“Well. If the modeling thing doesn’t excite you, you’ll have to come in for the wedding plans! Lisa is starting to look out for all the things we need, we’ve got some photographers that cant wait to do the shoot—we might even use it in the magazine! Roxy, are you even listening to me?”
She nods slowly, taking a sip of coffee, donut forgotten and crumbling on the counter.
“There’s a publicity function on next week. You’ll have to come to that. So many photographers and design artists are excited to have you work with them. We’ll get you a stunning dress and then—”
“Helen.”
“You’ll see they won’t be able to resist you! Did I tell you that Lisa—”
“Helen!”
“Wants to buy our dresses and you can pick any one you want—”
“HELEN!”
Finally, my words stop like a cartoon character hitting the wall behind a painted backdrop. I’m almost panting like a racehorse at the effort of trying to say everything at once.
“Helen.” She says again, firmly putting down her coffee. “I don’t know what you think is going on here, but you don’t tell me what to do. You don’t tell me where to go, what to wear, or what piercings are acceptable.”
“What?” I’m so shocked and hurt I can’t process. Why is she being so difficult? Everything was just perfect. We could have gone to the office, played dress up, gone for lunch, it could have been a great day.
A couple’s day. A celebration of our new lives together.
Unless she doesn’t want to.
Now I’m the one staring blankly, coffee cooling in my hands.
“Helen, did you hear me?”
“I heard you.” My voice comes out rough and deep. “You make it sound like taking you to work to get dressed up and
take pictures is some kind of torture.”
“All depends on your point of view, I guess. Some days, that might be really fun. But don’t just assume I’ll do whatever you say.”
I feel a sharp twist in my chest, and I scowl at her.
“Why are you being so difficult?”
Roxy’s eyebrows shoot up towards her hair. “Difficult?”
“Yes, difficult! I wanted to show you around, show you off, take you out---”
“And I want to drink coffee, eat donuts and scroll on my phone.”
She looks completely serious. I cross my arms, barely restraining myself from tapping my foot.
“You don’t even want to go shopping!” I was really looking forward to her makeover and giving her a whole new look.
She puts her cup down firmly.
“I’m not your fucking doll, Helen. Just because we fucked doesn’t mean you’re in charge. If staying at your place and enjoying your company has the price of obeying your word, I’ll hit the street so fast not even my nose piercing will have time to wink goodbye.”
While I stand there, desperately scrabbling to find a comeback, I realize I underestimated Roxy. I honestly didn’t think she could argue this well, with any kind of intelligence.
That’s when I really understand what this fight is about. Respect.
But I know I’m losing, and it brings out the worst in me. Especially after last night, all that beauty being shattered by our harsh words.