A4 ~ Conflict

The day was bright and sunny as David drove toward Kathleen's apartment. As he came nearer he noticed her outside with some guy. They were talking and laughing and just as David was about to turn into the complex he watched the guy kiss her. She gave him a big hug and they walked into her apartment. Well so much for seeing my girlfriend today. He wasn't sure what to do or how to respond, so he decided to go back to his place and think.

By the time he arrived at his apartment David was fuming. He walked into his apartment and threw away the flowers he'd bought for her.

"I can't believe this. Who the hell was that guy?" conversing with himself. "Well I guess I won't be going with her to the theater tonight. She can take the guy she was kissing."

He picked up the phone to call his buddy and let him know that he'd be coming over to watch the game with them tonight after all.

Later that evening as he sat watching the game and hanging out with his buddies his cell phone rang. He knew it was Kathleen and silenced the call. One of his friends noticed the second time his phone rang and asked, "So I thought you were going to the theater tonight with Kathleen? What happened?"

"I just decided to hang out with you guys tonight. I would normally be the first one to complain when any of you would dump us to be with your girlfriends, so I thought I'd better give my guys some attention."

Once again David silenced his phone. But he couldn't concentrate on the game because he kept thinking about what it felt like to hold Kathleen in his arms. To feel her soft skin against him. To see her lips swollen from his kisses.

"It seems to me that's not quite what's going on. You're not yourself tonight. Are you guys fighting?"

"I guess we are having our first fight but she doesn't realize it yet."

"Oh, I see. So she doesn't even know you're mad? Dude you totally need to talk to her and let her know that you're pissed."

"Yeah, I should. But I'm too pissed right now to even talk to her. Let's just finish watching the game. Hand me another beer."

The next day David woke to banging on his door. I wonder if something's wrong with Mr. Groust next door? He jumped out of bed and stumbled to the door. Still the banging persisted and was getting stronger.

He opened the door to a fiery Kathleen who shoved her way into the apartment and slammed the door. Damn she looks hot when she's pissed.

"Where the hell were you last night? You didn't answer your phone and you weren't here. I was mad with you at first but then I was worried that something might have happened to you. So tell me, what the fuck is going on?"

"Let me get some coffee before you continue to berate me."

"Fuck the damn coffee. I want to know what's going on? Did you forget that I had tickets to the theater last night? I was really worried and couldn't enjoy the play. As a matter of fact I left early hoping to get in touch with you."

"No I didn't forget." I didn't forget that I had planned to make it a special day and night.

"Then tell me why you totally blew me off and left me worrying about you all damn night?"

"I saw you yesterday - with that man - outside of your apartment. He kissed you and you gave him a big hug then went inside your apartment. I decided you could take him to the theater. I don't do that kind of shit, Kathleen. I'm not going to share you. Either you're with me exclusively or you're not with me at all."

"Fine. I'm out of here."

Kathleen stormed to the door and walked out, leaving David staring after her.

"Son of a bitch. I can't believe this." He slammed the coffee cup he was holding onto the counter so hard that the handle broke off. I just let the woman I love walk out. Wait, did I just say love? "But she's screwing around on me. I don't even want to think of her in another man's arms, caressing him, kissing him."

***

The past week was Hell. It was amazing to David how far Kathleen had gotten under his skin. He didn't realize just how deeply he felt for her. Was she playing him? He didn't think so, but the proof was right in front of him on Saturday.

Not paying attention to his surroundings while he walked into the grocery store he about knocked over some woman. That woman, he eventually realized, was Kathleen.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't watching where I was walking."

"It's okay. So how are you doing?"

"I'm great. What about you?" David's stomach was in knots. She is so beautiful.

"I'm not doing so great, David. I miss you."

"Well, you'll get over it. Listen, it was great seeing you, but I'm kind of in a hurry." He turned around and strode off without giving Kathleen an option to answer. But she wasn't going to have it and took off after him.

"Now wait just a minute, David. We need to talk."

"No, Kathleen, we don't. There's nothing to say. You obviously aren't interested in a relationship with me and I don't have time for someone who can't be exclusive." It took everything in his power to turn around and make his way to the exit leaving Kathleen standing there looking bewildered.

Somehow he made it out to his car, shoved the key into the ignition and the car roared to life. He quickly put it in gear and got the hell out of there. Where he was going to go he didn't know, but he certainly wasn't going home. "Maybe I'll go to my sister's and hang out there for a while."