Decisions: chp. six

Tony had given up on Michelle. He knew he would never speak to her again, unless they were forced to. He knew that if he ever got a chance to apologize to her, he would break down in happiness and relief. He wouldn't even care if she didn't take him back, as long as she knew that he was going to change; As long as some guilt was lifted off his shoulders.

He opened his eyes from a long, restless sleep and blinked. The light streamed into the windows and pierced him directly in the eye. What did he do the night before? He had gone to a bar... He had gotten pretty wasted… and a woman? Oh shit. There couldn't have been a woman…

Tony turned on his side, and the sight of a girl he had never seen before caused him to shriek and jump from the bed. He looked down at himself. No clothes…We didn't...

The woman stirred, and lazily opened her eyes. He dove for the nearest sheet and forcefully covered himself. Oh God, Oh God…

"Hey Tony…"

I am a horrible person. What if I mean something to this girl? And to dump her directly the morning after? He couldn't do that.

He decided it would just have to last a day or two, and then he would gently break up with her. He didn't have much of a choice.

He rubbed his eyes, trying to pretend it hadn't happened. Maybe when he looked again, she wouldn't be there! He felt a flutter of hope in his chest, but it was quickly replaced with a sinking sensation when he removed his hands from his face to reveal her confused expression.

"Oh…Hey…You," he forced himself to spit out, disgusted that he didn't recall her actual name.

To his shock and horror, she moved in for a kiss. Tony had never felt so repulsed by someone in his entire life. Reluctantly, he returned the peck half-heartedly and immediately turned away to wipe the lipstick off.

"So, what do you want to do today? I'm starving," she cooed, overly pronouncing each syllable in an annoying, you're-to-dumb-to-understand kind of way. Then again, maybe it was the aftermath of alcohol.

"Uhhh-" Luckily he was saved the trouble of responding when the phone rang. "Hello?"

There was a long silence. Some stupid kid prank caller… He moved to hang up, when a small voice finally answered.

"Hi,"

It sounded like…No. It couldn't be her. There's no way. Why would she ever call?

"Who's this?" He ventured, just to be sure.

"I…" the voice trailed off, softly, but he knew that voice anywhere. It was her. Relief rushed through his veins. She hadn't given up!

Then panic struck him. The woman was still there. He couldn't talk to Michelle now, not with this mysterious person in his bed.

"Michelle! Oh God, I didn't think you'd ever call. Look, it's uhh… not a good time right now. When can I call you back? I'm so glad you called."

"Honey, who's that? I'm hungry, let's get something for breakfast," mystery-girl lazily droned in the background. What if Michelle had heard that…?

"Is that…a woman?"

No. The worst had happened. This stupid person in his bed ruined his only chance of apologizing!

"Don't hang up Michelle! She's just-"

He waited for a response. What if she had hung up? He wouldn't blame her.

"Are you there?"

Finally, he received a reply.

"You've broken my heart, Tony." The line went dead.

In a state of monstrous disappointment, he hung up the phone, defeated.

"Who the hell was that? Another woman?" Mystery-Girl seemed to gather the worst from the look on Tony's face. "Damn it! How could you do this?" She threw her clothes on and slammed the door.

Tony found he wasn't in the least bit sorry to see her go. He couldn't believe he had wasted his only chance to talk to Michelle.

He could call her back… But her cell phone would have his name show up on the caller ID. She wouldn't answer when she saw it was him.

Maybe he could try to find her. Go to the places she might have gone. But she was probably at a friend's. He had no idea where her friends lived.

He gave up on trying to contact her, knowing that if she did not want to be found, he wouldn't find her.

Tony glanced around their apartment. Well, now it's just his. This thought depressed him immensely. He couldn't bear to be in this space if Michelle wasn't in it with him. He had to leave.

He ran out to his car. Where will I go? A hotel. The thought made sense. No one to bother him there. What hotel? He didn't have to think about this much. He knew the perfect place.

Pulling out of the driveway, he smiled. Finally he would have some peace where he could remember the happy times with his wife.

(A/N: I bet you can guess what hotel… hehe. I'll have the next one up in a few days.)