Into The Lioness’ Den
After Jan came running up the stairs crying and joining Toni on the bed they each told their stories and had a good cry. They sat opposite each other with a box of tissues between them.
“What are you going to do now that he’s here?” Toni asked.
“I’m going to have to talk to him but not yet, I don’t know what kind of mind set he’s in. I’m sure he’s angry with me.”
“He’s probably cooled down by now or he wouldn’t be here.”
“Maybe Richie can talk to him.”
“Ha, fine one he is to talk to anybody.”
“Toni what are you going to do about him, he’s got to be feeling pretty bad about himself.”
“And well he should…I don’t know yet…I just don’t know,” she fingered the tissue in her hands. “I told him to get out.”
“Did you mean it?”
“I bloody well did. It was cruel Jan what he did I can’t…get my mind around that. I’m not sure I’ve got it in me to forgive him. Right now I don’t want him around me, I don’t want to see him.”
“I feel so bad, I’ve done essentially the same thing, deceived and lied to Travis, he may not have it in him to forgive me.”
“Your situation is a little different, yeah you should have told him, but…”
“That’s Travis at the door….” Jan turned at the knock.
“What do you want me to do?”
Jan’s eyes widened, “he wants to talk to you…talk to him.”
Toni opened the door about two inches, “what do you want?”
“I’d like to talk to you…in private if I may.”
“Did Richie send you up here?”
“No.”
Toni glanced and Jan and let herself out of the door. “What do you want to talk to me about?”
“Is there somewhere…”
Toni led him down the hall to a guest bedroom, “alright what is it?”
Travis could be very charming when he wanted to be, “I thought I’d give you time to get through the all men are bastard animals conversation before I interrupted.” He smiled.
‘You are you know.”
“Yes I do, we are all of us every one a bastard of some degree and how you live with us is beyond me.”
“Sometimes we don’t…live with you.” Toni fidgeted with a throw pillow fringe.
“Is that what you’re thinking about?”
“I don’t know yet…its crossed my mind…did he tell you?”
“Yes he did and I agree with you totally…he is a bastard. Look Toni I know how you’re feeling, you’re hurt and angry…”
“Do you know…is that where you are?”
“I am…I think the anger has left me…I think…I get hot and then it’s over. But yeah the hurt is still there…she didn’t trust me.”
Toni got up and walked over to the window, “I trusted Richie and look what it got me.” She wasn’t going to cry not here not in front of him.
“I think you should talk to him Toni.”
“Screw him…”
“My tastes don’t run in that direction. Maybe that’s what you should do.”
“That’s the last thing I want from him right now, that doesn’t solve anything…all I wanted was to have a baby.” She turned around and met his eyes.
“That’s all I wanted” he said quietly. “Look what a can of worms we opened up.” He walked over and picked up the same pillow fringe.
“What about Jan, what are you going to do?”
“I’ll take her to see somebody that knows what the hell he’s talking about and if we can’t have children…that’s that.” He looked up tilting his head. “You don’t always get everything you want.”
“Patch it all up and go on…Richie says his is reversible.”
“Well waltz him over to the clinic and find out if it is…and then you’ll know.
“What about all the rest of the shit?”
“How much can you swallow?”
“I’m choking now Travis.”
“No you’re not, you’re a strong woman Toni and a pretty one too. Ah hell let him stew a couple of days he deserves that.”
Toni began a little smile, “he does…you’re not such a bastard after all Travis.”
Travis laughed, “you don’t know me that well…ask Jan.”
“Thank you Travis, I’ll tell Jan she can go home…you’re okay.” Toni walked back down the hall.
Travis went back downstairs and Richie came out of the living room, “What happened?”
“You owe me big time muthafucka…big time.” Travis looked him in the eye.
