I called Fran first.
Her machine came on.
Then Mike.
His phone just kept on ringing.
Drew and Eric.
Machine.
My dad.
Max said that he was out of town for the week.
Hugo's machine was on, so I called Mocha Daze.
Jenn answered. "Mocha Daze. Can I help you?"
"Jenn, is Hugo there?"
"Greg? Is that you?"
"Yes."
"You know he doesn't want to talk to you."
"I have to talk to him."
"We're real busy here. I'll let him know you called."
She hung up.
I rolled over and went back to sleep.
When I woke up I tried to call everyone again.
It was the same story. No answer.
I picked up the phone and called the one person left on my list of friends.
Steve.
"Hello?"
"Hey Steve," I said nervously. "It's me."
"What do you want?"
"I miss you."
"You know where I am. Why don't...you come on over?" I didn't believe him.
I asked him about that woman.
"Just some bimbo I picked up..to get even with you," he responded. I knew there was probably more to it than that-- but suddenly I didn't care.
I hung up and drove over to Steve's.
"That's how you like it, isn't it?" Steve said, pinching my nipples.
I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes.
I'd just wanted to talk, I just wanted to work things out between us.
He said, "Show me what you mean."
I told him I didn't understand.
He grabbed me and we slammed against the wall.
He kissed me.
His tongue forced its way into my mouth and he tore open my shirt.
I did the same to him.
We went at each other like it was the first time as we made our way to bed.
We spent the rest of the day making love.
We lay next to each other, wrapped in bed sheets.
I still felt empty.
But, at least, I wasn't alone.
