.”
Oh, wow.She’s really moved up in the world. “Oh, okay. Sure. Sounds great.”I give her the address. “I’ll meet you outside. When should I headout?”
Shetells me. “I’ll see you then, baby.” She purrs before hangingup.
When shepulls up, I have to laugh. By ‘driver’ she meant ‘limo driver’. Iget into the back seat, after the limo driver actually gets out ofthe vehicle and opens the door for me. Rosie’s inside, pouring me aglass of wine, as she closes the privacy glass. “Hey, you. I’m gladyou called.”
“Nice set up.” I compliment, sitting down, taking the glass.“The old man away?”
Shenods. “Yeah. He’s in Europe.”
