Lisa
Well…first off, let’s
see that conversation (with Erik) from my point of view… After slamming the
door and hearing the glass break I sat rather dejectedly on the floor, leaning
against the door. I heard the phone ring
and then the following half of the conversation.
“Hello.”
“That would be
me…something wrong Erik?” (at that point I couldn’t help but keep listening.)
“Yes. She announced her presence to the whole
building with that last resounding slam of the door.”
“Not really. And when I tried to talk to her, she told me
to mind my own business… well… more or less.” ( I slapped my forehead with the
heel of my palm…great, hurt Marie’s feelings why don’t you?)
“At this point, I
couldn’t say. Right now, I wouldn’t go
within ten feet of her without a bullet proof vest on.” (Jeez, you’d think I was a rabid pitbull!)
“No… I don’t know how
serious she is, Erik. Under normal
circumstances, she would’ve either stayed out until she calmed down or at least
let me talk to her.”
“I know… I know… just
let me think. There has to be some way
to straighten this out.”
“Because you love her…
and she loves you.” (My ears perked up at this and I pressed my ear to the
door…he doubted I still cared? That was
a sobering thought… usually people just took my little rages in stride, but not
Erik apparently.)
“Yes… I know.”
“My only idea is to wait…
let her cool down and then let her come to you. There’s no way to her at the moment.” (I curled a little further into a classic fetal ball at that…what
was I doing?)
“Hey… I’m not the one
hurting you here… so don’t take it out on me, Erik.” (I wondered what brought on that comment but was still too busy
wallowing in self-pity to go find out.)
“Just calm down,
okay? We’ll think of something.”
“Only where you two are
concerned.”
“What’s that?”
“Erik… don’t.”
“Erik… we live on the
third floor… at worst, you’d twist an ankle and get a slight concussion.” (I couldn’t figure out whether to laugh or
cry at that…but I decide that I had to do something. I slipped out of the room and made my way for the kitchen)
“Erik… you can’t do
that. You kill yourself and I will
bring you back from the dead and kill you.”
(I was halfway to the kitchen at that point and paused a moment to
stare…he couldn’t really mean it!)
“Hey… I’m stubborn… I’d
figure it out eventually. Now listen…
do you want me to come over there and keep you company?” (I willed him to say yes as I continued my
trek towards the kitchen…Marie could help him until I got up the nerve to end
this and apologize.)
“You can call me
anytime you want. I’ll be here for
you.” (I noticed the broken picture and
sighed…first I had to make up with Marie)
At any rate…a little insight into my POV.
Now…on with the
appology!
I fidgeted in front of the door, the worst part of any fight is having to admit you were wrong. I took a deep breath and rapped lightly at the door.
"Come in." I heard Erik through the door but I couldn't bring myself to open it.
I rapped again.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." He said as he fumbled to open the door. I was looking pointedly in the other direction when I heard the door open. "Lisa." I could hear the shock in his voice. I turned toward him but still averted my eyes from his.
"That would be me." I said wearily.
"Come in." He gestured inside and I followed.
I sighed, this was the hard part. Still unable to look at him, I spoke. "I think the worst part of having a fight is admitting you're wrong." I paused, not wanting to go on but knowing I had to end this. "If you want…her…to come…I'll send out the invitation. But, and I don't care how rude it is, her husband is not coming."
"Agreed…does this mean I am allowed to…touch you again?" He asked in a timid voice. I finally looked up at him and saw the pain in his eyes. They were rimmed in red as though he too had spent the last hours in tears. I couldn't speak so I nodded. He pulled me into his arms and we stood there for the longest time just holding each other. I don't know where they came from…I shouldn't have had any moisture left in me for more tears, but they came regardless. I couldn't believe what I had put him through that night. Either the feeling of my body shaking or the hot tears soaking his shirt alerted him to my state. Pushing me back so that he could see my face, he used one hand to brush the tears from my eyes.
I tried to speak, tried to tell him how sorry I was, but the words wouldn't come. Somehow he understood. "No more tears over this, it is over…how do they put it…Ah, yes, we will kiss and make up." He bent down to me and did just that, gently kissing the remaining tears from my eyes before his lips met mine.
Marie had suggested that makeup smut was the best…she was right. Let's just say that we re-christened most of Erik's apartment that night.
****
There were no more fights over the wedding...but besides inviting the family and my friends at school (who were by the way, quite surprised to find I was engaged and marrying a former professor), there was one task left. I had to go visit my folks and tell them in person about Erik...before they met him.
“Would it not be easier if we all went, to lend you support if nothing else?” Erik asked across the table.
Marie nodded. “Yeah, why do you need to go alone?”
I sighed, “Look guys, my family is a little odd...ok, a lot odd, but anyhow...I want to gauge their reactions to all of this before I subject you or Erik to them. I mean, if my grandparents disapprove, a trip out there before the wedding might be a bad move.”
“If you feel it would be best.” Erik conceded. “I will miss you.”
“Jeez Erik, she’s only going to be gone for the weekend!” Marie exclaimed.
I put my hand over Erik’s and squeezed gently. “And don’t worry, if my family doesn’t approve it won’t effect my decision, they just don’t have to come to the wedding.” I smiled at him and noted the look of relief that came over his face. “Besides, if I introduce you to the family now...well, you might try and back out and we just can’t have that!”
“I don’t think your family is quite that scary Lisa.” Marie rolled her eyes at me.
Erik brought my hand to his lips. “At any rate...I am not wedding them...I am marrying you.”
“True, good thing to...I mean, you and Dougie would just make a weird couple!”
Marie looked suitably disgusted at the thought. “Ew Lisa, that is just skanky!”
“Well try not to picture it hon, a dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste.” I replied.