| I sat back on the couch, laying my head on the back of it. I closed my eyes and let my mind drift back a few months, remembering Howie�s surprise at thinking I had left him. Oh, he had totally gotten his birthday surprise. I sighed and heard a car come up the drive, sequel to a halt and than it shut off. I frowned, knowing that wasn�t Howie for he wouldn�t drive so recklessly. I pulled my feet off the table and removed myself off the couch, getting to the door just as it burst open. I jumped back and stared at him. �I�m sorry, I was in such a hurry to get home.� I raised my eyebrow and crossed my arms over my chest. �What for Howie?� �Terri was gonna call me about something. She needed to talk to me.� I cringed at the tone of his voice. Okay, so he had her a time or two, was I upset? No, not really. Jealous? Hell yeah. I still don�t think I measured up in his mind as she had, but that honestly didn�t matter for I held his heart, and that�s all that matters. Or perhaps that�s what I wanted to believe. I mean, in the four years of us being together, not once was marriage mentioned. Sure, I often thought about it, but talk about it? No. Maybe I should have. I shook my head and sat back on the couch, curling my legs underneath me. I let out a sigh and grabbed the book I was currently engrossed in. I heard him coming down and heard him say something. My head turned to catch him heading into the kitchen, the phone attached to his ear. I sighed and glanced at the phone that was at the end of the couch. I inched my way over and had my held over the receiver when I heard a cough. I moved my head back and smiled at Howie. �Yeah Terri, she was gonna listen. Yeah, I�ll talk to you later.� He laughed and shook his head, still looking at me. �Of course, sounds fun. Bye hon.� He hit the off button and tossed the phone on the other side of the couch. �What were you going to do?� �I, um, was gonna talk to my friend. Since she was home, I could talk to her.� �Another shot.� �Excuse me, she�s my best friend, I have a right to talk to her damn it.� He sat down next to me and rested his arm on the back of the couch. �She�s been home all day.� �Oh.� I nodded my head, threw him a smile and opened my book back up, trying to find where I left off. �Theresa, can we talk?� I closed my book, put on my best smile and answered him. �No.� He laughed and grabbed my book, tossing it on the table. �What if I wanted to read that? You know, that�s amongst some of my favorite books.� �Yes, I know that. But what we have to talk about is important.� I swallowed back my fear. �What�s on your mind D?� �You know I love you right?� I could only nod my head. �And you know there�s no one else for me?� Once again, I was at a loss for words. �And you know why I can�t ask you to marry me?� �Yeah. I suppose I do.� �In four years, it�s never crossed your mind why I haven�t talked about it?� �Well, I always thought you weren�t ready.� �Or didn�t have the time. I love you and I knew after my birthday, we�ve been shaky. I mean, we�re still strong in our love and all that, but I know you tend to doubt yourself. I can�t offer you marriage cause I�m too busy and that�s not the life I want to give you.� �Oh, D, I know that. I�m not asking for it. And I don�t think I�m wasting my time on you. When it comes to love, I never think I�m wasting time.� He smiled and I could feel that heart flutter. He leaned forward and softly kissed me. I slipped out of the bed and walked down the stairs. I sat on the bottom step and let the tears flow. �Sure, he loved me, that�s why he had to utter another name,� my mind screamed at me. I laid my head on my arms and closed my eyes. �You should just leave. It�s been four years. You�ve given him four years of your life damn it,� my mind once again spoke up. I pushed myself up and headed into the kitchen. I pulled out a glass and opened the fridge, pulling out some orange juice. I got into another cabinet and pulled out some vodka. �The perfect mix,� I mumbled out loud. I tossed some ice into and sat down at the table. I stared out over the back yard, letting my mind go blank. �Resa?� I didn�t turn around, didn�t even move. �What are you doing up?� �I couldn�t sleep.� He walked over and took my glass away, taking a sip. �And drinking?� I shrugged, keeping my eyes on the pool. �Hadn�t even touched it actually. It�s been there for like 20 minutes.� �Why?� I heard him pull out the chair and heard him sit. �Just couldn�t. I guess I have a lot on my mind with my job and stuff.� �Resa, you have one of the easiest jobs around. You build web sites, hon.� I turned and glared at him. �Sorry. So, what�s on your mind?� �Nothing.� I got off the seat and took my glass, dumping it�s contents down the drain. His arms wrapped themselves around me and I sighed. �You said her name Howard.� He didn�t even ask who, didn�t have to ask. �I�m sorry Theresa, so sorry. I didn�t think you heard it.� �I did. You know, I gave you that as something special. I gave you the both of us as something special. And though you love me, you still lust after her. I know I�m nothing like her in bed, and I don�t want to be, I just wish you didn�t want it either.� I turned out of his embrace and ran upstairs, closing and locking the door behind me. I moved a picture around on my latest site, finally placing it right where I wanted it as my phone rang. I rolled my eyes, saved the page I was working on and picked up the annoying machine. �Theresa Lambe, webmistress. How can I help you?� �Resa, it�s Terri.� �Oh, hey, what�s up?� �Nothing. Look, can we talk?� �Um, sure, I have a few minutes.� �No, can you meet me for lunch somewhere, it�s important.� �Yeah, wherever you like.� �Annie�s in 30.� With that, she hung up. I looked at my phone before replacing it. I walked into the small building, finding the blonde hair woman right away. I walked around the many tables and smiled at her as I sat down. �You look happy today Terri, what�s up?� �I might have a boyfriend.� �Oh, who?� I sat my purse down and smiled at her. �Yours if you don�t quite.� I narrowed my eyes at her. �Quite what, exactly?� �Quite this shit that�s going on with you and him and me. Theresa, Howie loves you, only you.� �While he wants only you Terri.� |
| Birthday Surprise II By: Resa Dorough |
|
 |
| Take me home |
| Birthday Surprise Fans |