All's fair

Julia observed the family scene unfold from her car. The setting reminded her of a mawkish greeting card commercial — large elegant home, tastefully landscaped. Although no people stood outside she expected the perfect wife and children would appear on cue.

A car pulled into the driveway. The car door opened and she watched him slip out of the sleek leather interior. Two little girls skipped down the walkway, and hugged the man.  An ethereal woman kissed him at the door. He cinched her waist tightly, offering himself and promising more. Julia tightly clinched the steering wheel, white knuckled, her face a study in anger as she watched their intimate exchange.

That man had offered and promised the same to her not so long ago. She experienced the joy of a his kisses and affection only to have him walk away to return to her. He always returned to HER. Needy, he came to Julia who welcomed him — then he drifted back to her.

“It’s over.” He told her weeks ago as they sat in their favorite restaurant at their special table. He didn’t have the decency to avert his gaze nor acknowledge the shocked look on her face. As often as they discussed their situation, he had never said, ‘It’s over’. 

He’s toying with me, she thought. She motioned to the salad she ordered for them to share. Once, he fed her this salad bite by bite 

“Let’s not start that yet! We haven’t touched our salad!”

With his fork she pierced the tender lettuce.  A chunk of blue cheese, mottled white and murky blue, crumbled and fell onto the bitter radicchio and endive leaves.

“Take a bite!” Julie purred. “I ordered ahead for you. It’s your favorite — you know you like it.”

He gently pushed her hand away.

“Julia,” he said. “It’s over. We’re over. It’s not fair to Katie.”

Julia’s chin jerked startled. “Not fair to Katie!”

“Katie and I are working out our problems.”

Julia wanted to throw the wine in his face and scream, but she remembered. He once told her if she ever caused a scene he would walk out forever. With an audible snap, the stem of the wine glass snapped in Julia’s fingers. Blood oozed down her hand staining the tablecloth. In alarm, a waiter rushed over with a napkin. Marcus stood up, mouthed the words “I’m sorry” and walked out of the restaurant. Julia felt her tears burn coursing down her cheeks.

“Forget about him.” Her co-worker Jeffrey said. “Find someone new.”

Jeffrey supported her through the tumultuous relationship with Marcus. Jeffrey never judged her or pushed himself on her; it had been easy to confide in him. In the months since the disastrous lunch, Jeffrey encourage her to go out. Julia talked more at work and went out with her co-workers. She even went to the restaurant night where no one showed up except Jeffrey. She looked normal on the outside and after she made it right, she would be normal on the inside.

She followed Marcus learning his schedule; every evening Marcus went to workout. She finalized her plan. Julia, and boozed-up Mary, would connect with Marcus at the health club, get him in the car, and drive West Virginia where everything would be made right. Her alibi was tight; Julia and Mary were going to West Virginia to a cabin for a wonderful adventure centering on booze and country boys. Mary wouldn’t remember the ride up there but that posed no problem. She feared exposing her alcoholism; Mary would cover up her blackout.  Mary’s blackout gave Julia time to complete the job.

Minutes before Marcus scheduled arrival, Julia pulled into the parking lot and found a secluded spot.  The car contained her supplies: duct tape, tarp, nail polish remover; and Mary, the perennially drunk co-worker who lay passed out in the passenger seat, the victim of too many tequila shots at happy hour. Julia drove Mary’s car. Mary began to stir groggily she sat up.

“We’re stopped?” She said. “Good! I gotta pee.”

Mary ran into the bushes behind the car. Disgusted, Julia did not stop her. She debated offering Mary the flask of vodka when she got back in the car or knocking her out with the nail polish remover. A few minutes passed; Julia worried. Where was Mary?

A tapping on window startled Julia. What was Mary doing? Was the door locked — No? Looking out she saw Jeffery. He opened the door and slid into Mary’s seat.

“Julia, what are you doing here?” Jeffrey asked.

“Jeffrey? I’m waiting for Mary.” That is true, she thought, I am waiting for Mary and where the hell is Mary?

“You’re following him aren’t you?” Jeffrey said eyes sweeping the car’s interior. The look on his face showed disapproval, disappointment and — something else.

“Certainly not!” she protested.

“Then why are you here?” He demanded.

“Mind your own business.” Julia responded. This was too much, she decided to abandon the project tonight. All she needed now was to put Jeffrey in his place and wait for drunk Mary to stumble back to the car.

“Mary’s outside.” Jeffrey said. “Marcus isn’t here yet.”

“Marcus comes here?” Julia asked casually.

Jeffrey’s demeanor changed. The lines on his face smoothed as he leaned toward her.

“Marcus isn’t the right guy for you. You deserve better. He’s gone back to his wife and you should move on too.”

Julia snorted. “Jeffrey, I’m not here because I want to get back with Marcus. I’ve moved beyond him, I’m just here to sever the last ties.”

Jeffrey’s shoulders, which had been tensed, relaxed. He smiled warmly, almost longingly at her. Julia noticed that he squirmed in his seat.

“Oh wow! That’s good to hear.” Jeffrey gushed. “Because I was thinking that it’s time for us to take our relationship further.”

“Whoa, what relationship?” Said Julia. Obliviously, Jeffrey had feelings for her. Maybe Mary set her up for Jeffrey to find them tonight? How did Jeffrey know about Marcus and the health club? Jeffrey looked smug and Julia smoldered.

“Jeffrey, how did you know about Marcus being at the health club? And what about OUR relationship going further? What do you mean? We’re co-workers; we’re not dating.”

Jeffrey sat up stiffly. “I know about Marcus because I follow you, every night, and you follow him. I started following you after you blew off our last date. You sit outside his house and watch what’s going on in his bedroom, until he turns out the light.”

“You’re following me?” Julia said shocked. “I never blew off a date with you because —we’re not dating.”

“We are too dating!” Jeffrey pouted. “We go to happy hours and bowling. I setup the restaurant night and we ate together.”

Jeffrey’s hand slid down the dashboard covering hers.

“Those weren’t dates!” Julia exclaimed pulling her hand away. “I went out with the people at work because you kept pushing me. You’re my FRIEND, and I wanted to make you happy.”

“And you did make me happy!” gushed Jeffrey. “That’s why I’m here now. I can’t let you slink back to Marcus now that we are together!”

“Jeffrey, there never was nor will be anything between us. You’re a friend — nothing more. I’m leaving!” Julia gritted her teeth. Where was Mary? This situation was getting out of control. Julia left the car. Screw it, she thought. I’ll take a cab home and let Mary figure her way out of this.  In disgust, she strutted through the parking lot leaving Jeffrey behind.

A car pulled in, obstructing her exit. The driver of the car quickly pressed the brakes to avoid hitting her. Their eyes met and while hers narrowed his widened in shock. This situation can’t get any worse, Julia realized. The driver of the car was Marcus. He slipped the car into park and opened his door.

Quickly, Julia crossed in front of the car ignoring him.  Behind her an engine revved and rumbled. Jeffrey yelled her name but Julia ignored him. Men! Men were the cause of all her trouble. Maybe she could try being a lesbian. Jeffrey was screaming and the roaring grew louder. Julia spun around to see why Jeffrey was going crazy.



That’s when the bumper hit her. As Julia flew into the air she heard Marcus screaming her name with genuine concern. She landed heavily on the hood the car breathless and dazed. Gasping and bloody, she rolled painfully and looked into the driver’s face.

“Mary?” Julia whispered confused.  She tried to sit up but her arms wouldn’t move and her legs hung limply. Funny, this isn’t very painful — she thought.

More shouts, footsteps, and in the distance a siren, Julia blinked and tried to make sense of it all. As she lost consciousness someone stood over her. It was Mary. She leaned over Julia gasping.

“Why did you do that to Jeffrey? You are so cruel and unfair to him.”