My White Ex Soldier

“Leon, what are you doing here?” she asked looking at him. He still had his boyish charm and good looks in his expensive Armani and D&G clothes. He smiled and looked at her.

“You look good,” he said ignoring her question. “As usual,” he said looking at her. He took a step forward to hug her but she took a step back. She shook her head.

“What are you doing here?” she asked again.

“I am taking a lovely Saturday afternoon off to do some shopping,” he said smiling at her. “What about you? Why are you here?”  He asked looking at her. She looked at the photograph again and smiled.

“Looking at photographs and paintings with my date,” she said. Leon nodded.

“You are on a date? Here? How things have changed,” he said. Desiree turned around and looked at him angrily.

“There is no way you would have known I liked such because all you ever wanted to do was fu*k in hotel rooms overseas, Leon. So, yeah I love art and someone is taking note of that and I am not sorry that it is not you,” she said angrily before turning back to look at the photograph again. She could feel anger taking over. She had clearly never forgotten what he did, the time she wasted with him. He looked at her and smiled.

“I’m sorry, Dee. But I did love you,” he said in a whisper. She let out a sarcastic laugh and turned to look at him.

“If you did then why didn’t you stay with me?” she asked.

“You are the one who left,” he said looking at her.

“I was not about to settle for second best, not at my age,” she said angrily.

“But I still love you, Dee. We can still make this work,” he said touching her hand. She yanked it away and took another step back. By this time Taylor was already walking back.

“Is everything okay here?” he asked looking at Desiree. She nodded.

“Taylor this is Leon. Leon, Taylor Ericson,” she said as the two shook hands.

“We were just admiring this photograph. It is exquisite,” Leon said. Taylor smiled.

“I actually took that one back when I was in Palestine,” he said proudly.

“Really? It is beautiful,” Leon said. “I think I’ll take it. I love supporting local talent,” he said smiling at Taylor.

“I am honored sir. I’ll have the attendant wrap it up for you,” he said as he walked away. Leon turned his attention to Desiree.

“An artist? You are a lucky woman. I hear they are very romantic,” he said looking at her. She shrugged and looked at him.

“I don’t know about the other artists but I can tell you that Taylor is a great lover, better than you ever were on your best day,” she said before walking away. She turned around and looked at him. There was a sick expression on his face. She knew that she had punched him where it hurt most. It was enough that he was still in love with her but the thought that she had been taken by another man was the icing on the cake and she knew it. She smiled as she approached Taylor.

“You left your friend alone,” he said looking at her.

“He is not a friend. He is an ex,” she said. Taylor raised an eyebrow.

“Oh. But there was a ring on his finger or was that after you guys…,” his voice trailed off unsure of what words to use so that he would not upset her.

“I know and it was before us,” she said.

“Was he separated?” he asked. She shook her head.

“No. But I never knew. When we were together, there was no ring, no photographs of his family or anything. I was just as shocked as you are now,” she said, a sad smile on her face. He looked at her sadly.

“I am sorry. But I am not one to judge,” he said. She looked up at him and smiled.

“I think I like you more and more,” she said. Taylor turned around and looked at the attendant. He said a few words to him and slid an arm around her waist. She smiled as they walked towards the door. “Bye Leon,” she said as they walked by him.

“It was a pleasure to meet you sir,” Taylor said as they walked by. Desiree was not sure whether it was the way Leon looked at them, his eyes full of fury or the fact that a good looking, well-built young man was holding her close. All she knew was that it felt great being protected and longed after.

The end.