“ Need a cup of coffee, hun?“ The tired middle-aged waitress, who look like she would’ve had a cigarette hanging out her mouth if it was the 60s, asked. “Oh…yes.” Ian nodded. “You decide if you want a menu?“ “Uh…“ he rubbed his palms together for a moment. “…not yet. Thank you.“ “Let me know if ya’ change ya’ mind.“ Ian exhaled, his confidence from earlier now turned into anxiousness. He sat in a booth next to the big glass, facing the gravel parking lot. He ran the palm of his hand through his hair, the sides falling back into place. The hair on the nape of his neck was flipped upward, with sideburns that looked thicker than his actual haircut, but it matched his mustache. He favored Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys (the 2011 version before he started wearing his hair slicked back like Johnny Depp in Crybaby). Ian is 6’3, built like a baseball player and his entire arm covered in permanent art, so he was very hard to miss. He always wore Levi’s and graphic tees, the kind you’d find most older generational fathers wearing. That’s if he wasn’t wearing his golfing attire, the shirt always tucked into his slacks, and never without a belt. He was undeniably alluring and normally a goofball but as of late, the light has been taken from his eyes. Nauseous all the time, and a weight on his shoulders. That constant dark cloud over him throughout his days, nothing strong enough to keep him distracted from the pain.
He set up straighter and inhaled deeply and held it when a Nissan Murano drove up, wobbling against the uneven lot. It parked further in the back (diagonally from his) but still within view from the window. A tall woman stepped out, wearing a black satin outfit that consisted of flared pants and a tie top with bell sleeves, and frills below the breasts that stopped at the waist. Although the lounge set was loose, her statuesque figure couldn’t be hidden. Her thick curls, now pressed into a blowout, bounce heavily against her shoulders as she walked to the entrance. He stood once she scouted him out amongst the diners, smiling as she walked towards him, his stomach feeling… weird. He has seen her countless times before, but something was different this go around.
Symphani was 𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓪𝓼 𝓯𝓾𝓬𝓴. She had russet eyes that were naturally “sleepy” and turned you into stone on the rare occasions she used black liner on her waterline, eluding the epitome of lust. She didn’t have a Cupid’s Bow, so her upper lip was oval and plump. She did housework in heels just for fun and always smelled divine. And she always stayed in the sun, that was apparent. “Hi Ian.” Her voice husky but feminine nonetheless. “Hi.“ He gave a tight lipped grin that made her giggle a little. He looked like a boy up to no good for a second there. They sat. It was quiet for a moment, as Symphani looked around, obviously a little awkward. Ian cleared his throat. “How is everything?” “Eh…” she shrugged. “…still too early to tell. Everything still feels a bit fresh ya’know?” “Yeah no doubt, it definitely doesn’t feel like a month since then.” Ian looked out at the parking lot, recounting her walking inside. She walked with a purpose this time, in comparison to that one day. That day he was at the station, washing the truck when the group of other firefighters stop laughing all of a sudden. “Hey, who is that?” Archie, the oldest of the men asked Ian in his ear. When he turned, he saw Symphani exiting her car, her face clearly distraught. “Whoa…“ Ian walked up to her, his suspenders dangling off his hips. He didn’t know what was wrong at the moment, but he felt it involved him. In a way, he was correct. She had never been to his place of work, so he was completely thrown off. Archie took the hose from him and began pretend-washing the truck. “… what’s the matter?” Ian’s voice soft and caressing, the kind that made you think of a big burly man holding a kitten. “I need to speak to you right now. Alone.” Her voice was shaking and her fists clinched. He couldn’t tell if she was somber or livid.
Either way, he proceeded with caution.
Ian didn’t finish his shift that day.
Symphani finished Pilates class earlier than usual and caught both her husband Troy, and Ian‘s fiancé, Melissa in their bed. They were mid-tryst and the air in the room was thick. Clearly they have been going at it for a minute, which is wild considering she could come home at ANY minute. He was moving like she was out of town or something. She failed to mention that she decked Troy in the face when he asked why she didn’t tell him she was on the way home. Typical deflection, that’s only designed to anger the ones betrayed.
“How are you holding up?“ Symphani’s voice bringing him back into reality, as he looked away from the parking lot. Ian cleared his throat again, as he placed his clasped hands together on the table. “That’s part of the reason I asked you here today.” He wasn’t looking at her, but she was at him. Outwardly neutral but dying inside with curiosity. “So, although it’s been just a month and everything is still very fresh. Obviously emotions are still high and getting over this is going to take some time.”Symphani nods as Ian is now looking at her. Her curiosity showing its face, just a little. “I feel like the only way to… truly… get over….” “Heal.” Symphani interrupted. “I hate to interrupt, but saying phrases like, “get over it“ in situations that involves acts of betrayal downplays, and minimizes the true pain of it all. You shouldn’t do that, especially considering you’re the victim in this. Sorry, go on.” Symphani sat back against the booth with her hands in her lap. Ian noticed in this moment, maybe because her face was at a slight tilt, that she resembled a 𝒻𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑒. Neither of them spoke for a moment, the clattering of silverware and distance chatter filling their space, before Ian finally exhaled and spoke all in one breath. “In order for me to heal from this, truly heal, I think it’s fair if I get to sleep with someone else. And…” he clasps his hands once again. “… I was wondering if you’d be that person. For me.” That burst of confidence wore off the same way endorphins do after you get your nipple pierced and it’s time for the next one. Her eyebrows rose questionably, but slowly eased down as a smile cracked against her plump lips. She was a 𝖛𝖆𝖒𝖕𝖎𝖗𝖊 now, or maybe a 𝓈𝓊𝒸𝒸𝓊𝒷𝓊𝓈. “You just want to fuck me.” Her voice low, as she moved in her seat a little, while Ian didn’t have a clue on how to respond to that. Symphani was beautiful, that was undeniable, but he never truly thought of her in that way. He was friends and golfing buddies with Troy, so he’s always thought of her respectfully. He was ready to marry Melissa before all of this. But now he wanted Melissa to feel how he does. But did he really want Symphani, or was it just easier since they’re familiar with one another ? They were sharing the same pain for the same situation, although she’s seen it with her own eyes. His eyes stared unblinkingly at her, waiting for her to call him insensitive, or a perv.
She rolled her eyes and gives him a full smile this time, her teeth impeccable. He could tell she would look perfect in missionary. He shrugs nonchalantly and looks out the window. She marvels in his bashfulness. “Okay” she says casually. “R-really?“ Ian taken by surprise. “Yeah, I mean…” she pauses, her sudden switch from confident-to-reserved pulled at something in him. “… I feel like even if we don’t do anything, we could at the very least create the illusion of it. “Okay…” Ian nods. “…alright. You think you could make it believable?“ “Oh yeah. I got payback at my high school bully once. Payback is bittersweet, and makes my skin tingle.” Her eyes moved down to his neck. A tattoo that looked like a branch of leaves, curled up on either side of his Adam’s apple.“What’d you do?“ Ian loosening up. She smiled, obviously recounting the little-over-a-decade ago memory, as if it happened the other week. “I’ll save that story for another time.“ She said raising her finger to get the attention of the waitress that spoke to Ian earlier. “Can I get a glass of water with lemon and two menus. Unless…” she looked at Ian, who quickly obliged; suddenly hungry.
“I can…leave a letter on the counter for when he arrives back home.“ Symphani grabbed a fresh lemon and squeezed it into her hot ginger tea, as she took a swig of water. “What would it say?“ Ian asked before taking a bite of his burger that look as though half a pound of meat was used for it. Her eyes start to wander in the clouds as she’s munching on her cilantro fries. “I’m not sure it matters. At least not right now. Something detailing that I’m going to do to him what he’s done to me.“ She intertwined her fingers as she placed her elbows on the table. She was very focused, her eyes narrowed. “No details of where I am. Or who I’m with.“ Her voice is smoother as she begins to accept the idea of actually doing this. “Of course he’s probably going to suspect you. But maybe if we operate on a slightly different timeline, he won’t connect the dots. I’ll figure that part out later.” Ian didn’t speak, he just ate and listened to her work. “I could leave an hour after he leaves for work.” Her eyes zoning out into the parking lot. “Ya’know, in case he comes back home for lunch and decides to call it a day. He’s been taking more days off lately.” She’s zones back in and looks at Ian, sending a jolt through him. “I would hate for me to be in the middle of leaving when he catches me at the door.“ Ian’s eyebrows twitched a bit. “Is he violent towards you?” “No.“ She answers with surprise. “Nothing like that. He’s never even called me names.” Her expression softens as she moved a piece of fallen lettuce around with a fry; her mind wandering elsewhere. “Well, not to my face anyways.“ She adds with a little more life into her. “You think someone is happy but then you find out things like this.” Ian nodded in agreement as he stretched his arms across the top of the booth, his black and gray tattoos more exposed. His right arm was practically a full sleeve, and something in the works on his left inner bicep. “Yeah…” he exhaled. “… I know that all too well.“ “How about…“ Ian leaned forward on to his forearms (the shirt screaming against his biceps) and so does Symphani, as if they were gossiping. “… I come pick you up on the day in question. You already have your bag packed the night before and just hide it somewhere inconspicuous. You can let me know when he leaves. Since you guys live 30 minutes away, I’ll already be nearby. And you’ll be gone within that very hour.” His tone was soft but still rugged. She starts to feel a sense of guilt but also excitement. “But wait…where will we go?“ “Anywhere.” Ian shrugged. “For how long?“ “Overnight?” She pretend-thinks this over before saying “okay”.
She continues to let Ian have the floor, only interested in follow up questions.
“What is it?“ She asked when she could tell Ian was experiencing an epiphany.
“There was this time… Melissa took an emergency flight to Vegas because she said her dad was sick. It was the first trip she’s taken that she turned her location off.” Symphani listened attentively. “She said when she turned her airplane mode back on after her flight landed, it didn’t turn everything back on. But she hadn’t noticed. Of course, I trusted her so I thought nothing of it when it wasn’t turned back on during her trip. She was there for three days. And I remember feeling guilty for her suddenly leaving, because I had a trip for us planned in Overgaard . It was at this restaurant that just opened up, and I was so upset because these reservations were made two weeks in advance. I heard the waitlist is hard to get on so they were made before the restaurant even opened. Very fancy with low lightening. I know it’s just a restaurant, but I enjoyed the days we both were counting down to that special date.” Symphani understood what he meant, but decided to just sit there and smile. He had the face of someone reminiscing on an evening of 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃. “So, you know, I felt guilty for being upset about her having to leave but the reason behind it was more important than the date.” He paused before continuing “I don’t know why, but I always thought that trip was bullshit. I just had no way to prove it.” “Do you remember when this was?”Symphani asked. “Yup. April 22nd.“ “Earth day?“ Symphani arched a brow. “Is it?“ Ian was a bit amused that anyone would keep up with that. “Yes. I remember . I always help my neighbor plant flowers at the community center. Matter of fact…” Symphani paused. “… well, there may be no correlation. But Troy was in the Vegas area for a business trip. He sent me a picture of an Earth Day magnet he got from a convention. It’s on the fridge back home. He talked to me a lot during this trip, even video chat. But he was rarely in his room during these video chats. Mostly the hotel bar or lobby.“ She shrugged. “How many days was he gone?“ “Two.“ Still, Ian felt it was more than a coincidence. Why wouldn’t it be, if he had the audacity to do it in his own bed that he shared with his wife.
Ian rubbed his chin quizzically. “That was the very first trip Melissa took that I hadn’t spoken to her dad on the phone. I was tempted the entire weekend to call his landline, but I think I was afraid of him telling me he didn’t know what I was talking about. I dreaded it, so I left it alone. She even called me less during this trip.“ Ian was rubbing his palms as he stared out the window again. She let him have his moment before speaking. “So how about instead of overnight, three days?” This sounded more of a suggestion, than a question.
Ian was visibly perplexed and shamefully delighted. “You sure?“ “Yeah, but you know. It doesn’t have to be right now. I think we should sit on it for a week before deciding. At the very least. This is a big step we’re taking so after all of this…“ she waved her hand over her purse’s notebook with the timeline and ideas written in pretty cursive “…we should sleep on it, yeah?“ Ian nodded but his expression says he’s all in. “I just don’t want us rushing into something we’ll regret.“ “I’ve thought this over long enough. And today has solidified my decision. I’ll just wait for you to be ready. Whichever you choose, 𝐼 𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒹𝑒𝒸𝒾𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃.” Ian wanted it known he had no doubts on his end.
They paid their own and walked out to the parking lot together, small talk along the way. They stop at Ian‘s pick up truck, not saying much of anything. He’s so used to being at least a foot taller than Melissa, but given Symphani’s height, he felt so much closer to her. “Maybe…” she looked away towards her car, Ian staring at her side profile with unsupervised attention, really soaking her in. “…we should get our paperwork together.“ “I got mine when I found out about all this“ Ian responded almost immediately as he rocked back-and-forth with his hands resting just inside his jean pockets. “Me too.” Symphani replied with an unintentional whisper and smile, as her hands held one another down in front. “Well, I’ll be in touch.” She said as she begins to walk towards her vehicle. Ian grabs her hand and kisses it, his mustache soft but a little coarse. “I got some vacation time saved up. Think about it?“ “Of course.” She tried containing her smile, but she loved how warm and rough his hands were. But also how he was so gentle with them.
Finally, they parted ways.
