Collateral Damage

30

"Did my dad come by?" Audrey asked stopping her smoothie, one of the only things she could tolerate.

Alexander peeked into the kitchen and debated for a moment. "Yeah," he nodded finally. "Yeah he did."

"What's he say?" She asked carefully, trying not to seem to interested.

"Uh...he said that uh...that he loved you. That he hoped you got better and that he was sorry about everything."

Audrey chuckled. "My father would never apologize. But props for trying Remington."

Alexander shrugged peeking back into the kitchen. "Worth a shot, huh? Thought I might be able to give you some...closure. No laws I wouldn't break for that."

Audrey scoffed sadly looking into her smoothie. "Yeah...but life doesn't really have tidy ends like that, does it?"

Alexander went quiet, emerging from the kitchen with a plate. "Alright. No more smoothies. It's time for your meds and you need real food or you'll be throwing up later."

Audrey grimaced at the plate of eggs and the handful of large pills.

"And how long do I have to take these?" She asked.

"The pain meds not long. But the immunosuppressants. For the rest of your very long life. Drink up," he demanded.

"Kinda wished I'd croaked," she muttered.

Alexander shot her a glare. "Shut your face, ingrate. I practically plucked that heart still beating out of some 17 years olds chest while his mother weeped. The least you could do is appreciate it some."

"Don't chastise me."

"Don't be a brat," he shot back, putting his feet on the table, opening a newspaper that was sitting on it. "I have work. I'll be leaving in a few minutes."

Audrey frowned. "At 9pm?"

He lowered his newspaper and raised his brow. "Is that the time? I didn't own a watch. Or a phone. Or a window."

Audrey scoffed. "Well if you're gonna be a bitch Steel what's the point?"

He shrugged. "I dunno. Life insurance? Something surely. Love or something?"

Audrey rolled her eyes. "Is this the life you're offering me? Petty snide remarks and late nights alone?"

Alexander went quiet for a moment. "Did you expect something different?"

Audrey narrowed her eyes and sighed. "For a moment maybe. But you're...you're a shot of disappointment aren't you? You'll just keep disappointing women, over and over, offering what you don't have to give."

He stared at her then at his watch. His phone buzzed. "I work very hard to afford certain luxuries, Audrey. Like that heart in your chest? Do you think I could afford it on a blue collar salary?"

She rolled her eyes. "Big man."

He scoffed. "You know from experience how big I am, Audrey. What would you have me do? Stop working? Work normal 9-5 hours? 9-5 hours means 9-5 pay."

Audrey pursed her lips and closed her eyes. "All I said was: at 9pm."

"Yeah, that's all you said. We both know what you meant. And isn't it enough?" He adjusted his watch standing by the door. "Every woman I've ever met keeps screaming, love me. Love me! It's all I need. Even you."

He opened door. "Well. I keep saying I don't think it's enough. But hey...maybe I don't know what the fuck I'm taking about. I love you, Audrey. You know that."

Audrey was quiet, staring at her eggs.

"I'm sure...you'll make do with that," he said quietly. "Since it's all anyone needs." The door closed behind him with a sickening thud.

Audrey silently put the fork to her lips, gagging on the eggs he'd made that had gone cold, her eyes prickling. This was love? It had to be. He'd given everything for her. Taken care of her his whole life. He loved her.

This was the love she'd sought after. It was cold, and bitter and so very silent. She stared at the white walls, and shivering. Her stomach turned.

She walked around his house, putting her hands on the walls. She wondered when he would be back. If he'd talk to her tomorrow, or just work? She couldn't be mad could she? He was just working, after all. He had to work. It was her fault he worked so much, having to buy her a new heart, and all the money she spent. 

So she laid her down on her the 1030 thread count sheets made of Egyptian cotton. It was made in Italy. Audrey closed her eyes.