Second Month:
Liza looks out over the city from her penthouse balcony. Three weeks and three days since she stood here with a suicidal heart and it is coming back. The air is as heavy as the depression in her heart. She chuckles hearing the song that starts playing inside then takes another sip of vodka.
I look at all the lonely people
I look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice,
In the church, where her wedding has been.
Lives in a dream.
Dreams are better than reality, she thinks to herself.
Waits at the window.
Wearing the face that she keeps
In the jar, by the door.
Who is it for?
Probably for everyone she meets.
All the lonely people,
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people,
Where do they all belong?
No where, that's why they're lonely. She walks back to her mini-bar to pour another glass.
Father McKenzie writing the words
Of a sermon that no one will hear.
No one comes near.
Look at him working,
Donning is socks in the night,
When there's nobody there.
What does he care?
Why should he care? He lives alone with no sex. Wait that's me. She turns off the lights and sits on the couch.
All the lonely people,
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people,
Where do they all belong?
I look at all the lonely people.
I look at all the lonely people.
Eleanor Rigby died in the church
And was buried along with her name.
Nobody came.
Wow, that's my funeral. Nobody will care.
Father McKenzie, wiping the dirt
From his hands as he walks from the grave.
No one was saved.
Saving is overrated.
All the lonely people,
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people,
Where do they all belong?
Liza turns off the stereo and sits in the dark listening to her own thoughts. Everything is still in order, I could finish this tonight. The knock on the door stalls her depression again. "Who is it this time? Colby, mother, Tad." She peeks through the peep hole this time and opens the door slowly. "I assume Colby is still alright?" She takes a drink, finishing her glass. Adam smiles and steps inside when she waves him in.
"Yes, she is. Self-sufficient, stubborn." He takes off his coat.
"She was named correctly. Drink?" He nods; she pours him a glass of scotch and more vodka for herself.
"So, why are you here?" She hands him his drink. "Booty call?" He laughs. She can't help but smile. There is something different about him, he seems freer, lighter.
"I wouldn't call it a booty call, more like a reality check." Liza sits down on the couch; he takes the chair next to her.
"I wanted to know if what happened really happened. I haven't been able to get it out of my head." He can't resist reaching over and brushing her hair back from her face. She lowers her eyes to the once again empty glass in her hands.
"It did." She almost whispers. He uses the tips of his fingers to raise her chin as he puts down his glass with the other hand. When her eyes meet his, he leans in bringing her to him for a kiss. Her lips feel as warm, smooth, and sensual as they did last month. She pulls back a little, he opens his eyes to see hers closed and her face flushed. She opens her eyes. "Adam…" They both stand and are in an intimate embrace before another moment passes. The bedroom doesn't even come to mind as clothes are shed next to the couch. Their bodies collide in gentle motion before sinking satisfied into the softness of the cushions. Their nude forms rest and become chilled as sweat dries and the air kicks on. He pulls his boxers on and helps her button his shirt on her before pulling the afghan over them. She can't help but snuggle next to him with her head on his shoulder. Maybe he'll save me for one more month. Could he be salvation? Adam? Salvation? Not words that I ever thought would go together. She listens to him breath for awhile before opening her eyes to see him watching her.
"Are you cold?" He whispers not wanting to ruin the moment.
"No, I'm good." She brings her hand, covered in a too long sleeve, up to brush her hair off of her face.
"So…maybe this was a …booty call." She laughs.
"It is a very odd to hear those words from you." He takes her hand and kisses it. She watches looking for signs of the man she ran from.
"You started it. I don't think I've ever had a booty call."
"It was called adultery."
"Ah!" He watches to see if that was her way to start a fight. "Well, I'm not married."
"I know." She closes her eyes.
"Checking up on me?"
"No. You are a financial figurehead. Plus, you didn't really think I cut Colby off without a thought. I check in on her from time to time." He thinks on how to word his thoughts.
"She needs to know that. She puts on a brave face, that I can do it alone face but I know she would love to know you care."
"Let's not talk about Colby, or Pine Valley, or the past. Please?" He looks into her blue eyes. "The bed is more comfortable." She smiles. She climbs off the couch followed by Adam, who sweeps her off of her feet and carries her into the bedroom.
Adam once again wakes to the smell of coffee and breakfast, his clothes hanging on the chair. He makes his way to the bathroom where all of his toiletries from last time are set out. He leaves the tie off and carries it and his jacket out to the living room. Liza is setting breakfast on the table when he comes in. "French toast a l'orange." He nods.
"I was feeling gourmet today." She smiles brighter than he's seen yet. He watches her pour coffee and realizes that she has been melancholy both times he's seen her. Though not entirely unenthusiastic in bed. She always was a thrill in the bedroom. Incredible stamina. He notices that she is watching him stare at her and sits down for breakfast. After breakfast, he notices that she doesn't seem to be in the hurry she was last time. She lazily cleans up after them and offers him more coffee.
"Liza…" He stands up. "Are you leaving today?"
"No. I got here later than usual so I still have three glorious days of vacation." He walks to her in the kitchenette.
"So you are here for vacation." She finishes her coffee.
"The first two days I had business meetings but I take the week and spend the rest of it relaxing." Excitement courses through him like a boy on his first date.
"What kind of business?"
"No
work talk either."
"Ok, did you have anything planned for
these days off?"
"No. Why?" She finds herself wanting him to stay to keep away the darkness.
"If you wouldn't mind some company, I could use a few days away from the ordinary."
"I
never would have thought of your life as ordinary, Adam. I don't
mind if you stay." He steps closer to kiss her. "Do you need
anything? Clothes?"
"Clothes are not something I think I'll
need staying here." She smiles before he picks her up, carrying
her back to the bedroom where they spend most of the day and the
next.
Adam walks up behind her and wraps his arms around her waist. "Do you have to go back today?" He kisses her neck. She giggles a little. "Can't you stay one more day?" She turns in his arms.
"No, reality, work, and everything else call me." He nods picking up his coat. She gives him a small kiss before he leaves.
"Dad." JR says walking into the living room. "Where have you been? Colby said that you would be gone for the day. Now four days later…" Adam holds up his hand to stop JR.
"It took a little longer than I thought." He smiles turning around to the bar for water.
"Is
it about CE?"
"Don't worry about it. How's college?" JR sighs smiling.
"Annoying, but little A actually said he was proud of me for doing it, so…I will stick with it till the end." Adam smiles.
"It's great when your child is proud of you." Adam half smiles but JR sees the sadness in his eyes.
"Liza." He whispers. She smiles and interlaces her fingers with his on her stomach. "Was business so tiring?" He kisses her earlobe then her neck. His smell is intoxicating.
"Very." She slips into a sleep zone for a while then sits straight up looking at the other side of the bed that is empty. Liza lays back down pulling her pillow close around her face and sobs until she falls asleep in sadness, exhaustion, and guilt.