for cris
But she stood there for a moment, in silent admiration of their infidelity. The word brought back unsettling memories, and she sneaked her way towards the liquor cabinet. She stumbled back to the table, where Farkas was showing Emily a medal he obtained in the Navy. Something about Blind Patriotism and Unwavering Dedication. Emily smiled her big smile, though understood little of what he was saying, "Uh-huh."
He told her stories from Boot Camp, not really hearing himself speak. His mind, as always, lingered on Zoe. He thought back to the night he fell in love with her. It had been a Friday night, and somehow, he had found himself at a girl's house. That other people were there didn't matter. In fact, it made it more special, because when they sat to watch a movie, of all the possibilities, she chose to sit at his feet, her back resting against his legs. She threw her arm back awkwardly over her shoulder and placed her hand on his thigh. A simple movement, and he was hers.
The kitchen door swung open. Nate took a seat next to Adi, quietly thanking Chris for sitting next to Emily. Zoe stood at the kitchen door, rubbing her lips absent-mindedly, her head elsewhere.
Sensing an awkward silence, and afraid of what might come from one, Nate turned to Cris. "So, what brings you here, Regina?"
Cris sipped at the dark liquid in her glass. She wasn't even sure what it was anymore. Everyone leaned in after she gulped it down, expecting some fantastic tale of tragedy.
But she just drank. She couldn't tell them why she was there. Not because she didn't want them to hear, btu because she simply didn't know. "Why, the alcohol, of course."
Nate gave up his noble attempt for some kind of conversation, and went into his own head for a while. He twisted his wedding band around his finger. He caught a glimpse of Zoe looking at him. Then he felt it. A pang of just flat-out pain. Like a cramp in mid-sleep. It felt like a premature mid-life crisis. His life suddenly felt empty to him, meaningless. Sure, he had published a few bestsellers, something Cris and Adi could never forgive him for. And sure, he had sold half a million copies of a self-produced rock album. But here he was, married to a blonde. He'd never had a beer for Christ's sake. "Fuck it!" He said to no one. Emily gasped, ashamed. He yanked the glass out of Adi's hands and chugged the remains, wincing as the alcohol first touched his lips
He told her stories from Boot Camp, not really hearing himself speak. His mind, as always, lingered on Zoe. He thought back to the night he fell in love with her. It had been a Friday night, and somehow, he had found himself at a girl's house. That other people were there didn't matter. In fact, it made it more special, because when they sat to watch a movie, of all the possibilities, she chose to sit at his feet, her back resting against his legs. She threw her arm back awkwardly over her shoulder and placed her hand on his thigh. A simple movement, and he was hers.
The kitchen door swung open. Nate took a seat next to Adi, quietly thanking Chris for sitting next to Emily. Zoe stood at the kitchen door, rubbing her lips absent-mindedly, her head elsewhere.
Sensing an awkward silence, and afraid of what might come from one, Nate turned to Cris. "So, what brings you here, Regina?"
Cris sipped at the dark liquid in her glass. She wasn't even sure what it was anymore. Everyone leaned in after she gulped it down, expecting some fantastic tale of tragedy.
But she just drank. She couldn't tell them why she was there. Not because she didn't want them to hear, btu because she simply didn't know. "Why, the alcohol, of course."
Nate gave up his noble attempt for some kind of conversation, and went into his own head for a while. He twisted his wedding band around his finger. He caught a glimpse of Zoe looking at him. Then he felt it. A pang of just flat-out pain. Like a cramp in mid-sleep. It felt like a premature mid-life crisis. His life suddenly felt empty to him, meaningless. Sure, he had published a few bestsellers, something Cris and Adi could never forgive him for. And sure, he had sold half a million copies of a self-produced rock album. But here he was, married to a blonde. He'd never had a beer for Christ's sake. "Fuck it!" He said to no one. Emily gasped, ashamed. He yanked the glass out of Adi's hands and chugged the remains, wincing as the alcohol first touched his lips