“Why? Because you’re schmoozing some poor woman?” she asked. “Don’t fall for his tricks. He’ll take everything you have and run for the hills.”
“That’s enough, Gloria,” Graham said.
“So you know this woman?” I asked.
“Know?” Gloria asked. “Does he know me? Have you really not told her anything?”
“Told me what?” I asked.
“Gloria. Go home. You’re drunk, again. You shouldn't be out in-”
“I took a damn cab, Graham! And you don’t get to run my life. Not anymore. I want to see what’s rightfully mine, and I want to see them now.”
“You aren’t seeing anything or going anywhere without my explicit permission,” Graham said.
“You can’t keep them from me, you fucker. I love them just like I loved you, and I’ll be damned if you’re going to paint me to be the woman you think I am! Just because you have money and some dumbass mansion doesn’t mean you’re better than me. I’m coming for you, Graham. I’m coming for them, whether you want me to or not.”
“So long as I am breathing, Gloria, you will not lay a hand on anything that is mine,” Graham said.
I watched the altercation continue as a manager began to approach the situation. He tried to get the woman to calm down, but it was useless. I watched the woman pick up Graham’s glass of wine and toss it into his face, drenching his suit and staining his crisp white shirt red. I threw my chair back and gathered my things, trying to keep my tears at bay as I stepped away from the table.
“Libby. Wait. Just… damn it, Gloria. Get the hell out of here. Libby! Hold on!”
I ran as quickly as my legs would carry me from the restaurant. I dashed for my car, feeling the tears spilling down my cheek. I ripped my car door open and slammed myself into it, my stomach growling with hunger.
Food.
We didn’t even get to the food before everything had exploded.
I pulled out of the parking space as I saw Graham come out of the restaurant. His long, strong legs were carrying him as fast as he could go. I watched him recede in my rearview mirror as I skidded out onto the road, booking it back to my apartment. My vision was clouding with tears and I knew I couldn't drive home like this. I’d never get back without crashing into something or running myself into someone.
So I pulled into the nearest fast food joint, parked my car, and sobbed.
Ten
Graham
I watched Libby drive away erratically and my heart tightened with panic. She was in no position to drive, and yet I was watching her drive away. Cars were honking and she was swerving, and part of me wanted to get in my car and tak
e off after her.
But I felt Gloria’s hand come down onto my wrist.
“Get the hell away from me,” I said. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Telling you what I should’ve told you a long time ago. You ruined my life, Graham. You interjected yourself into my world, turned it upside down, then expected me to follow your every whim. But you’re not taking the best things that have ever happened to me. It’s not happening. Not now. Not ever. I don’t care what a damn court of law says!”
“You’re drunk,” I said. “Go home. This is why the restraining order’s in place. And if you don’t get the hell out of here, I’m calling the cops and having you arrested.”
“You haven’t heard the last of me, Graham! I love them!”
“Then prove to them you do by getting sober, Gloria. Until then, should you ever come near me, my home, or anywhere I might be again, I’ll have you arrested and thrown in jail on the spot. Leave us alone,” I said.
I stormed back into the restaurant and paid the measly tab for the wine. I left the waiter a decent tip, then headed straight for my car. Gloria was stumbling around in the parking lot like the drunken idiot she was, and part of me wanted to leave her there. Part of me wanted to sit back and watch the restaurant call the cops on her for making an ass out of herself
But I couldn't do that to her.
Even though I would’ve had every right to.