“Johnny!” Judy yelled. “What in the hell do you think you’re
doing?” she pulled on his arm.
“I don’t know what I was thinking, you Shrew. You never wanted
me. I was some fucking prize. Well, you’ve got a prize now, you
bitch, so just shut the hell up. I’m doing what I should have
done ages ago.”
The rest of the restaurant was silent. Judy wedged herself out
of her seat. Her burgeoning belly hit the edge of the table. At
least one person in the audience smiled a bit smugly. Oh, how the
mighty had fallen. Unlike most women, pregnancy did nothing to
accentuate her features. Her face was mottled and swollen, and
her hair had none of that expensive bottle shine that it had
known. It hung lankly down her back, pulled away from her face
with a cheap clip.
“Well you didn’t exactly have a problem when you wanted to fuck
me, now did you? It was all, ‘Oh, Baby! Oh, Baby!’ Well. That’s
what you got and don’t you forget it! It was soooo easy to get
you from Dana, just a little ass wiggle and a flash of tit, and
you were drooling. Pathetic!”
Johnny walked across the restaurant as Judy continued to hurl
threats to him. He stopped at the table where Dana were sitting,
attempting to look like she wasn’t paying attention, but failing
miserably.
He looked smaller than Dana remembered. His shoulders seemed to
have caved inward, like someone who’d been beaten badly by life.
She had heard that he’d lost out on the scholarship he’d wanted.
She wasn’t a vindictive person; she had hoped he’d get it.
Perhaps being in college would’ve made him grow up. Then she
shook her head.
“Hey baby.” She looked up at him, astounded. The other diners
seemed to collectively hold their breath.
“Can I help you Johnny?”
He had the grace to look ashamed. He flung a look over his
shoulder. “Don’t mind the banshee.” He paused for a moment. “I
missed you babe. You knew how to treat a guy right. Not like
that.” he jerked his head in Judy’s direction.
“Yeah, I guess there is more to life than getting laid, eh
Johnny?”
He stood silently in front of her.
“Is there something you wanted Johnny? Or did you just want to
irritate your blushing bride?”
“Why didn’t you give it to me, huh? I saw the grin on Mike’s
face…I KNOW you were givin’ it up to him. Baby we were so good
together! Everyone said so!” He pleaded with her.
She could see Judy behind him with a stunned look on her face.
Her anger flushed face faded to a stark white.
“Johnny. Go back to your wife. Mike makes me happy. He doesn’t
play games with me. Which is exactly why you and Judy are perfect
for each other.”
“Dana. Don’t do this to me!” He pleaded, then his face hardened.
He rushed past Dana to Mike, who’d just returned from the
bathroom. “You! This is all your fault!” He launched himself at
Mike, who stood still.
“Do you need another lesson, Johnny? You hurt her once, she
doesn’t want to be hurt again.” He ducked Johnny’s roundhouse
swing.
The restaurant customers watched avidly, as Judy burst into
tears, trying to pull Johnny away.
“Let me go, you dumb bitch! If it weren’t for you, Judy would
still be with me! Ever since I got involved with you, my life’s
gone to shit!” In a rage, he raised his arm to hit her, then
noticed everyone watching. His hand dropped quickly to his side.
“I think it’s time you left. You need to consider what’s
important now. Take some responsibility for your own actions. You
have a baby you’ll need to take care of.” Mike said steadily,
watching at Johnny take a deep breath.
Johnny looked at Mike, then at the rest of the audience. He
turned quickly and walked out the door.
Judy stepped up to Dana. Mike watched, leery. “He still loves
you, you know. As much as he can love anyone. But he’s mine.” She
scowled through red-rimmed eyes. “So you stay away.” She sniffed,
then she too turned away and followed him.
“You okay sweetheart?” Mike put his arm around Dana’s tense
shoulders. “We can leave if you want.”
“Nah. Just a shock is all. The best thing that ever happened to
me was him dumping me.” She smiled at him, and kissed his chin.
“How else would I have gotten you?”