Goodbyes
1540 Words
We're immediately seated. We ordered wine for the table, but I decided on water. I can't drink now that I'm pregnant. Since no one knows about the pregnancy but me and Liam, the only person who speaks up is Lilly.
Lilly: Water?
Me: What's wrong with that?
Lilly: Where at an expensive restaurant and you order water?
Me: Well.....
Liam taps on his glass with a knife. He grabs my hand and smiles at me. It's time.
Liam: So I would like to make a toast to the expansion of our little group. We have a new addition coming.
Lilly: Awww you didn't have to. I mean you already knew I wa--
She stops when she realizes everyone is looking at her weirdly. Then she makes her usual shocked face.
Lilly: I'll be quiet.
Liam: Well Lilly's figured it out, but Melanie and I ar--
Kai: Sorry, I'm late.
Why is he here? And he brought Sara. I know we're somewhat friends and all, but I don't want him here for this announcement. He slides into the booth next to Leon. I tugged on Liam's arm, signaling to wait, but he shook his head no. He looks dead at Kai.
Liam: Melanie and I are having a baby.
Kai bumps the table, spilling Gwen's wine glass all over the table. She looked over at Kai like she was ready to murder him. I don't need this right now. I excused myself and headed to the bathroom. This night is ruined. While I'm in the bathroom trying to calm my nerves, Gwen comes in. I don't make eye contact with her.
Gwen: Melanie, you ok?
Me: Honestly, no.
Gwen: Kai?
Me: Yes! Like he just keeps popping up. Why can't he take the hint? It doesn't help keeps dragging Sara around.
Gwen: Can I be honest with you hun?
Me: Yes.
Gwen: Cut ties entirely. I see how he looks at you, and it will only end badly if this continues.
Me: But how? I keep telling him we aren't getting back together, but he doesn't listen.
Gwen: I know, but he needs you to know all ties are done completely.
I think about what she just said and she's right. His reaction just now let me know everything. We can't be in the same room together. No more movie nights. No more game nights. No more anything. She gives me a hug before heading back to everyone. I leave a few minutes later and take my seat back next to Liam. Everyone starts congratulating us. Everyone but Kai.
I felt a kick under the table and looked around to find Gwen looking at me. She nods her head, signaling me to take it out towards the exit. I know what she means.
Me: Kai, can I speak with you for a moment?
Kai: Yeah.
Liam: Gira--
Me: I'll be right back. I promise.
Sara: Liam, can we talk too?
Liam: Hell no.
Mr. Elec: Actually Sara, we need to talk.
Mr. Elec pulls Sara off to the side. I walked towards the exit with Kai in tow. I know this will be upsetting, but it has to be done. I get ready to speak when he beats me to it.
Kai: Melanie, are you really pregnant?
Me: Yes.
Kai: I thought there was still a chance for us, Melanie.
Me: No Kai. There will never be an us again. I'm with Liam and I'm happy. We're about to get married and start a famil--
Kai: Dammit Melanie, I don't want to hear about anything involving the two of you! Just end it!
Me: Your with Sara! Why keep this mindset of me and you?!
Kai: I'M NOT WITH HER!
Me: Why is she here then?
Kai: She thinks were engaged, but I never proposed.
Me: Kai, that's not the point of this talk. The point is, our friendship is over.
I turned to leave, and he grabbed my arm. Damn near pulling it out of the socket. I'm trying to break free, but I can't. He's pulling me down the sidewalk to a back alley. He throws me against the wall, running his hand up my thigh. I can't believe he would try this. I was about to scream when I saw a fist come flying at Kai's face. Liam just starts wailing on him. Kai is damn near a bloody pulp. I grabbed Liam.
Liam: Melanie let me go!
Me: Liam Please.
Liam: I swore if he touched you again. Dad take Melanie back to the restaurant. I'll finish this.
Me: LIAM STOP IT NOW!
Liam: WHY SO HE CAN TRY THIS AGAIN?!
Mr. Elec: Liam listen to her.
LIAM: I WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS DISRESPECT ANYMORE!
Me: LIAM! PLEASE FOR ME!
I grabbed his bloodied hands. I kissed him, touching our foreheads together. His fists are still balled up. I can tell by his heart beat he is at his limit and not in a good way. I need to calm him down.
Me: Liam come back to me.
Liam: MELANIE!
Me: Shhh. Liam come back to me baby. I'm here. Your here. That's all that matters. Me, you, and the baby.
He looks down at my belly and rubs it. I don't care about him getting blood on my dress. His heart rate starts to slow back down to normal. We started to leave, but Kai had to get the last word. He slowly stands up and spits out blood along with a tooth.
Kai: I will have her
Liam: Over my dead body.
Kai: Arrangements can be made for that.
Mr. Elec: Kai, go home or--
Kai: Or what? I'm fired? Well, I've got news for you. I quit!
Me: Kai! You promised me to do right by--
Kai: I promised you s**t Melanie! I never said I would.
I see Liam balling his fist again. I grabbed his hand to stop him. I was focused on the wrong person. All I see is Mr. Elec with his hand at Kai's throat. He has him pressed against the wall.
Mr Elec: Well, since you're not my employee anymore, I don't have to work about the repercussions. You f**k with any of my children or Melanie again, and it'll be the last time you f**k with anyone.
He lets him go and Kai drops to the ground. He starts coughing. He looks up at me. I just turned away and walked back to the restaurant with Liam.
Kai: Melanie!
I ignored him, calling my name. We walked back into the restaurant, leaving Kai outside. Mr. Elec lets the host know Kai is not allowed back in. He also asked that Sara be escorted out. Apparently Mr. Elec conversation with Sara was that she was being fired. We get back to the table, order dinner, and enjoy the rest of our night before going home.
We arrive home, Gwen and Mr. Elec with us. Everyone else went home. Gwen heads to the kitchen and grabs a bottle of whiskey, and they all take a shot. I head upstairs when Liam grabs my arm.
Liam: I'm sorry I ruined our night.
Me: You didn't ruin it.
Mr. Elec: I'm sorry for ruining it.
Me: No one ruined anything.
Gwen: I never should have told you to talk to him.
Liam: You told her to talk to him?!
Gwen: Yeah, he needed to hear it from her that they were nothing.
Liam: What do you think she's been saying?! One day we'll get back together, but first I'm going to marry Liam, have his baby, then take you back?!
Me: Don't yell at her. She was just trying to help.
Mr. Elec: Liam, you need to calm down. Take a shot.
Liam: Gimme a double!
Gwen pours him a double and he downs it. While they are taking shots and trying to calm Liam down, I make my way upstairs. They continued to talk. I'm exhausted, so I get undressed and go straight to bed.
I wake up around noon to find Liam isn't in bed. I checked the bathroom and nothing. I made my way downstairs to find Liam, Gwen, and their dad all passed out in the living room. The bottle of whiskey is empty. I laughed to myself and shook my head. I head into the kitchen and start brewing coffee. Once it's finished, I put it on a tray along with water and set it on the table. After a few minutes, the smell starts waking them up.
Me: Late night?
All: My head.
Me: Feel like I missed something.
They all reach for the coffee. I go grab myself a glass of juice and return to join them. Liam drinks some coffee then downs his water. He gets up and heads upstairs.
Liam: I'm sorry about last night girasole.
Gwen: You do know that's a huge ass flower. Why not margherita(daisy) or rosa(rose)?
Liam: Because she is the light when I enter a dark place and I think girasole fits her.
Gwen: Whatever.
Mr. Elec: Well, I'm going home. Gwen?
Gwen: Yeah I'm coming.
We say our goodbyes. I followed Liam upstairs. Goes straight to the bathroom to puke. I quietly laughed. My poor baby.
- Writer
