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And there’s that word again. “Where were you six weeks ago?”
“If anyone deserves a second chance it’s you, Dixon,” she kindly says, but she’s wrong.
“Maybe you could talk to Madison on my behalf?” I tease, ignoring the ping of emotion I feel for her constant loyalty toward me.
“No one can do that but you.”
We’re silent for a few moments, the sounds of New York our background noise. “If you were her, would you forgive me?”
She turns and looks at me closely. “Love makes you do stupid things.”
I nod, taking what she’s just said on board. But I can’t figure out if she’s calling me stupid or not. We ride the rest of the way in silence.
When I pull up to her modest brownstone home in Brooklyn, I ask, “Would you like me to walk you in?”
She unbuckles her seat belt with a mischievous smile. “I wouldn’t want the neighbors to talk.”
I smirk at her spunk.
“See you tomorrow, Dr. Mathews.”
“Yes you will, Ms. Vale.” She waves me good night and closes the door behind her.
I idle by the sidewalk, procrastinating as long as I can. I don’t want to do this, but it’s the end of the line. Blowing out a frustrated breath of air, I know it’s time to face the music.
The drive to Queens should take roughly forty minutes. It takes me over an hour. However, it’s not that I’m nervous about facing Juliet, more that I’m putting off going home to see Madison. I’ve used this drive to figure out what I’ll tell her, but nothing can prepare me for such a talk. It’s all or nothing. I’m ready to give her my all.
Pulling up at the dump motel, I get out of the car and set the alarm. I’ll be very surprised if it’ll still be here when I return. I pass a guy on the corner who not so inconspicuously asks if I want a blowjob for fifteen bucks. I thank him for his kind offer, but grab my nuts as I pass him to find room 205.
The empty swimming pool is now home to an assortment of unwanted furniture and a family of raccoons. This place should have been closed down months ago, but as I look around and see most of the lights are on in the rooms, I can’t help but wonder if they’re here by choice, or if most are conducting unpleasant business just like me.
Room 205 is up a flight of stairs which is missing half its railing. I manage to get up them without breaking a leg. The walk down the passageway is akin to a death match, but I block out the wails of screaming babies, drunken fights, and impassioned moans and focus on the issue at hand—getting Juliet out of my life for good. Once this is done, I’ll be free.
When I get to the room, I see the faded maroon door is slightly ajar. This is so incredibly dangerous, considering where we are. I quickly enter and shut the door behind me. There’s a dim light streaming out from under the bathroom doorway.
“Juliet?” I call out. “I’m here.”
I scan my surroundings in disgust. The ghastly floral bedspread, the vomit-colored carpet, and the stained yellowwalls confirm that this place is just as ugly on the inside as it is on the outside—a bit like Juliet.
I really wish she would hurry the hell up. I feel like I’m catching a disease just by breathing in the sordid air. “Juliet!” I bark, taking a step toward the bathroom door.
But as the door slowly opens, nothing could ever prepare me for what I’m about to see.
“How could you?” gasps the girl, whose heart I’ve just shattered into smithereens.
“I can explain.” But I can’t. There is no explanation worthy enough to excuse why I’m here.
“Well?” The single, slow-falling tear which traces a path down her porcelain cheek highlights what a true bastard I really am.
“I-I…” Fuck! What am I even trying to say? Where do I start? When was the exact moment this all turned to shit?
“Just like I thought.” She spins on her heel and scampers toward the door.
“Madison, wait! Please hear me out.”
“Why, Dixon? To hear more of your lies!”
“Maddy, please,” I plead, reaching out and latching onto her arm like the desperate man I am.
