Ten minutes later, I sat in the cushioned chair next to the bed watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful laying flat on her stomach. Not a care in the world.

*****

I came in the house to sounds of the stereo blasting and sights of her dancing around the room. She looked happy.

I reached for the remote and turned it off. She spun around surprised by me standing there.

“Tee, why did you turn that off?” she asked grabbing for the remote.

“Wait a minute,” I said holding it behind my back.

“Why so serious?” she laughed.

“Im not laughing.”

She dropped her efforts of claiming the remote. And her smile.

“Tell me who joined us in the bed last night.”

Her eyes narrowed in confusion.

“Dont look at me crazy. That…,” I began getting flustered, ” it did not feel right.”

I waved my hands toward the bedroom.

“You came in here drunk, Bette. Barely making it through the door. Calling…”

I almost couldnt say it.

“Tell me who it was.”

“Tell you who who was?”

“Tell me who it was,” I said again.

She squinted her eyes more trying to remember last night.

“Who ever it was she was, she on your mind. You stuttered a name that didnt sound like mine.”

Nothing.

“Your silence right now could jeopardize you and I.”

“Tina… Tina…”

“Choose you words carefully, Bette.”

“I, uh, I…”

I became so frustrated with her trying to walk around the question that I sat down on the couch.

“You left home early…. and you came home late. I know that something is going on. Tell me what it is. What does she have that I dont?” I sighed.

She stood there avoiding eye contact with me.

“I just want to know that truth, Bette.”

Nothing.

“Look at me. Look at me!” I screamed closing the distance between us.

Her eyes grew big with tears.

“TELL ME!” I screamed in her face.

“Tee,” she breathed.

“For the first time… youve been played for a fool, babe. She cant love you like I do. She cant take care of you like I do.”

“I didnt…”

“You can say what you want to…” I began hugging her, ” but last night you brought someone home with you,” I whispered in her ear.

I dropped my arms. I walked away from her.

I pulled my suitcase from out of the hall closet and threw it on the bed.

Our bed.

I piled any clothes I could grab in less than a minute.

I walked past her and out the door.