| |
I spotted Ron’s car still parked in the parking lot and rushed up to the entrance of Solidarity. The glass door opened. Ron’s arm held it open, and he leaned out, smiling at me. The sound of applause poured out from the lobby. My eyes widened.
I know I bailed him out, but... Why is he being so nice to me?
“Come on in. I’m just saying goodbye to some folks,” he said.
Several people stood around the lobby, all looking at Ron and clapping. He took my hand and walked me to the center of the circle. The applause came to an abrupt halt. A few seconds of awkward silence preceded the voice of one frowning man.
“Ron, why are you holding that tramp’s hand?”
Apparently, bad news travels fast.
Ron put his other hand up, smiling.
“Calvin, I know you don’t get this, but this tramp means a lot to me, so please, for me, be kind to her.”
I swallowed hard as his words pierced my heart.
Don’t fucking cry.
Ally came over to me, smiling.
“Can I hug you again?”
I laughed.
This crazy bitch...
“Ally, you’re a real mystery.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Hell. Why not?”
I reached out for her, and we embraced.
Ron left us and spoke to the others that came up to him. I could tell Ally wanted to talk to me, but my eyes followed him. His co-workers patted him on the shoulder, shook his hand, smiled. I pressed my lips together as I took a deep breath in through my nostrils and pushed it out.
I can’t believe I ruined this for him.
Janice emerged from the hallway carrying a cardboard box and brought it to Ron, keeping her distance from me.
“Ron, we didn’t always see eye to eye, but I respected you.”
She handed him the box.
“And I always will. What you did today... You’re a bigger person than I’ll ever be. This whole thing feels like the twilight zone for me. What will you do now?”
He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
“I’m not sure, but Janice, don’t worry about me. I’ll be ok.”
She shook her head and smiled back at him.
“I wish you the best, Ron.”
“Thanks, Janice.”
“Well, I’ve got to go gather my things. I don’t want to stay here any longer than I have to,” she said.
“Sure. Good luck, Janice.”
Her eyes cut to me with an icy glare before she turned away.
Whatever, Janice.
Ally’s voice cut through my thoughts.
“She doesn’t get you two. Many people won’t. I can’t even say I do.”
I turned to look at her. Ally’s eyes followed Janice as she walked down the hall.
“But none of us have to get it, Jessica. We just have to decide whether we want to remain witnesses to you both or not.”
She turned and looked at me, smiling.
Where did Ron find you?
“So, what have you decided?”
“I want to keep watching.”
She winked at me.
Ron came over to us, carrying his box.
“You ladies ready to get out of here?”
“Lead the way, handsome,” Ally said.
Something about seeing an attractive young woman exude such palpable sexual chemistry towards my husband both upset and thrilled me.
Chill, Jessica. He’s not yours anymore.
She followed Ron out, and I fell in behind her. I watched her fit little body move.
She does have a nice ass. I wonder how she feels about Ron’s little dick.
Ron’s eyes gleamed in the sunlight, and his elongated posture made him look taller. Funny how his new, commanding energy made his dick size less important. As we got close to his car, Ally spoke up.
“Babe, if you need a place to crash, you know you can come stay with me. You might need to move out of your place until you get a job.”
He opened the trunk and put the box in.
“Thanks, Ally. That won’t be necessary.”
I spoke up.
“Ron, she has a point. What are you going to do now? You can’t afford to keep paying rent somewhere. If you really want to stay there, I could help you. Now that I’ve got this cushy job, I mean. I can afford to spot you until you get on your feet.”
He closed the trunk and took a deep breath.
“I appreciate you both. What you are trying to do. But listen to me...”
A smile spread across his face.
“I will be ok.”
“Sure, babe, but you’ll need help in the meantime.”
He put his hand on Ally’s shoulder.
“I love you.”
He looked at me.
“I love you both, but please, listen to what I’m saying. I need to do this myself.”
Ally pushed out her bottom lip and dropped one hip to the side.
“Ok, babe. Just know I’m here.”
She turned and looked at me and smiled.
“We both are.”
“I know. And thank you,” he said.
He wrapped his arms around her and then extended an arm to me. I threw my head back and laughed.
“So, we’re doing a group hug now? Okay, sure.”
I joined them, feeling both Ally and Ron’s arms slide in around me. It felt both odd and innocent. Awkward, yet refreshing. Like we threw the playbooks out and just followed the path of caring for Ron. He released both of us, smiling.
“I’ve got to go now. Thanks for being here today.”
He turned, got in his car, started it.
Ally and I stood there, watching him drive away. As his car disappeared from view, she spoke.
“I’ve never wanted to lose my virginity to a married man so much.”
My eyes almost popped out of my head as my head jerked around to look at her.
“Wait. You’re a virgin?”
She giggled and beamed.
“Yep!”
I stepped back from her and put a hand up.
“So, hang on. I’m so confused.”
Now she laughed.
“You two aren’t fucking?”
“Well, it’s not for lack of desire, but no, we’re not.”
My lips pursed, and my eyebrows furrowed.
“Ok...”
She put a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter.
“I’m sorry to laugh. I get this reaction a lot,” she said.
She’s definitely an alien.
“So, what exactly is the nature of your little relationship.”
She smirked.
“It’s definitely not little.”
Her eyes turned to the parking lot exit where Ron drove away moments before.
“I’m not sure what it is. I just know it feels right to be in it. Right in the middle of all the twists and turns.”
My eyes narrowed as I studied her.
This little child prodigy needs to get laid.
“I don’t know what it is about you, Ally. But you’re annoyingly likable.”
She laughed. Her head snapped back to me, and she smirked, resuming her maddening Bette Davis eye gaze.
“Thanks. I think. So, what about you, Jessica? How does Ron fit into your picture?”
I grinned, continuing to study her.
“That was a compliment. And I don’t know, either. But I’m here.”
My eyes turned to the parking lot exit.
“For as long as he wants me to be.”
