The Short Game

Sunday, March 20, 2016

I unlocked the seatbelt and leaned toward Anna-Lise. I'd tipped her chin up and was about to kiss her when Nadine's voice sliced through the silence.

"Garth! I thought you'd dumped that slut. What are you doing?"

The light died in Anna-Lise's eyes and she faced forward in the seat. "Get out."

"What?" My gaze cut to Nadine, who stood akimbo in my doorway. Why the hell hadn't I gotten my key back yesterday? Now wasn't the time to think about that because Anna-Lise was talking to me.

"You don't understand English?" She opened her mouth, speaking as if I'd developed a learning deficiency. "I said, get out!"

I opened the door and put one foot on the asphalt, my stomach sinking when I stared into her eyes. "But—"

She put the car in reverse and I protested, lifting my foot off the ground. "Lise, what I'm trying—"

"So help me Garth, if you don't get out now, I'm going to turn this car and fling you straight on the asphalt."

On my left, Nadine's voice had gotten louder, but I didn't hear a word she said. 

Anna-Lise stepped out of the Audi and I was sure my reputation would be ruined and I'd have to move, but all she did was pull the back door open and yank the crutch off the seat. She stomped around the car, ignored Nadine and chucked the crutch on the sidewalk. 

Struggling to stand before Anna-Lise got back in the car, I twisted my good ankle and stifled a curse word. When I stood on my own, Anna-Lise swung the car around and raced from the property, barely waiting for the security guard to raise the railing across the driveway. Seconds later, the car screeched and I winced. She'd gotten to the end of the avenue and made it to the main road.

I prayed she'd make it home in one piece.

I wanted to strangle Nadine, but what good would that do? After I got her to understand that our relationship was over, I'd give Anna-Lise time to cool off, but I didn't hold out much hope that she'd speak to me today or tomorrow for that matter.

I didn't have a choice about contacting her though, because she was driving my mother's car and besides that, I had to know if she got home safely considering the way she was driving and the fact that she was mad as hell.

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