Part 2

When Michael walked out of the bar he didn't know what to do. He thought drinking would help him forget Maria but it didn't. Michael walked to his car but then realized that he had given Max the keys. Whenever they went to a bar Max always made Michael give him the keys before drinking. Max never drank since he found out a long time ago he could not hold his liquor. Michael didn't want to go back inside to face her again so he flagged down a cab.

When Michael arrived home the only thing he wanted to do was to go throw himself down on the bed and forget this day ever happened.

"Michael honey is that you?" he heard Jenny call from the kitchen.

"Yes it's me," Michael started to walk toward the bedroom when he felt Jenny wrap her arms around him from behind. Michael resisted the urge to pry Jenny's arms off of him.

"So how was tonight? Did Max have a great birthday? I'm sorry I couldn't make it."

"It went okay. Besides you're sick. Why aren't you laying down?" he asked turning around to look at her.

"I started to feel better so I went to the kitchen to fix me a snack but as soon as I smelled the food I knew it was a mistake. Michael how much did you drink?" Jenny asked smelling the alcohol on his breath.

"A little too much. I'm going to go lay down," Michael said trying to walk away from her.

"You need to go shower. The hot water will make you feel better. You go to the bathroom and I'll get your bed clothes."

"You should just go lay down yourself. You shouldn't worry about me. Your sick."

"Michael I like taking care of you. Besides I can't rest until I know you're alright."

Michael walked to the bathroom and sat down on the toilet trying to get himself together. *What is wrong with me? I have a saint for a wife who would do anything for me. She loves me and here I am thinking about another woman. What kind of bastard am I?*

"Here you go Michael," Jenny said bringing in Michaels clothes and a clean towel. Jenny started to help Michael undress when he stopped her hands.

"Let me do it. You go lay down and I'll be there in a minute."

"I want to help you," Jenny said.

"Then go lay down. It doesn't help me if I have to worry about you getting sicker."

"If your sure," Jenny then turned to leave the room.

Michael stripped off his clothes and then turned on the shower hoping it would wash away all the memories of tonight. When he closed his eyes to let the water pound on his skin all Michael could see was Maria and he heard her singing at the bar. Michael cursed himself and got out of the shower. After he showered and changed he when to crawl in bed. He thought Jenny was asleep but as he lay down he felt Jenny's arms snuggle around him.

"I hope you feel better Michael. I love you," She whispered drifting off to sleep.

"I love you too," Michael said back. And he did love her. Just not in the way she wanted.

Maria finished her set and went back to the dressing room to change. As she was fixing her hair Liz came up behind her. "You were a hit Maria!" Liz said hugging her friend.

"Thanks," Maria smiled.

"Look I'm sorry about earlier but since Michael's gone would you join Max, Kyle, and I at the table. I really want you to get to know Max. Besides I think Kyle really likes you. He's really cute. If I wasn't totally in love with Max I would go for him."

"O.K. just let me finished fixing my hair." *Maybe this is just what I need to take Michael off my mind. Besides Kyle is handsome. Maybe he's just what I need.*

Maria soon joined Liz and the guys at their table. Kyle was becoming disinterested once Liz had joined their table. He found Max and Liz's relationship dull. He was about to leave when he saw Maria come to sit at their table.

"Maria can I get you anything to drink? You must be thirsty after all that singing," Liz asked.

"I would like a cola but I can get it myself."

"No I'll get it. Technically I'm still on the clock so I better at least make it appear like I'm working." Liz left the table leaving Maria feeling awkward with just two guys she didn't know.

"So how did you and Liz meet?" Maria asked Max.

"Actually we meet at a book store. We both reached for the same book. She let me have the book and I said I would let her borrow the book if she agreed to have dinner with me. After that I knew we were meant to be together."

"I can't believe Liz didn't tell you. I thought that's all you woman do was yap about your boyfriends and discuss every minute detail," Kyle added.

"Hey that's a sexiest remark! We do not yap."

Kyle liked the spark he saw in Maria's eyes when she got angry.

"Anyway I think Liz didn't want to rub in the fact that's she so happy with someone when I'm still single."

Kyle thought this evening was defiantly picking up.

"So when did you start singing?" Max asked. Liz returned to the table with Maria's cola.

"Thanks Liz, Anyway I started singing when I was a child just for fun. Then in college I took a bunch of music classes and started writing my own songs. I tried singing at some clubs but I was never discovered. I realized I needed to get a job to support myself in case my dream never came true. That's when I started working here."

"After tonight I defiantly think all your dreams are going to come true. I would defiantly like to help anyway I could. You have every thing you need to make it big. You have a sexy voice with a body to match. I don't know why your still single but I would like to rectify that if I could."

"I think that's our cue to leave. I'll just go clock out and I'll meet you out front," Liz said to Max.

"I'll get a ride home from Liz. Here are the keys to Michael's car. You can drive yourself home and then return the car in the morning," Max said to Kyle handing him the keys.

Max then left Kyle and Maria alone. "So do you need a ride home Maria?" Kyle asked turning his attention back to her.

"No thanks. I drove my Jetta here. I better be going. I have to get up early tomorrow," Maria started to get up to leave.

"Maria. I know we just met but I would really like to take you out some time. Do you think we could possibly go out next Wednesday? I could take you to a movie. You pick, or we could do something else."

"No I'd love too. Let me write down my address for you," Maria said getting a pen from her purse and writing her address on a napkin. *Maybe he's the one,* Maria hoped. She had been lonely for to long. It was time for her to start living again.


The next morning Michael woke up with an incredible headache. He tried to open his eyes but the light made his headache worse.

"Here are some aspirins Michael. I figured you would need them," Jenny said handing Michael the pills and orange juice.

"Thanks," Michael replied taking the pills from her.

"You should call in sick for work today Michael. You're in no shape to go," Jenny said taking a seat next to Michael on the bed.

"I'll be fine once the pills start working and I take a cold shower."

After Michael showered, changed, and tried to choke some food down Michael realized Max still had the keys to his car. Just then he heard the doorbell ring.

Jenny went to answer the door and was surprised to see Kyle there so early in the morning. She led him inside to Michael.

"Hey man. I was just returning the keys to your car. Liz drove Max home so he gave the keys to me. How's your hangover Michael?" he asked noticing Michael rubbing his head.

"It'll pass," Michael said continuing to rub his forehead.

"Alright I'll just be going. My car still parked in your driveway."

"Wait Kyle before you leave, I meant to ask you. I have an extra seat to the hockey game next Tuesday and I know you're a big fan so do you want to go?"

"Actually I've got a date that night."

"Oh with who?"

"A lady friend,"

"So who's the girl? Sandy, Tess, Mary, Linda, or what was you last date's name?"

"Funny. I don't even know a girl name Linda."

"You mean you forgot her name already. Kyle you have a new girl every week. So who is it this week?"

"Maria," Kyle answered.

"Maria who?" Michael asked knowing that the answer better not be what he was expecting.

"Deluca. I'm going out with Maria Deluca," Kyle said stepping back waiting for Michael to explode.

"I don't think I heard you right," Michael asked shaking his head.

"Yes you did."

"I'm not going to let you hurt her."

"Who says I'm going to hurt her?"

"Oh come on Kyle! You're a womanizer. You use woman for one thing and then you dump them. I've had countless woman come crying to me after you've dropped them wanting to know what they did to make you leave them."

"Look Michael it's none of your business. I've got to get to work."

"You're not going anywhere," Michael said walking after Kyle who was trying to leave.

"Is there a problem?" Jenny asked walking into the room. "You guys were getting kind of loud."

"Michael was just upset that I couldn't go with him to the hockey game next Wednesday because I have a date but we'll do something together another night."

"Sure." Michael said calming down now that Jenny was in the room.

"So do I know this girl you're taking out? She must be really special to turn down going to a hockey game with Michael."

"Maria DeLuca."

Jenny froze when she heard that name. "Isn't she the girl you went to High School with?" Jenny asked turning to Michael.

"Yes she is."

"We actually ran into her last night. She was singing at the club," Kyle added.

"How's she doing? I can't believe she's not married. She was so beautiful in high school." Jenny asked.

"Maria's great. She's got a beautiful singing voice, and I don't know about high school but she's a knockout now. Look I need to get going," Kyle said trying to leave once again.

"I'll talk to you later Kyle," Michael yelled.

"I'm kind of busy all this week," Kyle said leaving before Michael could say anything else.

"I better be going to work," Michael said turning to his wife. She grabbed him and gave him a kiss before he left.

After Michael left Jenny collapsed on the couch. *I thought this whole thing with Maria was over. What is so great about her? I thought Michael would have moved on by now but I saw Michael's face when he heard Maria was going out with Kyle. Why can't he love me? After all these years I thought I could make him.*