01 // the call.
"Do we really have to watch this?" I sighed and plopped myself onto the sofa next to my boyfriend Robert. He was at ease and relaxed as he watched the latest episode of wrestling on TV.
"Yes babe, now quiet down," he replied, brushing me off.
I rolled my eyes and reached for the bowl of popcorn that sat on the coffee table in front of us. My mouth watered as I thought of how the buttery treat would taste once it was in my mouth.
"Were you gonna ask for that?" Rob scolded. He lightly slapped my hand away before I could pick up a single popcorn.
I looked over at him and froze when I realized that there was no humor behind his words.
"Can I have some, please?" I asked politely. I looked at him like I was a lost puppy. It got to him every time.
"Fine, but next time ask," he replied. He gave me a quick peck on the cheek before returning his attention to the show that had just gotten back from commercial.
I sat back on the lumpy couch and savored the hand full of popcorn I had managed to scoop up. When that was finished, I leaned my head back on the couch and closed my eyes. I was beyond exhausted from the long day at work but I couldn't complain. My job paid fairly, I lived in a small but cozy apartment, I had friends and family who loved me and then there was Rob. He was my backbone and we had been together for four wonderful years. From those four years alone, I knew for sure that he was the guy I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
He wasn't a bad guy, but he was very possessive over what was his. However, I was happy and content.
The next morning, I had woken up in my bed in a shirt that smelled of Rob. I was no longer on the couch in my dirty and hideous work uniform. I smiled to myself as the aroma of french toast filled my nose.
I sauntered into the kitchen with my bare feet hitting the cold tiles.
"Morning beautiful," Rob smiled as he placed a few sticks of french toast on a plate. His greasy brown hair was combed into a fohawk and his shirt was off, revealing the small gut he had. He wasn't some Hollister model, but none of it mattered to me.
"Hi," I replied, walking over to him and placing a kiss on his slightly chapped lips.
I gripped onto his arm tightly when the sound of someone knocking down our front door became apparent.
"Who is that?" I asked Rob. "Are we expecting guest?"
He looked at my frightened face and shrugged.
"Go answer it!" I urged him. It was one thing if it was one of our neighbors at the door, but this person sounded like they had Hulk fists.
I watched closely as Rob opened the door slightly before the person on the other side pushed it open the rest of the way.
"Robert Langston, you son of a bitch!" A high pitched woman yelled as she entered into our home. I recognized her right away. The disheveled black hair, pout lips, brown eyes and a face smeared in makeup could only belong to one person; Rachel.
Rachel was one of Rob's old flames. He had broke it off when he and I had gotten to know each other on more than a friendly level. She hated me ever since and I wasn't too keen on her either.
"What are you doing here?" Rob barked at the girl.
"God, Rob, you're still with her?" Rachel yelled back as she looked at me disgust.
I was standing in front of the knife holder and thoughts of what I could do with one of them swam to the front of my mind. Instead of doing the extreme, I decided to take a calming deep breath. "What do you mean he's still with me? We've been dating for almost four years now. I'm not going anywhere."
"Rachel, you need to leave. Now," Rob snarled.
I crossed my arms and nodded my head in agreement. How silly she was to come here. What was the point?
"Really Rob? After all we've done?" Rachel laughed maliciously.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Rob said, narrowing his eyes at her.
"Oh, really? Do I need proof or is this enough?" Rachel grinned, unzipping her coat to reveal a swollen belly.
I bit back tears and looked away.
"I'm pregnant, Robert." Was all Rachel said before walking out and slamming the door behind her.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room before I could speak.
"Is it true?" I asked, looking back at Rob. My vision was becoming blurry and I knew it wouldn't be long before the tears started to flow.
"Christina-" Rob murmured, making his way to me.
"Don't touch me damn it!" I yelled at him, stepping back. "How could you betray me like this!" I bawled. "You got her fucking pregnant!" I couldn't believe that the man I was in love with would cheat on me. I felt sorry for the unborn child who would be brought into this world with such fucked up parents.
"Christina, I'm so sorry," Rob replied, I could hear the sadness and fear in his voice. "I know I fucked up but It was only one night, I swear! You were away and Rachel was there. One thing led to another. She's nothing compared to you. I promise it was only one night!"
"Well guess what Robert?" I said, wiping tears from my face. "That one night ruined whatever we had. I'm done."
"Please Christina, it was a mistake!" Rob pleaded. I made my way to our bedroom to gather my stuff while I still had my sanity.
.
.
.
I stared at the stationary cell phone that laid quietly on my coffee table. Anytime now and that phone would be ringing. I knew it. I had a strong feeling that it would. However, by the time I was finished tidying up the house, I still hadn't gotten the call I was so anxiously waiting for. Was it because of my age? I was 23 years old and waiting for a job that was probably looking for someone more qualified than me to call back.
I needed this though. Rob's cheating five months ago had left me depressed and eventually they had to let me go at my previous job because I was slacking too much.
I walked to the bathroom to run me a hot bath to help ease the anxiety and clear my mind when my phone began to ring from the other room. My heart beat sped up and nerves ran all through me as I practically ran back to the coffee table; tripping over my dog Bear in the process. Without checking the caller ID, I answered.
"Hello?" I said. Trying to hide the excitement in my voice but failing terribly.
"Well someone's obviously happy," the other person on the line said. I turned on my phone screen to see the word 'Mom'.
"Oh, hey mom," I said a bit disappointed. "I was just expecting a call from someone else."
"Well, I just called to invite you to the surprise birthday party we are throwing for Daniel next week. Save the date!"
I couldn't believe that I had almost forgotten about my own brothers birthday! I blamed it on everything that had been happening lately. "I'll be there mom. I haven't forgotten," I lied.
"Alright good. Christina?" She asked.
"Yes mom?" I replied.
"If that call you were expecting was from a guy and he hasn't called you yet, you should drop him. He's not worth it," she said.
I uttered a sigh. "Mom, there is no guy, okay? I have to go now. Bye," I hung up the phone before she was able to get another word in.
I had decided to spare my mom and the rest of my family the details about Rob cheating on me and getting Rachel pregnant. Instead, I told her that Rob and I decided to mutually end our relationship and ever since then, she's been bugging me about my love life and about finding a new man that was worth keeping.
I walked back towards the bathroom to go set up the bath that I so badly wanted when my phone went off again. What does she need now? I skipped back into the living room.
"Hello?" I answered, trying to hide the slight annoyance in my voice but failing terribly.
"Ms. Hale?" The lady on the other line questioned.
"This is she," I replied, changing my voice to a more polite one.
"Hello, this is Miranda Lockwood from Frabray Incorporated and I called to inform you that your interview with Mr. Frabray will be tomorrow if you're available," Miranda said. Her voice was warm and soft.
"Yeah, I'm available!" I replied. I bit the inside of my cheek to try and suppress the smile I so badly wanted to show although nobody would see it.
"Great!" Miranda said. "First impressions are the best so be there at 8 o' clock sharp. Dress appropriately and don't be late. See you tomorrow."
"Thank you!" I squealed. But she was already gone.
I began fist pumping the air while screaming in joy, causing my dog Bear to start barking and jumping on me.
"Bear! Only if you could understand why I'm so happy right now," I laughed, bending down so that we were seeing eye to eye. He gave me a slobbery lick on my nose and trotted off to his doggy bed. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough. Now... Back to that bath that awaited me.