“If this is some sort of setup—” Zebulund whispers.
“I care too much about my career to risk it,” Roe interrupts.
Zebulund studies him closely. “Fine.”
“We stick to the script. I say I regret my actions and am donating to your charity. You say that you believe the allegations are a lie. We both win.”
I ball my fists. No way. No freaking way. These two are in cahoots now.
Zebulund scratches his chin causing an audible rasp against his five o’clock shadow. I see up close that his eyes are bruised. His skin sags around his eyes and his pallor is ashen. Have I caused him a little stress? At this point that would be the best-case scenario.
“I’m going to mention my lawsuit for libel against her, too. She started this fight. She gets what’s coming at her,” he declares.
“Sounds good. Helps discredit what she did to me too,” Roe says. “You sure you want Nancy to talk?”
“Yes. People love the wives standing by their men.”
They both inspect the woman as she smiles sweetly and sways.
“You better make sure she can stand at all,” Roe says. It’s like a stranger talking.
He’s so angry. My heart drops to my feet. Even hearing him, I still can’t fully accept it. It doesn’t match up with the Roe I know. It doesn’t make sense.
He heads out to the yard and I feel myself growing thirsty and tired and somehow even more sad. I’m about to follow him back out to get my clothes when Zebulund speaks to his wife.
From a few feet away it could look like he’s caressing her but as I step closer I see that his hand is gripped hard on the back of her neck. Her face is forced toward him.
“How are you, baby?” His tone is almost sympathetic. Almost. He pulls out a silver case and rattles it. It’s like Pavlov’s bell, causing her eyes to shine for just a moment. “You need another one? Glass of wine?”
Her eyes dim again but she shakes her head once, slowly.
“You know I love you, right? I go through all this for you? For our life. I want you to have everything. I love you.”
“I know. I love you, too.” She raises a hand to his cheek.
“That’s a good girl.” He leans in to kiss her ear and her eyes shut. Fresh hatred and sickness spiral through me.
I regret ever judging her. She’s as much his victim as the rest of us. If not worse. She’s chained to him by money and paperwork.
I can’t watch any longer so I make my way outside. I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to try to understand why Roe would align himself with pure evil.
Back behind the shower I get dressed, come back Up, and make my way back to Mrs. J. She held my chair with her fur muff.
“Wow, thanks for the drink,” she says dryly.
I blink at her. It takes me a minute to remember. “Oh. Sorry. I got sidetracked.”
“Are you okay, toots?”
“I don’t think so. Can I please take you home?”
“Just a little longer.” She puts her arm around my slumped shoulders.
Why won’t Mrs. J. let me go? I’m not needed here. I’d rather be a million miles away if Roe’s going to say hard things about me, even if I deserve it.
Roe trudges up the podium’s stairs like a politician caught cheating. He scans the crowd but for once he doesn’t see me. I’m just another blonde in the crowd. Has he ever seen me?
Yes. He always has.
