Page 70 of Consumed By You

Bullshit.

He doesn’t seem fooled. He raises his eyebrows and purses his full lips before he goes back to cleaning the glasses.

“I’ll see you tomorrow? Are you working?” I ask, heading to the door. A couple almost runs into me as they enter the bar. I recognize them. Regulars. Rum and coke for the man, Shirley Temple for the woman.

“I’ll be here. Hey, take it easy, you hear me?”

I roll my eyes and walk out into the chilly autumn breeze.

***

I make a quick stop at an AT&T store on my way home, knowing full well it’s time for some changes. I need a phone that isn’t from the dinosaur ages.

“Welcome!” a young woman with bleached white hair exclaims with forced enthusiasm. I head straight for her, knowing I shouldn’t even bother looking at the different cell phones on display. I wouldn’t know a thing about them.

“Hi, I’d like to buy a cell phone. A new one.”

I place my Nokia on the glass counter and she raises her perfect eyebrows. “Yes, I can see you need one.”

After nearly an hour of listening to her drone on about Androids and iPhones, I decide on a Galaxy. Thankfully, she explains the different functions of the phone to me before I leave, and I am feeling surprisingly accomplished. I’m in the real world now.

***

From: Benjamin Scott

To: Darcy Fontaine

Subject: Been a few days

I hope you are doing well. I wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything.

Benjamin Scott

CEO, Scott Industries

My eyes are transfixed on the screen of my phone in silence, not understanding why he’s written me. Does he want to torture me?

It’s nine o’clock at night.Whyis he writing me? I leave the phone on the table and go throw my uneaten cereal into the garbage disposal.

Should I write back? Is he expecting me to?

I shouldn’t. I know already that this can only end badly for me. I should delete the message and forget him.

Against the wishes of my brain, my heart sends movements into my shaking fingers and before I know it, I’m writing a reply.

From: Darcy Fontaine

To: Benjamin Scott

Subject: RE: Been a few days

I’m doing well.

How are you?

Good. Cool. Calm. Collected.

Fuck yeah, Darcy! You can do this. Stand your ground.