Violet
684 Words
Violet“You okay, hon?” Nina asked as we walked to my car.
“Huh? Oh yea. I’m fine. I knew it was a long shot. Besides, Shane, remember him?”
“I do, but I think you forgot about him for a split second.”
“No, I didn’t. How can I forget about my boyfriend?”
“Mmhm. So, how are things?”
“They’re good!” I faked cheeriness.
“Girl, don’t lie to me. I’m your best friend. How are things really?”
“Ugh. Nina!” I said, annoyed as I climbed into the driver’s seat. “I don’t even know anymore. Hot one minute, cold the next. Although, it’s been quite a few minutes since we were hot, if you know what I mean.”
“Ooo girl, how long?”
“Six weeks…”
“Okay, a month and a half. A month and half isn’t… that bad. People get busy, you get tired.”
“No, you didn’t let me finish. Six weeks since the last time that I tried.”
“Oh.”
“Yea.”
“So how long has it been since you have actually ‘been hot’?”
“Months. Like five.”
“Damn.”
“I thought maybe there was someone else, but I don’t know when he’d see them. All he does is sit in his recliner, drinking beer and watching the sports network.”
“Damn.”
“One time I went and bought this sexy black baby doll lingerie and matching thong panties. I brought him a beer and just stood there waiting, all he did was say ‘thanks babe’ gave me an air kiss and a smack on the ass, then continued watching TV. It was a damn commercial, Nina!”
“Damn.”
“Yea. The last time I tried, I bought a brand-new Buffalo Bombers jersey. I left it unbuttoned down to my stomach and had nothing on underneath. I was feeling sexy as hell. I went into the den and asked him if he liked my new jersey, he nodded. So, I said Shane, babe, look at me. He looked, nodded and went right back to watching the f*****g TV! I stepped in front of him to try and catch his eye and he shifted to look around me. In a last-ditch effort, I went into the kitchen and grabbed a beer. Then went back in the den, opened the jersey all the way and handed him the beer. Nothing! Not even a thank you. I went to bed so frustrated that night, I grabbed my ‘buddy’ out of my drawer but I was so depressed I couldn’t even do anything. I ended up crying myself to sleep that night. After that I said forget it. I’m done trying.”
“Damn.”
“Can you say anything besides, damn?”
“Yea, but damn.”
“Agreed. Sad thing is he used to be good, Nina. I mean good. He was the best besides…” I paused. “He was good.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know what to do. I mean he’s not a bad guy. It’s not like he’s mean or abusive or anything, he just isn’t… anything. Once he gets home and, in that chair, it’s over. Out in public he’s charming, witty, and affectionate. Then at home, nada.”
“Have you said anything about it to him?”
“Yes, he thinks I’m being dramatic and swears that ‘we just did it the other day’. He’s not ‘a machine, just a man’ and I should cut him some slack. He works hard all day and when he comes home, he’s tired.”
“Are you sure there isn’t someone else? You know they say if he isn’t getting it from you, he’s getting it from somewhere.”
“Who is ‘they’? And yes, I’m about ninety-nine percent positive.”
“Is he coming to the reunion?”
“Yea. He said he’s coming to the dance on Saturday but not sure about anything else. I think working at the University makes him feel bad sometimes. Ya know? He had high hopes and then he got hurt.”
“Yea, but life happens. He shouldn’t feel bad. He’s got a great job and those young men love him.”
“I know. I tell him that all the time, but I guess when you were that close to the pros and lose it, it messes with you.”
“So, ‘Lettie’,” she winked and smiled at the never used nickname. “I have to ask… do you think HE will show up?”
“Girl, not! That man is too busy and famous to come to our little reunion.
Three
- Writer
