When he arrived at Mike’s front door, Keithe knew once again that his friend wouldn’t say anything harsh. He didn’t have to. This time Keithe knew it was time to pour out his soul to someone. Since it couldn’t be his wife, because she had now become his ultimate nemesis, his best friend would have to do.
It was as if he were becoming a permanent traveler instead of a lawyer. That’s something he would have to get straight also.
“A leave of absence,” he idly voiced. “Maybe even a change in scenery will do the trick,” he thought aloud. Whatever his decision was, Keithe knew his plans would no longer surround Michelle after their divorce.
Instantly, his chest warmed underneath his shirt as he thought about Stoney. He didn’t know why he was thinking about the young girl who could have easily been his own child’s age, had he reproduced. But he hadn’t. So thinking of Stoney as far as he was concerned was just fine. At least that was what he really wanted to believe.
“So you’re calling it quits, huh?” Mike asked a long-faced Keithe.
Nodding his response, Keithe knew it was very overdue and knew his friend thought the same. “Michelle ain’t trying to be nobody different. She likes being the person she’s become.”
“Don’t you mean who she’s always been?” Mike said sternly, while his friend gave him a dumbfounded stare. “But for real, Keithe. You need to wake up. Michelle has been as evil as she was since the day I met her. And I met her two days after you did.”
When he saw he wasn’t getting his friend’s understanding, Mike took it a step further. Rising from the sofa, Mike walked toward the house phone and said, “Oh, I still have the messages she left when you were here last time. If you want, I can play them for you.” he waited.
“Not necessary,” was all Keithe said. Resting his eyes and his head against his friend’s sofa, Keithe knew it would be fine if he took a siesta before his road trip back home.
“No longer Keithe and Michelle,” he let slip from his lips, and added, “never was,” before closing his eyes to drift off to sleep.