So, was this it? Was this her life now? She should be happy; she had just recently married a guy that she loved, but for some reason no butterflies fluttered around like crazy when she looked at him. She took another sip of wine; then another; and another. She was bored out of her wits! Her new husband had accompanied her to a Presley Family Gala, but she would have preferred staying at home, doing nothing.
There was a time when she actually managed to have fun at these things. That was when he had been there with her. Different Michael; different headache. Well, it wasn’t all headaches!
He knew she was bored so he had whispered naughty words into her ear, making her giggle and making her mother shoot daggers at her. Together they made fun of the other guests and made up little dares like who could tip over their glass the most times. He had made the night go by so fast and before she knew it, they were back home and in bed together.
Now, here she was, barely able to keep her eyes open as her mother was speaking from the podium about how the Presleys had been faring this past year. She mentioned the lovely union between her daughter and her darling husband who made her oh so happy. Her mother smiled down at her while applauding with the rest of the crowd. Pricilla tried smiling, but instead she looked like something you carved for Halloween. The thought made Lisa smile. What her mother had been thinking while that doctor pumped her full of all that shit was beyond her. She had two expressions now; indifferent and scary.
Indifferent…. She regretted thinking about that word. She thought she had erased it from her internal dictionary. The last time she uttered that word, she had made someone else’s world collapse. That was the lowest moment of her life. The countless times she had been numb from drugs and alcohol was bliss compared to how she felt after she bombed and destroyed him. She couldn’t really remember why she had used that word. It seemed like a good idea at the time. But as soon as it left her lips, she knew her mistake. It was like Michael’s heart had been squeezed through the receiver and landed in her lap, bloody and crushed, with a date of expiration on it. She put it there. It was her doing. She hadn’t heard from him since. She had heard through people in the industry that he had left the country and was travelling around like a nomad. She knew he wanted to get away from the evil glares from the public, but she had a feeling he also wanted to get away from her pollution.
This is not how it was supposed to have turned out. She had always been sure that someday, somehow, they would end up together again; someday when they were both grown and less childish. But Michael had taken too long. He continued to act like a single man, not having to worry about responsibilities towards others. Well, aside from his children that is. She felt her coming to an age where she wanted to get past playing games and always being insecure about where things were headed. And she was tired of watching Michael getting into trouble over and over again and not even realising it and instead blaming the media or whatever excuse that would excuse himself. He got sued left and right, made it to one arraignment after another and never acknowledged his own fault in it. She knew he had blown off concerts and TV appearances just because he either forgot or simply didn’t feel up to it. Of course, some people sued him just for the fun of it, but some of it was his own doing. And so she had broken up with him. Or could you even call it that? She wasn’t even sure if they were a couple. Words couldn’t define them.
And then the biggest set of troubles had hit; he was arrested. She remembered crying when she watched him, handcuffed, on TV. He looked so scared, but she could see he was trying to put up a tough front. She called him that night and he had admitted how scared he was and then he had started crying. She assured him everything was going to be alright and he had found solace at her words. She was determined to be there for him if he needed her, but only as friends. She told him that from the very beginning and he understood. And a friend she had been. Holding his hand when he needed it, making him laugh when he needed that and listening when he needed to vent, which was a lot. The sandbag she had in her basement had taken quite the beating from him during that time, leaving him in a heaving puddle on the floor when he was done.
But when the trial commenced, he gradually pulled himself away from all the people who cared. The wounds inflicted by the demons who had invaded his world, his safety, broke him down bit by bit, day by day. It was scary to watch and she was frustrated that she was no longer able to help him. He didn’t want her help. He had started constructing a wall around himself, determined never to let anyone enter ever again. He used to think only grown ups could hurt him and that the first time around it had been adults working through a child. But now he knew that children were also capable of doing evil. It had shaken him to the core. His entire belief system had been torn down and he used the rubble to build a fortified wall of self protection. The only ones granted entrance were his three children, whom he was certain would never hurt him.
He eventually stopped taking her calls, never responded to her emails and had his “people” refuse her access to see him. They explained to her that it would be in Mr. Jackson’s best interest not to be near people who would turn up hurting him. She could tell his paranoia was kicking in at full force. She had seen that happen before, but never like this. Finally she had given up. She told his lawyer to let him know that she would be there if he needed her, and after that, all she could do was follow the trial with the rest of the public. She knew not to listen to what the media portrayed so she had Janet filling her in now and then.
She had gotten on with her life; what other choice did she have? She was finishing up an album and she had fallen in love again. Unfortunately, his name was also Michael. It weirded her out to call him that, since that name held such a special meaning to her, so she called him by his middle name, Dean, or simply, Lockwood. She never told him the real reason why she did that. She made up some lame excuse about how she thought those names were really cool. He seemed to have bought it. A few times during sexual climax, she had screamed Michael’s name, his name. When Lockwood had asked her why she chose that time to use his first name, she said it was because it was such a special and intimate occasion. If he only knew the truth…
And then out of the blue, Michael had called her one night. He had been cleared of all charges a few days before and a light seemed to have gone off in him. He saw things more clearly. He had been picked apart without anaesthetics and now he had to put the pieces back together himself, finally noticing the pieces that didn’t fit, but also noticing the one piece that was missing; her! She was rather startled by that revelation and didn’t know how to react. She had decided long ago that her future would not include him in any way beyond friends. She just couldn’t deal with it all anymore. Life with just Michael would probably be easy and wonderful. But Michael was not just him. He was a machinery, an entire industry in itself, and that was the hard part.
Now, her life was peaceful, predictable, pleasant… Oh what the hell, it was boring! But maybe she needed that now. All her life she had been chasing the wild and untraditional, so maybe it was time for something…. normal?
She didn’t have the heart to tell him about her relationship with Lockwood or that she had proposed to him and he had accepted. So, she had used that word; indifferent. She should have just told him the truth. But the thought of him knowing that she had someone else had failed her to do the right thing. And why was that? Did she want him to think she was still single? Leaving a window open? But that would be ridiculous for two reasons; one, her being married or in a relationship had never stopped him before and two, telling him she was indifferent would hardly make him come running; only in the other direction. Maybe she didn’t want to rub her new found happiness in his face, so instead she had torn his heart out and stomped on it; surely that was helpful to him! God, how could a person be so fucking stupid? She had known him for 17 years and should have known something like that would destroy him. So she had no clue at the time why she did what she did. But it had dawned on her later on; she was scared shitless! There he was, all grown and leech free. Just as she had wanted him… But she was terrified that it was just a mirage and when she would get to him, it would reveal itself to be nothing. She couldn’t bare that. Not again…
“What are you thinking about Mrs. Lockwood?” Her husband put his arm around her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. She didn’t really like being called by his last name, so she had kept her own.
“Sorry, my mind was wandering. I’m so bored! Can we leave soon?”
Lockwood frowned. “I think your mother would be disappointed if we were the first to leave. It’s best if we stay.” He said, kissed her cheek and turned his attention towards the podium where Pricilla was still blabbering. He was such a goodie goodie!
God, he could be such a drag at times. She once told Michael that she was bored and he had brought her to the men’s room and fucked her in one of the cubicles. Now THAT was a good way to make her forget where she was! She had a feeling Lockwood would faint if she suggested that. Wouldn’t want to get on Pricilla’s bad side! Michael never really cared; he only cared about her…
The memory of the two of them in the men’s room gave her a hot flash. Neither of them cared who heard them. They were so consumed with each other that they forgot about the world around them, which was apparent when they both walked back into the dining hall; Michael with his shirt sticking out of his zipper and her with a big white stain on her skirt. When her mother saw them, Lisa was sure steam was coming out of her ears. She quickly asked them both to leave and they happily obliged. They had a sequel to attend to at home anyway…
Lisa leaned in towards her husband. “Look, I gotta go stretch my legs for a bit, ok?”
“Sure honey bun. You want me to come with?”
She hated it when he called her pastry names! “No, that’s ok. I won’t be long.” She kissed his cheek and walked off.
She made her way up to the balconies overlooking the dining hall. She stood there, closing her eyes for a moment, glad to get away for a bit. She felt tired and worn out. In fact, she had felt that way ever since she gave her yes in Japan
She was lost in these thoughts when she heard footsteps behind her. She recognised that walk! And when the sweet smell of cinnamon and vanilla enveloped her, she knew. But how was that possible?
“Hello Michael.” She almost whispered.
“Hello Lisa. How are you? Happily married I presume?” He spoke in an even voice, not telling his emotions.
As she was about to respond, he walked up behind her and placed his hands on the balcony railing, trapping her. Her heart began to race. She had not expected this; not in a million years. What the hell was this about?
“I’m fine and yes, I’m married. What are you doing here? What if someone sees you?”
She could feel his breath tickling her ear.
“Don’t worry, I got it covered. So are you just married or happily married?”
“I don’t see why that is any of your business, Michael.”
“Sorry, touchy subject I guess. What are you doing way up here?”
“You know how bored I get at these things.”
“Yeah, I fondly remember. So why not ask hubby to help you with that?”
She didn’t say anything. She didn’t like his questions and it seemed like he was digging for something.
“I mean, isn’t it the husband’s job to please his wife whenever she needs pleasing? Or is he not able to perform his marital duties?” He continued.
“Fuck you, Michael. You don’t know anything about him!”
He stepped in closer and lightly pressed his body against hers.
“Now now, no need to get testy. I was merely wondering why a beautiful woman as your self was standing up here all alone.”
She actually wondered that herself.
“What are you doing here, Michael? In America? I actually thought I’d never see you again.”
“Why on earth would you think that?” he said sarcastically, but his tone was still even. “Just because you told me you didn’t care anymore, didn’t love me anymore, basically saying that if I dropped dead you wouldn’t care…I wouldn’t want to see you? Now that’s just silly Lisa.”
“Michael… I…I didn’t…” she stammered.
“Sshh, don’t talk Lisa. See, I know you didn’t mean it. It took me a while to come to that conclusion. And you know how I did that?”
She shook her head.
“I bought your new CD. You didn’t think I wouldn’t recognize the dedication to Lockwood, did you? I still remember when you said those words to me all those years ago. I know you’re a dedicated recycler, but come on Lise…. Even I feel sorry for the uhm… manish… guy now.”
She thought back to when she had uttered those special words to Michael. It was right after their wedding. They had decided to read their vows to each other in private after the ceremony. It had been a very special moment. He had put part of his in the dedications on the History album. And when she was writing the dedications to her latest album, it had been all that occupied her mind. She felt it belonged there, but she needed to disguise it and so she had by adding a little sentence about thanking Lockwood for his help with the record. The rest was for the other Michael; her true Michael. She was actually surprised that Lockwood hadn’t caught on to the part where she said she had been looking for him for 26 years. When she said that to Michael it was 1994; 26 years after she was born. She had been looking for him her whole life. She made up a story and told Lockwood that she found him 26 years after her father died. Michael was the only one who knew where the words came from, who knew the truth, so she felt it was safe.
“I know… I shouldn’t have done that. I dunno what I was thinking.”
“Oh, I do… You were thinking about me! And I feel it’s only appropriate to be thanked since I was the source of most of your songs. I especially liked the song “Idiot”. Very nice, Lisa…Very nice… Subtle too.”
She could tell he was only kidding. She had been a target on the angry songs on Invincible as well, so she figured it would only be fair to use him as inspiration.
“Hey, you know I only speak the truth, Mike.”
“You don’t always speak the truth, honey.” He said in a low voice.
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, for one we have the infamous “indifferent” comment… And then the part about being happily married.”
“What the hell do you know about my happiness?”
“I can tell. Trust me.”
“Sorry to burst you sixth sense bubble Michael, but I’m perfectly happy.”
He pressed his body even harder against hers. She felt goose bumps emerging. She hated that he was this close. But she also loved it. When Lockwood enclosed her like this, all she felt was claustrophobic.
“I beg to differ. You can’t be happy with anyone but me. You’ve tried, and you’ll probably keep trying, but you’ll never succeed. You crave me… Just like I crave you. Only difference is, I’m done denying it. I think about you always… At night, during the day, on your side, on all fours… shall I go on?”
“When the hell did you become so damn cocky? Who the fuck have been stroking your ego?”
She knew he was right, but did he have to make it so damn clear to her?
“You have. Don’t you remember? Before you, I was a scared, insecure, asexual freak… But when you came along, you stripped all that away and only left the freak.” He put an emphasis on the word “asexual”. He always hated that the media had portrayed him that way. “You released the freak in me Lisa… And now you have to deal with it. You used to love doing that, remember?”
Oh yeah, she remembered alright. And the memories made her panties wet. Damn him! Only he had that effect on her.
“Yes, I remember. But that was a long time ago. I have a new life now. I’m a different person.”
“Hm, let’s take a look at this new life, shall we?”
She felt his hands move up the side of her thighs, taking her skirt along with them. She should tell him to stop, but for some reason, she didn’t want to.
“Look at them down there Lisa. Look at your life.”
She saw her mother and Lockwood engaged in conversation. It was apparent that Pricilla liked her new son in law, but basically she would like anyone with the right skin color. Lisa could bring home a hobo and it wouldn’t matter as long as he was in the right end of the color scale.
Michael’s hands had moved up to her panties and were slowly pulling them down. What the hell was this? Whatever is was, it felt good…. Dammit!
“Look at you mother. She looks so happy… Or maybe she’s mad? It’s kinda hard to tell these days.”
Lisa looked at the crowd below as Michael started kneading her ass.
“Michael, what are you doing?”
“I’m grabbing your ass… What’s it feel like I’m doing?” he growled.
“I can tell. But why?”
He didn’t answer her question. Instead he once again turned her attention to “her new life” in the main hall.
“Why did you pick him Lisa?” he almost sounded sad, but only for a second. “No wait, don’t answer that. I think I already know… You wanted to play it safe, am I right? You wanted the easy way out… You didn’t care that you were not in love with him and would have to spend the rest of your life on your back while he falls asleep on top of you. You’ve become afraid of the thrill… The thrill only I can provide. But lemme tell ya’ girl, the thrill is still here for you to have. All you gotta do is ask.”
Her panties had slid down to her knees now. It almost seemed like they were trying to tell her something; giving her the “ok” to receive whatever Michael wanted to give her. And if Lockwood would find out? Well, what could she do? A few skimpy pieces of red laced fabric had given her permission, it was out of her hands!
Michael’s hands travelled in between her thighs. She held her breath. This was the moment when she should tell him to stop and leave her alone. It was now or never. She knew if he came into contact with her innermost sensitive spot, she would surrender and loose any ounce of will power she still held onto.
“Ok, it’s now or never Lisa!” She thought to herself. “Just open your mouth and speak.”
Michael’s hands travelled closer and closer.
“Aaaany moment now Lisa. Whenever you’re ready to speak…like… NOW!”
Too late!
“Aw girl, seems like you don’t even need to ask me. You’re drenched already! Your wetness speaks louder than words.” He whispered close to her ear.
His long finger traced her folds and found her peak. She took a sharp intake of breath and feared Lockwood or her mom would hear her. She wasn’t exactly a silent lover and she knew what usually happened when Michael fucked her. But on the other hand, the thought of being caught excited her.
He began stroking her and her heart was racing. She had missed those long skilled fingers! Until she had met Michael, she had thought the myth about men and their fingers were just that; a myth. She had been pleasantly surprised to say the least. Lockwood could hardly find a parking spot, let alone her g-spot. But Michael… He could probably find the holy grail if he wanted to. And so he had. Inside of her…
“Michael?”
“What?”
“Why are you doing this?” she had started panting.
“Am I doing something wrong?”
“No, it feels right. But why?”
“I haven’t had a decent fuck since you, girl. Well, that’s not true. I haven’t had A fuck since you.”
He stuck his finger inside of her as he said it and Lisa’s head fell back and rested on his shoulder.
“You’re fucking kidding me, right? I know you don’t sleep around, but I figured you’d be fucking your nanny or something.”
“Grace? Bless her heart, but the woman looks like Sideshow Bob… why I picked her. So I wouldn’t get tempted after I swore off all women….all women but you.”
Lisa was surprised. His love for her was that deep? He had chosen her to be his one and only. She had slept with men out of boredom. Hell, she’d even married one of them out of boredom. But, like the others, he couldn’t live up to the gloved one. She truly admired his strength.
His fingers were sliding slowly in and out of her; to her delight, he had added another digit. His thumb was on her clit.
“Dammit Michael! That feels so good!” she mumbled under her breath.
“You know what else feels good? The fact that we’re up here and they’re down there. Totally oblivious to what the hell is going on right above their heads.” His fingers picked up the pace. He too was panting. “Look at them Lisa.” She did. “They don’t know… He don’t know how to please you. I’m the only one who can fuck you right… make love to you right.”
As she looked at her husband sipping a drink at the bar, she knew Michael was right. Not that that was news to her. But him having his fingers inside of her somehow made it all the more clear. What had she done marrying him? This was all wrong. But when she reached behind her, she felt something that had always made sense to her; a huge bulge, threatening to blow up his jeans, leaving the fragments of charred fabric slowly raining down on her mom and Lockwood. She could just see the headlines: “Horny Michael Jackson blows up Presley Party. Pricilla seems to be shocked. Husband Lockwood still doesn’t have a clue.”
To her regret, Michael removed his fingers. By the sound of it he had put them in his mouth and removed them with a pop.
“Mmm, just like I remember. My favourite brand.” He said in a low voice sending shivers down her spine. Lisa smiled. At times like these, she didn’t regret having released the freak in him. In fact, she never regretted it and she missed it. There was a lot she could say about Lockwood, but he wasn’t a freak… Not in bed anyway. She couldn’t believe she was actually thinking these things about a man she had just married.
“Spread your legs girl.” He whispered. She did as told and spread them as wide as her panties would allow. She heard the zipper of his pants go down and her skirt was lifted all the way up around her waist.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this. I should be leaving you alone. Someone might see us.” She said with anticipated breath.
“It’s not like you haven’t done this before, Lise. Only difference is, this time it’s me who’s leaving afterwards.” His fingers were gently caressing her butt as he spoke and she could feel goose bumps forming on her skin.
“Where will you go, Michael?”
“Why? You wanna come visit when shit becomes boring? Why am I not surprised!” He swung her hair her over her shoulder and left small kisses and bites on her neck. “If you come, I won’t let you go home, no matter what. You understand me, girl?”
“Yes, I understand. Where…?”
“Vegas!” He growled as he suddenly entered her, catching her of guard and almost making her fall of the balcony.
“Shit, Michael!”
“Damn, girl! You gotten tighter… You must not get… filled… anymore.” He said between thrusts.
“Hell no.” she panted. “Give it to me daddy!”
He kept invading her, again and again, with great force. It was almost too much for her but she was determined to bare it. When he reached in front of her and gently pinched her clit she let out a loud cry. Michael quickly pulled out of her, yanked her away from the balcony and pushed her against the wall before the people below who heard the cry saw them. Her panties snapped when she almost fell due to Michael’s sudden jerk, so there was nothing in the way when he lifted up her leg, supporting it under her knee.
This was the first time she saw him since his surprising, yet very welcomed, secret entrance. She immediately got lost in his eyes. They were clouded with lust, but they also contained a longing. The same longing she knew he could see in hers. She let her gaze travel over him. He looked thinner than usual, but still hansom as always. He was wearing a black blazer and a white v-neck t-shirt, similar to the outfit he wore to the Japanese VMA that same year. Lisa had seen the photos from the event in a magazine and for some reason she cut them out and hid them in her journal. She could tell he hadn’t shaved his chest in a while. When they were married she tried convincing him to let his chest hair grow, but he said it wouldn’t match his image. I guess he didn’t care anymore.
Her eyes travelled further south and there it was; the true King, standing proud, tall and big! She smiled at the sight. When she looked up, she once again locked eyes with Michael.
“See anything you like?” He smirked.
“Very much so, yes… Oh, and you look good too by the way.” She winked.
Michael took a hold of his steel, stepped in a bit closer, bent down in his knees and slowly glided inside of her as he raised himself again, never breaking eye contact. Her head fell back.
“You can’t relax yet, girl. You need to do something for me first.”
She looked at him again. “Oh yeah… What’s that?”
He nodded towards her blouse. “You need to unbutton that.”
She could feel her cheeks turning red. She loved it when he gave her orders.
Her fingers slowly started unbuttoning her shirt. Michael’s eyes followed her every move and after the first button, he started moving inside of her, slowly, making it very difficult for Lisa to concentrate on the task she had been given.
“There, all done.” She said as she undid the last button and opened her shirt.
“They’re still covered. Get rid of your bra.” He ordered.
She playfully bit her lip and reached for the clasp in the front of her bra, making it pop open. Michael licked his lips as her breasts sprung from their laced cage. He hungrily bent down and put one of them in his mouth, then the other, and picked up the pace of his thrusts. Lisa moaned and buried her hands in his hair.
“Dammit Michael! How the fuck am I supposed to survive without this!” she breathed in a raspy voice.
“I knew you would feel this way girl. Why do you think I came here to remind you?”
He lifted her other leg as well and Lisa swung them both around his waist. He banged her hard against the wall.
“Why the hell didn’t you come before I got married? Oh shit, this is good!”
“I thought about it, but…aahh…I thought it’d be more fun this way. Watching you writhe with regret.”
“So you’re punishing me? I should slap your ass!”
“Serves you right for being so dense, Lisa.” He teased. “Now shut up and put you arms above you head. I wanna see those tits dance for me.
She really did want to slap him for not making her come to her senses before she spoke the two words that locked her together with Lockwood. But being ordered around was so much more fun, so she did his bidding. Like she had ever fought it before!
“Ooh yes, baby girl! I love to watch them dance. Dance for daddy!” he panted as he kept intruding her hard, over and over again. “Oh fuck!”
“Michael, I need you… I need you now!” Lisa could feel she was getting close.
Michael suddenly slowed down and looked at her, his face looking very serious. “You’ve had me all along, Lise.”
His candidness surprised her and she had to swallow hard to keep her composure. But what he just said, meant the world to her. Those were the words she should have shared with him instead of that word. There was no doubt! She had to be with him. If she remembered correctly, she had her divorce lawyer on speed dial. Christmas was coming up. Surely her mother would appreciate a gift wrapped aneurism.
Michael looked away again and went back to fucking her senseless.
“Cum with me, girl!”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, moaning into his mouth. Michael went faster and faster and she could feel her walls beginning to tighten around him.
“Oh my god… yes… yes…. Oh Michael…Michael!” How liberating it felt to be able to say that name on her way to pure bliss and not having to make up an excuse afterwards.
He rammed into her a few more times before they both came in a violent orgasm. Lisa was about to cry out, but in time, Michael covered her mouth with his hand.
They were both sweaty and breathing rapidly when Michael gently put her down on her shaky legs. He was about to step out of her vicinity, but she pulled him back and hugged him tightly. She didn’t want to let go and she didn’t want to go back down stairs.
“Lisa, I have to go.” He spoke softly.
“Why?” She asked, her voice muffled by his shoulder.
“You know I can’t stay.”
“I know.” She whispered. “Just a little while longer, please?”
They stood still like that for a few minutes; enjoying each others embrace. She hated this. She thought she had locked away all those feelings Michael arose in her, but now they were all back; undying love, raging lust, warmth, comfort, safety, craziness... Why had she wanted to trade all that in for a steady, normal relationship? She had always thrived on the untraditional. The only thing untraditional about Lockwood was his hair and his sixth toe. She needed so much more than that and she had been a fool for denying it to herself. Now she was married… But to the wrong one. Again!
Michael gently pulled away. “Lise, you should get back to the party. They might start looking for you. Don’t want them finding you in here with me… Especially since my ass is still bare.”
“Oh, who cares! You have a nice ass.”
“Might not look that nice if Pricilla finds it in here with her married daughter.” He bent down and pulled his pants up.
“I bet it wouldn’t.” She straightened her wrinkled skirt, clasped her bra and buttoned her shirt. “Do I look presentable?”
Michael gave her the once over and smirked. “Not even close. Your hair is a mess and you look flushed. What’s gonna be your explanation?”
“Dammit! I dunno… Maybe I can say that I fell asleep? Or that I fell?”
“So you fell, hit your hair and fell asleep?” He asked with raised brows.
“Well, yeah…” She knew it was hopeless. “But to be honest, it doesn’t matter. Let them find out… What do I care?”
“Could you at least wait to tell them until I’ve left the state?” He said with a smile. Lisa was smiling too, but then it faded.
“When are you….You know…” She couldn’t even finish the sentence. Michael looked serious.
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow! That soon?”
“I just can't stay here for too long at a time. It still hurts, and what I had here before is gone now.”
That one hurt, but it was her own fault. She should write a song about herself called “Even Bigger Idiot”.
“But I’m here.” She tried.
Michael just sighed. “It’s not that easy, girl. You made a choice… You chose him.”
“But it was the wrong choice… Again!” She felt tears burning.
“You need to find out what you want to do with your life. How you want to live it and with whom. And you have to be certain. But remember, if you ever come back to me, I’m not letting you go. Not ever.”
She nodded. “I’m so sorry, Michael. About everything. Please know that.”
He looked away and whispered: “I know.”
There was a few minutes of silence as reality hit them both; he was leaving. He had been hoping she would be leaving with him. That had been his plan when he called her last year. But as usual, he ended up going alone. He had his children, but….
She wanted to throw caution to the wind and leave with him, but she knew she couldn’t. Michael was right, it wasn’t that easy. But that didn’t change the fact that she now knew what she wanted. Realising that he was leaving without her, was a hard pill to swallow.
She looked over at Michael who was also looking at her. “I guess I should get back.”
Michael nodded. “I guess you should.”
She stepped in and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. “I’ll miss you.” She moved a few strands of hair from his face. He was so beautiful. She could feel a tear rolling down her cheek. Michael reached up and wiped it away. “I’m always missing you, Lise.”
He then turned around and headed for the door, but suddenly stopped in his tracks. He bent down and picked something up.
“Lisa?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I keep these?”
He turned around with a grin on his face, twirling her red, broken panties on his finger. She laughed.
“You’re so dirty. Wish I had something to remember you by.”
He stuffed the panties into his pants pocket.
“Just close your eyes, baby.”
And with that he left.
Lisa went over to the balcony and looked down. Nothing seemed to have changed. Her mother was still mingling with everybody and Lockwood was still at the bar. Maybe they had forgotten about her. She could always hope…
She went looking for a bathroom and tried making herself look like someone who hadn’t just had sex with her ex. It wasn’t easy. Michael always left a trace. Being somewhat satisfied, she went downstairs.
“Lisa, darling, there you are. Where on earth have you been?” her mother said as she approached her. “And what happened to you? Why do you look like that?”
“Like what?” Lisa asked innocently.
Her mother eyed her. “Oh, never mind. Look, I was talking to the Joneses about where you and your husband were planning on spending your honey moon. Well, they have a lovely little cottage in the French alps that you are more than welcome to use.”
At that point Lockwood came over.
“What are my two favourite girls talking about?” He gave Lisa a kiss on the cheek.
“Ugh, kiss ass!” she thought to herself.
“Oh, I was just telling Lisa about a nice little place in the French alps. It might be perfect for your honey moon.” Pricilla enthused.
“That does sound lovely. What do you think, honey?” Lockwood asked Lisa.
“I dunno… I don’t want to spend my honey moon in a cold place up in some hills. I want sun and sand… Palm trees.”
“Ok, so where would you like to go?” her mother asked.
Lisa thought about it for a moment and then a smile crept across her face. She looked back over her shoulder at the balcony she had just left. The balcony Michael had just left.
She returned her attention to her mother and her husband.
"I feel like taking a gamble. How 'bout Vegas?"
"I feel like taking a gamble. How 'bout Vegas?"
