Strings

Chapter 3

 Jack could only side-eye her as she began to fiddle with her fingers, most likely the one with a new diamond ring on it.

"You finally getting everything that you wanted, huh?" Jack said, playing with the empty glass in his hand.

 Kellie's brows knitted together.

"What is that supposed to mean?" She asked, her voice slowly becoming low. Jack shrugged his shoulder.

"I mean this." He gestured his hands in the air. "Big house, rich guy, and xxxx fine expensive xxxx. Just what you've always wanted.." Jack said.

"What is this now, Jack? I thought we already talked about this.." Kellie said, shaking her head in that chastising manner that has always xxxxxx Jack off.

"Yeah. Sure we did. I know. I know. You're just getting on with your life. We both are. And that's good. It's good." Jack mumbled.

Kellie had drawn a hand to her face and was rubbing the ridge of her nose. "So what are you trying to say?"

 "I'm saying that I'm fine with you lucking out with a new man. But I'd appreciate it if you guys didn't have to practically flaunt it over my face." He said quickly.

 Kellie's face went from worried to really ticked off.

"Is that what you think-- Is that what you think that I'm doing here, Jack?! Flaunting my new life at you?!" She asked.

"Looks it pretty much, yeah. I mean, making me go to a dinner party to celebrate your boyfriend's success at his job; this big, xxxxxxx house that outshines my old shack; and a future marriage with a guy who makes millions."

Kellie gave a sound of exasperation.

"I invited you! I was worried about you!"

"Worried? Don't give me that xxxx, Kellie. You were never worried all those years ago! You couldn't wait to leave me!!"

"You were a drunkard!! You were plastered xxxxxxxx everyday, Jack!! And you're sure as hell drunk now..." At this, Jack became quiet.

 "What, you think I wouldn't notice?! I smelled you from the driveway! You've been drinking ever since we lost her, Jack! And that's all you've ever been doing with your xxxxxxx life!"

 Jack gripped the glass in his hand, before he threw it on the floor without warning, making Kellie give a small exclaim.

"You've always looked at me like I'm some sort of felon. I should at least look and smell the part. " He said gravely, and this is what silences Kellie.

 The silence doesn't take that long, because the door suddenly flies open, and just Jack's luck, Chris comes out.

"Hey.. Kellie, I heard shouting. Is everything all right?" He asked, quickly coming up beside her.

"Everything's fine, Chris." Kellie said quickly, her face hardening, trying to fight back tears that only Jack could see. 

 Chris turned his gaze to Jack.

"I think it's time you went home." He said and it wasn't a question.

 Jack doesn't look at him. He only looks at Kellie, who for some reason, can't seem to meet his eyes anymore. Not saying another word, Jack quickly walked right past them and out the door.

"He's drunk, he shouldn't drive... Chris.." Kellie suddenly said, nudging on Chris' shoulder.

Understanding her, Chris turned around, and followed Jack downstairs. He managed to catch up with him at the driveway, where, Jack was now raving like a lunatic. He was holding one of the bottles of champagne from the table and was chugging it while screaming something unintelligible. Everyone from inside followed Chris to the driveway, including Kellie, and now saw everything the bereft man was doing.

"Get outta here, or I'm calling the cops on you." Chris warned earnestly.

Jack somehow heard him and dropped the bottle after another big swig.

"You are gonna be so happy together." He said, pointing to Kellie and Chris.

"You can xxxx her as much as you want, Chris." Jack slurred, causing everyone to give an exclaim of shock.

Chris, now provoked, was about to move onto Jack, but was stopped by Kellie.

"Get the xxxx outta here, Jack!!" She screamed at him, literally meaning every word.

 Smashing the bottle onto the ground, Jack turned and wobbled to his car. He got in, and everyone watched in silence, as he started the car, and drove away.