The Scenario.

TRIGGER WARNING- this short story contains Mature Content, Some Violence, Suspense, and Language.

The Scenario.

Part One- I Could Not Help Myself.

I sharpened the large blades, and I made the first cut. My mother’s maple, spiral ham recipe served with roasted vegetables and a nice salad was always a hit. Then I said it,

“Dinner’s on.” And the Kendricks from around the corner came to the table. So innocent. Sheepish. And before they could take their first sip of wine, I came out with it, “I’m gonna sleep with your husband.” Karessa just glared at me confused, and Tom just choked a little bit on his own saliva- which I wanted to taste, and he loosened his tie, and he began to sweat. “One day he’s gonna want to. Someday, you, too, will want me, but until…” Then Karessa threw her wine right into my face. I did not flinch as I kind of saw it coming. As the wine coated my glasses, I could barely see the two beautiful people in front of me, but I kept my glasses on just the same. “I forgive you. I forgive you for that. It seems we do not see eye to eye on something. I mean, it is going to happen,” Karessa tried to say something, but I held up my hand, and I turned on, “Winter,” by TV on the Radio, and said, “Eat.” Tom ate nervously, but Karessa just glared at me as she sipped her newly poured glass of wine.

Part Two- An Empty Space.

Tom was hot. There was no denying it. A regular Scott Speedman who worked out shirtless- his skin always glistening- his shorts always short- his eyes rather pained when he would push himself on his treadmill in his empty office with the large bay windows. Working out was Tom’s way to escape. I wondered if he ever worked out naked, and if I could catch a glimpse of him on my morning jogs. This dinner that has now become reality was going to provide me with the thrills I needed. The thrills I deserved. When the butterflies hit my stomach- I knew this moment was real. I had put it out there, and it was going to happen. I just hoped that I would not have to use force. I pictured his body, and I licked my lips, then I put the dishes away.

Karessa then asked a dumb question, “Have you ever done this before?” And I responded with a simple,

”Yes.”

Part Three- High Strung with the Kettle On.

Tea time was always nice. With me- it had to be right after dinner with Absinthe and Earl Grey tea. Sometimes I would add a small amount of a liquid I called, “Sweet Almond Dream,” and it is none of your business why, but tonight was not the night.

“Try this. 138 proof absinthe and tea. Please, don’t get it in my eyes, Karessa. Tom, perhaps this will take the edge off.” I said.

“I’m not on edge,” said Tom, “I am quite thirsty tonight, and this… situation calls for drinks. Thank you.”

“Would you like me to start a fire? You can relax. Get comfortable. Take your shirt off.”

“Excuse me?”

“Or, you are welcome to take a shower upstairs. It’s a good one.”

“Ah. I don’t need a shower.”

“Yes. He does not need a shower.” Karessa interrupted.

“Would you like one, Karessa? The bathroom’s clean. I scrubbed it down myself. I can even light candles. Or mix you up a relaxing bath with imported lavender salts.”

Karessa paused. She looked at me. Then she glanced at her tea cup, and she smiled. Then she hurled the hot green liquid right into my face dousing me with alcohol for the second time that night.

“Pervert. I bet you’ve got cameras.” She said. “I bet you’ve been watching us ever since you moved in! Oh, there’s that hot guy with that one lady! Is that it?! Why not a threesome, huh? Why not?! I’m hot!”

“Okay. Okay. Let’s all just take a breath.” I said while wiping the burning liquid from my eyes with my sleeve. I put my glasses back on- my eyes still watering- and I said, “You know- you could just leave. There’s no locks. No one’s stopping you. I’m bi. Tom, you’re very straight. At least, you look that way, so I know you could take me in a fight- something I might actually like if it were in the right setting in the right attire- or lack thereof.”

“Pervert! I’m not leaving without Tom. I’m staying with my husband!” Karessa exclaimed.

“Karessa, baby, it’s never gonna stop.” Said Tom.

“Tom… what are you…”

“I don’t know. I say we just all go upstairs and see what happens. Huh?! You wanna have fun?! Fuck it! Play Spin the Bottle? Seven Minutes in Heaven?! I don’t know. This is really messing with my head. Let… I’m sorry… What was your name again?”

“I didn’t give it.” I replied.

“Karessa, it won’t mean anything. Whatever happens…”

“Oh, no! This is serious.” I said. “It has to happen. It must.” I said as I licked my chapped lips again. I thought about Tom’s package, and I yearned for it to be in my mouth.

“But why Tom?! I don’t understand.” Karessa pulled back her black hair, and I could see tears, and her mascara began to run down her face onto her white, strapless dress.

“Why are you upset?” I asked.

“Are you insane?! Tom and I have been married for three years! We had a big wedding, and everyone showed! Now this! You! Yes! He’s hot!” Karessa lifted up Tom’s shirt, and she licked his chest. It was hot. “See! I wanna lick him up and down, too! But do you see this?! This is his grandmother’s ring! I had it appraised for $12,500. Here. How about you take it, and leave us in peace? Huh? Wouldn’t that be nice?”

“Wait. Have we met before?!” Tom asked me, and I said,

“Yes.” And Karessa simply cried, and she fell to her knees clutching onto her ring.

Part Four- A History of Lust.

Gym memberships are bullshit. Lots of money is spent so you can walk or lift. The only reason to go to my gym is to people-watch. Which bathroom do I choose today? The men’s? The women’s? The family bathroom? I always chose family, but one day I saw Tom, and I put my wig in my backpack, and I followed him to the showers where I saw everything. He made me sweat. It was not my half-assed work-out that was making me drip. It was him. Yes, he would be the one. The showers had black tile, and red shower curtains that blew along with the fans that were being used to dry the floors, and I saw… everything!

”Umm… Are you… Are you touching yourself?” He asked me, and I quickly fled the situation.

Part Five- Caught by My Own Admission.

“You’re the one I saw in the showers. You were watching me.” Said Tom. “Honey, I swear this… person was watching me in the shower. I know it was you! You kept licking your lips!”

“Tom, this is not okay. This keeps getting creepier and creepier. We have to…” Said Karessa.

“I don’t know what to do. What to say?” Tom said burying his face in his hands. “It is a flattering situation- you gotta admit.”

“And, may I remind you that it is going to happen. Karessa- would you like to watch?” I asked. She just covered her face, and shook her head in shock. She quickly poured another glass of wine. “Now, Karessa, that wine is for drinking. Did you enjoy my ham? It was my mother’s recipe, and I really hope that…”

“Oh, fuck you!” She screamed as she smashed the bottle on the floor. She took up a jagged piece of glass and slid it right into my ribs rather slowly. “Bleed. Bleed out, motherfucker!” Then she removed the glass, and I bled all over her feet. It was an odd feeling. The warm blood sensation. I really did not mind it at all. I was actually quite curious as to why my blood was so bright. As Chappell Roan’s song, “The Subway,” entered my head- I wanted to use my hands to draw bright red hearts on the wall with my own blood. I pictured myself dancing my ass off as I slowly bled out. Call me sick. Call me strange. Call the paramedics! But that is what I wanted in that moment. My own music video. Then fucking Tom quickly came to my rescue. He held a towel against my wound.

”Why did you do this?!” Tom asked Karessa.

”Oh, just leave him.”

Part Six- My Name is Avery.

I hate hospital gowns. I’m so skinny, and I cannot hide my parts. The sponge baths are nice, though, and there is this nurse that keeps smiling at me. It is almost as if she is looking at me the same way I first looked at Tom. She approaches.

“Hi, I’m Natalie. How’d you get this wound?” She asked me as she gently stroked my left forearm.

“My name is Avery, and I love your lipstick. Can I try it on?” And, “Winter,” by TV on the Radio began playing in my head.