35 Memes
She always thought she had time. She always thought there was no rush. Next time, there would always be next time. But now all her promises have turned to lies. Rex is dead. All he ever had is that old soup can. She can't even be sure if he had a happy life. And her own life is still a mess. Tangled relationships. Complicated histories. Unspoken desires. Shameless lies. All she can do is sit here feeling trapped. All she needs to do is take a couple pictures of herself and post them on her Facebook wall. "Error 404. Courage not found." "Error 505. Problem not solved." One day she would get Rex a fancy hamster cage. One day she would make up her mind and choose the correct path. But all she ever did was turn her head away and live through another day. And now it's too late. And now her head has started to ache. And now her heart is in a cold dark place. Her stomach is empty. So are her fridge and cabinets. It's just another day in her life. Numbness. Chaos. Same old. Same old. Nothing new. Nothing ever changes. She gets older every day and closer to death. And she wasn't even here when Rex exhaled his last breath. She was busy having sex with Morelli during the 7th-inning stretch on his chewed-up couch. And she didn't check on Rex when she came home, took a shower, and crawled into bed. She didn't check on Rex because she smelled of garlic and sex.
Aren't you sick of yourself, Stephanie Plum? Aren't you sick of your lies? Sex, cheap jokes, and beer. Pizza, cheese, and baseball games. And now you have to bury Rex. Are you happy now, Stephanie Plum, are you happy now? Aren't you proud of yourself? She lets out a ragged laugh as another drop of tear falls away. She doesn't even have the strength to reach for her phone and call for help. Connie. Lula. Her father. Albert. Grandma. Val. She wants to be helped. She wants to be saved. But she's with Joe now and Ranger has silently drifted further and further away.
And she only has herself to blame.
*To Be Continued*