No More Tears In The End

“Long as you don’t let me fall I can walk.”

Rain showed me the way out the back door. That’s when I saw it, another computer sitting on a desk where anybody and everybody could use it.

We made it to my car without her doin’ too much stumbling. I unlocked the door and helped her get in. When I started the car I turned to Rain. Her eyes were closed. “Where do you live?”

“Mount Vernon,” she said and repositioned herself.

“Where?” I asked and turned on the navigation system. Rain said the address and made herself comfortable.

Rain slept through the drive to her apartment. While she slept, I thought about what I was doing, and more importantly, what I was about to do. I mean its not like I don’t see where this was goin’.

Rain had been flirting with me all night and I went along with it because I wanted something. I could have shut it down anytime I wanted to, but I didn’t. I used it. Used her.

I had sized-up her father’s gambling operation and she told me everything I needed to know about her brother. But now I wasn’t so sure that it was Miles. Anybody could have sent those e-mails. I was back to square one.

But either way, I got what I came for, so what was I still doing with her? Drunk or not, I could have left Rain right where she was, and she would be just fine.

I thought about Wanda. I loved her, but I had to admit that Rain moved me in ways Wanda doesn’t. They were exact opposites. Wanda’s a businesswoman and Rain’s a ride-or-die chick.

“Rain, Rain.” I nudged her. “We’re here.”

The ride seemed to have sobered Rain up enough that she got out of the car under her own power. “I’m okay, I can walk,” she slurred as she gathered herself together. I was thankful. Carrying her inside was the last thing I wanted to do.

Rain semi-staggered toward her door and fumbled for her keys. Once she unlocked the door I started to say goodnight. “I'll-”

She grabbed me by the arm. “Come in, I want to show you my place.”

“Just for a minute, I got someplace I need to be.”

“Have a seat,” she said, stepping out of her heels as soon as she walked through the door. I followed her in, looking around the apartment. “Very nice, Rain.”

“Thank you,” she said and started

walking toward the back of the apartment.

I started to sit on the couch, but selected a lone chair instead. “You want a drink?” she said when she came back.

“What do you have?” From where I was seated it looked like she had taken off her bra.

“Patron okay? It’ll have to be, it’s all I have.”

“I guess it will have to be,” I stood up and walked toward the kitchen. Rain came out carrying the bottle and two glasses. She handed me a glass and then took a step closer. “What should we drink to?”

“I don’t know,” I replied, stepping toward Rain almost out of instinct.

“Let’s drink to tonight. I had a good time with you.”

“I enjoyed you too. We have to hangout again.”

“Do you mean that?” Rain said, almost in disbelief. “You wanna hangout with me?”

“Yeah.”

“I was startin’ to think you didn’t like me.”

“Why? Because I’m not all over you?”

“Yes. Most men can’t resist me, but you treat me like a little girl.”