The Anniversary

“Impressive. You managed to find a single woman you actually find attractive without arm candy.”

“I know. An achievement for me. And Emma’s a cracker.” Emil grinned back. He looked like a strutting peacock. “I think she might be my arm candy.”

“Isn’t she a bit young for you? She’s only twenty-nine.”

“That’s not a big gap considering those you see in the news.” Emil went to the sliding door and opened it. “We can talk outside. No one can hear us there.”

Simone followed him onto the terrace, closing the door behind her. Emil stayed just in the shade as Simone paced out into the sun, dropping her bag onto a table and fidgeting her fingers together.

“What’s going on, Simone? Why are you here?”

Simone decided to be forthright. Beating around the bush would never get anyone anywhere, her mother always said. She turned back to Emil, who was watching her warily, arms folded across his chest.

“Has something happened with Toby?”

Emil blinked.

“How do you mean?”

“He was fine when I left for Nick’s game yesterday. But since I got back he’s been different. He won’t look at me, he avoids touching me and when he does talk to me he sounds like he’s snapping all the time.” Simone brushed her hair away from her face, letting out a frustrated sigh as it fell back. “He’s never been like that with me. I don’t know what to think. You saw him before I got home. Did he say anything?”

Emil looked uncomfortable. He shuffled from foot to foot, trying to look anywhere but at Simone. Simone stiffened. Something had happened.

“Well,” Emil began, “He was upset yesterday. He…”

He paused, gnawing at his lip and going bright red. Simone wanted to grab him and shake him. She didn’t like being kept in limbo.

“What is it, Emil? Don’t go shy on me now.”

“Are you cheating on Toby?”

Simone took half a step back as Emil blurted out the question. Her heart sank. It was as she feared. Toby did think she was cheating.

She sighed and went to her bag. She retrieved her cell phone and went back to Emil, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but with her.

“I’m going to tell you something, Emil.” Simone tried to keep calm. “But you’re going to have to keep this from Toby.”

“How can I keep this quiet?” Emil looked incredulous. “If you’re cheating on your husband I have to tell him. I may be a womanizer and sleep with cheating women but that’s not Toby’s style. He’s my best friend.”

This was going to be difficult. Simone found the number she wanted and held it out to him.

“Call this number. See who picks it up.”

“Simone, I don’t want to talk to your boyfriend.”

“Call it, Emil.” Simone shoved the phone into his hand. “Trust me, okay? It’s not what it looks like.”

Emil grunted, clearly not happy.

“That’s what they all say when they’ve been playing away.” He muttered. But he pressed the number and held her phone to his ear as he let it ring. Simone saw when he heard the recorded message at the other end. His expression changed from slight disgust to stunned amazement. He stared at her, phone still against his ear.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.” Simone took the phone away and ended the call. “That’s the office number for the guy who texted me yesterday.”

She knew Emil wasn’t stupid. He would figure out what was going on without Simone needing to spell it out. Emil was staring at her, the disgust having disappeared from his face.

“So, you’re not…”

“No. I can see why he would think that but I would never do that to Toby.” Simone didn’t blink. “I love him, Emil.”

“I know that.” Emil let out a chuckle and hugged her. “I’m just relieved. But you do know that Toby doesn’t like surprises.”

Simone sighed.

“I know he doesn’t but he’ll like this one. He’s always talking about doing it but we’ve never done anything.” She looked up at Emil and bit her lip. “Although I have a feeling this one has gone wrong already.”

Emil had no answer to that. He pressed a kiss to her head and let her rest her head on his chest.

*****

Charlotte picked up another slice of pizza and bit into it. Strings of cheese hung between her mouth and the slice before she chewed on her end and it dangled down onto the plate.

“I missed you at school today, Carl.” She said around her mouthful. “It feels weird not seeing you around, hanging out at our lockers and sitting together at lunch.”

“I know.” Carl selected another chicken wing. “But the doctors said not to come in for a couple of weeks. I need rest and lots of it.” He grunted. “That’s not easy when I still have to work at home.”

Not that he could complain much. The tutor they had sent him Carl liked. The man was his substitute English teacher and they had bonded over their love of books. He was also Native American so he understood Carl’s issues with his mixed heritage. He gave Carl the work he needed to do and helped him out, even when he admitted he didn’t know much about the subject Carl was working on.

He had a feeling he had learned more in the last three days than he had at school. Carl wondered if his parents would let him get home-schooled for the rest of the year.

“People are saying you’ve been suspended.” Charlotte broke into his thoughts.

Carl sighed. People would say anything to maintain gossip, even if it was a complete lie. He had been on the receiving end of it too many times.

“And you’re listening to the rumors?” He asked.

“No way. You told me what happened and I’ve set them straight.”

Charlotte was silent for a moment, finishing off her slice. She looked like she was focusing on her eating but Carl knew her. He could read her easily; his best friend was debating whether to tell him something important. Something he might not like.

And he was right.

“Security at school found the footage of Jason attacking you. The school is bringing their own case against him.” She bit her lip. “You’re going to have to give a statement.”