I'd been calling her ever sense I got back.
There's been no answer.
I went to her place and walked up to the door, a bouquet of flowers in hand.
I was about to ring the doorbell when I looked through the glass on the door.
I had a perfect view of Jane's bedroom. The door was open and Jane was in bed.
She wasn't alone.
If I had rang the doorbell I don't know if she would have heard it. She was to busy.
Jane straddled one of the woman's legs, grinding into it. She had a hand on one of the woman's breast, her mouth locked around the other. Her other hand was stroking between her partner's legs. The woman's hips bucked with pleasure.
Jane lifted her head and the two of them kissed.
The heat and passion from that kiss hit me like a bomb blast.
I wanted to leave. I wanted to punch my hand through the glass. I just stood there and watched.
Some men say they fantasize about watching their wives or lovers do it with another woman-- how the thought of it turns them on.
Well, I stood there for five minutes and watched someone I thought cared for me break my heart. It didn't turn me on.
I put the flowers down on the porch and left.
Hugo gave me a hug when I saw him at the AA meeting that night.
"So," he said, releasing me from his grip. "The prodigal son has returned. Let us kill the fatted calf and feast."
I just looked at him.
"At least let me get you some stale coffee and an even staler doughnut."
"Okay." I said.
We went to the table that had the big pot of coffee and a plate of plain doughnuts.
Hugo poured us each a cup and I passed on the doughnut.
"Good call," said Hugo. "I don't know why they serve those things. If somebody threatened to kill me if I didn't eat one-- I'd rather die. It would be less painful."
We each made a face as we took a sip from our cups.
"How's the shop?"
"It's doing all right. Where are you staying?"
"Some dive on Santa Monica. They rent by the week but, from the looks of it, I think most of their clients rent by the hour."
"Anybody but moi know you're back. Jane for example."
I wanted to tell him about what I saw this morning but I couldn't. "No."
"I think you should see Fran."
"Why?"
"Some Dealer you owe sent some Neanderthals out to see her."
"What?"
"They said they'd be back."
"Shit."
