Forty

A slice of reconstituted pizza and half an apple later I faced the dilemma of how to amuse myself for the day. Normally it'd be a question of net surfing and blogging. But I was restless and still peeved that my adouring public couldn't be bothered to comment me their advice. But that was nothing compared to Lisa. Despite my determination not to, I blogged a quick entry.

Thanks for all your freakin' help.

Not that you care, but I'm really worried about Lisa. She STILL hasn't called. What's with that? She thinks she can keep me hanging? Well I'm not that kind of guy, no matter how hot she is. Maybe I should ring Mike.

It was sounding like a definite plan. I could act like I was concerned about him and see how things had gone. That was legitimate. In truth, I was concerned about him. I just needed to get my own things in order before I could really feel and act it.

I had picked up the receiver and was dialing his number when there was a tap on my garage door. I hung up.

Pulling the door up revealed two sets of feet, tight pants and a flapping purple dress. 'Oh, hey,' I said, thinking that this was just about the worse scenario for this early in the morning.

Lisa grinned her secret grin that said everything I wanted it to. 'Nina thought it'd be nice to stop by and say hi,' she said. Nina looked away but she smiled through the red that was so obvious on her otherwise appliance-white skin.

'Um... cool. Come in.' 'Cause this isn't going to be awkward at all. We single filed through the garage, Lisa hanging back and winking at me. Des note: danger turns her on.

'So how is... everything?' I asked. Her cheek was purple now, but beginning to fade to yellow around the edges.

'I've moved out,' she said like a weather observation.

'Huh? Just like that? Where?' And why wasn't she moving in with me?

'A unit. Not far. Nina helped me pick it yesterday... after your... cake date.' She arched an eyebrow, but she had her back to Nina who's face retreated back to simulated sunburn.

'Oh, right,' I said, unable to defend myself.

The phone rang. I dived on it.

'She's gone, man.' I wouldn't have known who it was, so strained was the voice, but my slight psychic streak kicked in (after I looked at caller ID).

'Mike?'

'You were right all along. I should have listened. She's just a gold-digging-hoe, a two timing slut. It's over. Bitch has left.'

Lisa and Nina gazed at me as I listened to Mike. If he had said that to me a week ago I would have been pleased, knowing in the long term he would be better off rid of her. But now it angered me. He just didn't know her properly - and he hadn't treated her right. What the hell did he expect? Still, I'd never heard him so distraught. 'Maybe I should come over?'

'Yeah,' said Mike through a snivel.

'Just sit tight, I'll be half an hour.'

Lisa licked her lips. 'How is he?' she asked after I hung up.

'He sounds terrible. I better go check on him.'

Lisa nodded. I grabbed my wallet and keys. Lisa pushed a scrap of paper into my palm as I brushed by her. I slipped it in my pocket.

As we left via the garage I squizzed a look at it: her new address.

We said our farewells. 'You're a good friend, Des,' added Nina as the girls walked away.

'Yeah,' I replied quietly. The best. Lisa's address crinkled in my pocket as I got into the car.

Forty One