SAFE (mxm)

Chapter 83. An Inglorious Plot (David)

   "Stop Boo-Boo-ing me," she interrupts my desperate attempt to explain. "I am not mad at you."

   "You are not?" I below. "Really?"

   "Davy, I am scared of losing you. I feel guilty for pushing you to accept Ryo's challenge. I haven't fucking slept in forty-eight hours. And I came to the unpleasant realization that I must be the shittiest shrink ever," she quickly blurts as if all those words have been torturing her the entire time, and she was only waiting for my call to get rid of them. "But none of it is your fault. So, don't apologize. I made a scene, an ugly street brawl. It was embarrassing and dumb. I am the one who should be saying sorry."

   "Yeah, you did." I snort despite my best efforts to stay serious. "You broke a pair of glasses which cost at least 600 euros, and the police can still take your clear fingerprints from that poor man's face. They will be printed there for no less than a week."

   "Stop it," she groans. "Do you think he will sue me?"

   "I am convinced he will," I squarely answer. "Ryo said his friend was a nasty bastard. Very attached to his glasses, too. An Italian, you know. They do not forgive easily."

  "Oh, my God!" There is a hint of panic in her voice. While I am grateful for this unexpected turn of events, I decide to let her suffer just a little longer for the sake of my next move's success. She hopefully asks, "Can't Ryo persuade him not to do it? I mean... I know I was not particularly nice to your man either..."

   "Calm down. I was just joking." I finally let her off the hook. "But you have to promise me that you will never worry so much about me again. I will get better. You do not need to be my mother. I only want you to be my friend. You are a good therapist. I owe you too much to let you feel guilty about my stupidity. You will never lose me, Boo-Boo. I am responsible for my own decisions, and if I get hit by a car, the fault will be only mine. Do we have a deal?"

   "For God's sake, don't get hit by a car," she hums. "That would be really stupid. And yeah, we have a deal. So, how did it go with Ryo? You sound much more confident than before. Was he what you expected?"

   "I will tell you about Ryo, but I have a question for you." I hope to catch her by surprise. "Who is Lea?"

   "What?" Sarah does not get it at first, but soon the change in her breathing shows she has sensed where I am headed. "Davy, I... Just don't get angry, alright? My intentions were good, and she is a professional. I would never offer you her services if I did not trust her completely..."

   "Sarah," I sternly say. "I want two names, a personal phone number, and how you know her. I need this information now."

   "Fine," she sighs deeply. "She is my friend from uni, Lydia Ruso. I told you about her when I studied in Italy."

   "Yes, I remember," I confirm. "How does she know Ryo? Why did she pick him for me?"

   "I have no idea. I swear." She stays silent for a while and quietly adds. "Davy, I know you too well. We have spent most of our lives together. I can tell when an inglorious plot is forming in your head. Talk to me before doing something you are going to regret."

   "Fuck!" I hiss as I sit on the couch. Sex can be damn dangerous. People should be warned. "Don't sweat it. I'm not doing anything. Just curious about her."

   "Yeah, tell this to someone who would actually buy it. I'd better come see you," Sara suspiciously offers. "What was that? Are you in pain?"

   "I am fine... and busy." I quickly decline. "Let's have breakfast tomorrow. I am exhausted. Ryo left a couple of hours ago. I spent two days with him, and I assure you it's a tough job. I need to relax and sleep some more."