Against All Odds:5

IF WE WERE OUR REJECTIONS

"Oh sorry I didn't know you had company" Matrix said uncomfortably.

            "No, no don't worry come on in.  You're always welcome here." Said Bob cheerfully.

            "So what happened?" Bob asked.

The large sprite walked carefully into the room.  Openly eyeing the young woman sitting in the chair he had pictured himself sitting in.  He looked over at the fold out couch, and noticing it had already been made up, he sighed.  He found a place at the kitchen table where they had relocated.  The young woman began to pour some drinks. 

"Beer for you two?" She asked casually.

"Sure."

"That would be great Sira, thank you."

            Sira served the two men their drinks, and poured herself some water.  Matrix watched her suspiciously.  The theory behind her presents that was forming in his mind drifted through the air as an uncomfortable silence descended upon the inhabitance of the room.  Finally the tension exploded in a single comment.

"So, Sira, I'm Matrix"

"I know who you are.  I believe most people around here knows who you are if I'm not mistaken.  I'm Sira.  I'm just staying here until I can afford my own place.  Bob was nice enough to let me stay here."

"Oh" was the only answer the young renegade was willing to offer.

"Man, I really hate married life sometimes.  I can't stand being settled.  Now we have to make joint financial decisions and stuff.  I don't care what we invest in! Man I wish she would just leave me alone sometimes."

"You know Matrix, now that you aren't dealing with a crisis you should try to enjoy the little things in life that you didn't get to experience before.  Unfortunately those things come with the bad experiences as well.  You can't own an apartment and not do something in order to pay for it, such as investing your money.  In the end you will probably end up being glad you dealt with your financial issues earlier rather than later.  And about AndrAIa not leaving you alone. I know you, and sometimes you can be a real loner.  She may not know she is bothering you.  Try telling her."

            Bob's advice didn't seem to make Matrix any happier.  He wasn't one to take constructive criticism in a constructive way.

"You don't know what you are talking about.  You just want me out of hear so you can go and fuck your little ho.  I know why she's here.  You are a seriously messed up.  But no one is supposed to say that now are they? Poor Bob he's been through so much we can't upset him now can we?!  Suck it up.  You're not the only tortured sole around here you know.  We all went on with our lives.  You should too.  Who are you to criticize my life when you can't even get laid by anything better than the trash you used to want to get rid of?  I'm out of here."

            With a slam of the door the silence started. 

"It's late, we should get to bed."  Bob said suddenly sounding tiered.

That night Sira heard her hero crying himself to sleep.  The guilt began to set in once more.  She knew she had the power to take some of the hurt away, to mend the broken man he had become, but she couldn't bring herself to tell him.

            The next morning the two inhabitance of the apartment gathered at the table for breakfast.  Bob sat down at the table with a sigh.  Sira did the same silently.  She couldn't stand the silence.  She needed to know what he was thinking, and what exactly had happened to him since they had last talked with her as herself. 

"Do you want to talk about it?"  She asked innocently

"I know you want to know what he meant by 'he's been through so much', and I think it would do me good to tell you." He said as he then began his story.