Love Heals

“How the hell do I know? I don’t remember what I did or who I did it with!”

“Only one way to find out.”

“And that is?”

“Just go talk to her!” Ruby almost sounded pissed off and Emilio was wondering why Ruby would have any reason to be pissed off. Amused at his expense, yes. Pissed off, no.

“Why are you – are you judging me? Like you’ve never done something dumb.”

“Was it dumb?”

“Yeah, I’d say this is the textbook definition of dumb, wouldn’t you? I mean, isn’t this exactly what all those cheesy filmstrips in high school health class told us not to do? Jeeze, there are fu*king federal programs in place to tell people not to do this.”

“I have a feeling health class wasn’t your strong suit,” Ruby said softly.

“What the hell does that mean? You think I don’t know the pros and cons of hooking up?” Emilio couldn’t believe he was having this conversation.

“It was just a hook-up?”

“How the hell do I know what it was if I can’t remember any – “ Emilio stopped mid sentence. He heard a noise coming from his bedroom. “Sh*t!!”

“What?”

“I think she’s – she’s – up.”

“So now would be a good time to talk, no? If you don’t go in there, eventually she’s going to come out and walk into the kitchen and then you’ll have to talk anyway. Be a man.”

“I’m having problems with that concept at the moment, you know?”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Anyway, how do you know I’m in the kitchen?”

“Lucky guess. Making coffee, right?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m making coffee.” Ruby knew him so goddamn well, Emilio thought. Knowing that made Emilio a bit calmer and for a minute he almost forgot the mystery woman in his bed. But only for a minute.

“Look,” Ruby was saying, dragging him back to the moment, “she’s probably sitting in your bedroom right now, wondering all the same things you’re wondering – How did I get here? how did this happen? What the hell am I going to do about it?”

“You think?”

“Yeah. I think. You weren’t the only one in the bed last night Emilio.”

“Are you lecturing me?”

“I’m just saying.”

“I need coffee,” Emilio said, running his free hand through his hair before reaching for a cup.

“Smells ready. Why don’t you bring him a cup when you go back in there.”

“Yeah,” Emilio said absently, pouring his own before reaching for the milk from the fridge. Then it dawned on him. “Did you say “smells ready”?”

Ruby didn’t reply.

“Ruby?”

“She likes hers light and sweet.”

“How do you know that? What the – Oh sh*t, I think she’s coming out.”

“Yeah? Maybe you should too.”

“What does that mean?” Emilio asked as he walked down the hall back toward his bedroom, phone still glued to his ear and a knot forming in his stomach.

“I mean, this is honesty time Emilio. Open the damn door and talk to her.”

Emilio was as confused as hell, but he did what he was told. He opened the door. He stepped inside. He looked at the woman sitting on his bed.

“You can put the phone down now Emilio.” Emilio heard Ruby tell him. Emilio did that too. And watched as Ruby flipped her phone closed as well.

“Where’s my coffee?”