17
I knew why she was gagging.
Years ago, I gagged outside the restroom. It
was a physical reaction to heartbreak.
So I didn’t comfort her.
She broke down, hugging her knees and
crying. “Tom, don’t do this to me. I can’t take
- it. I’m sorry, please…”
く
I turned my back to her, looking at the sky.
The sky was blue, like the sky at Harvard, like
the sky Claire pointed to. We were happy
under that sky.
I smiled, thinking about Claire.
I gave Amy one last thing. “Your parents are
struggling. I can help them find work. But
that’s it.”
“What about me? What am I going to do?”
Amy looked up, tears in her eyes. “I have
nothing. I have no education, no skills. I’m
ruined. What am I going to do?”
“If you want to live, you’ll find a way.”
<
“No! You know what I want. Tom, come back
to me. I’ll divorce Jake. I just want to be your
woman!” Amy got emotional.
She grabbed me. “Tom, let’s start over. I
know you have a wife and kids. I don’t care,
I’ll be your mistress. I’ll be your anything!”
I pushed her away, disgusted. “Amy, please.”
She wiped her tears and pulled her dress off,
showing her skin.
It was still fair, but covered with bruises.
“Tom, I love you. I didn’t know it back then.
You’re not boring. So many women like you. I
was wrong.
“I’m sorry. Look at my body, I still have a little
<
beauty left. Take me. Take me now!”
She started taking off her dress.
I thought about her with Jake.
I turned and left.
Claire was there, dressed in a white dress.
I was shocked.
“Claire, what are you doing here?” I asked,
surprised and happy.
Claire smiled. “I told you I had a surprise. I
came back to have a wedding, so everyone
knows I’m your wife!”
She looked at Amy, surprised.
L
Amy stared at Claire.
Claire was a star, and Amy was dirt.
One was beautiful, the other was a mess.
Claire hadn’t said anything, but Amy was
already crying.
