"I'm sorry you had to deal with that."
"He buzzed me when you didn't answer and I let him up." Her hands are shaking. "He was so angry."
"He tried calling me several times tonight." I sigh. "I should have talked to him."
I set the mug of warm milk and a linen napkin on a small tray that I place on the table in front of her. I kneel down so I'm at her eye level. "I'm going to take care of this. I won't let him bother you again."
"Be careful, Ivy." She rests her weathered hand on mine. "His temper is so bad."
"I'll handle it." I lean down to kiss her forehead. "Lock the door before you go to bed."
"Thank you." She manages a small smile. "I will."
***
I change into a pair of jeans, and a pink t-shirt while I wait for Liz. As tempted as I am to call Mark right now, I want to gather my thoughts and my best friend's input before I confront my ex fiancée.
I stare silently at the envelope addressed to Mark on my foyer table before being hit with a realization. I scurry down the hall to my bedroom, heading straight for the bedside table. I pull the drawer out before dumping it on the bed. I rummage through the papers in search of an old love letter Mark sent me a year ago when he was in Tokyo on business. I grab for it before running back down the hallway in my bare feet. I take a deep breath as I pick up the envelope I've been holding for Mark.
The buzzer startles me. "Liz?" I say into it.
"Let me up."
I buzz her in, my heart racing.
I open the door to my apartment, the two letters still clutched in my palm.
"He sent this envelope to me." My words assault her before she's even stepped foot off the elevator.
"Who sent you what?" Liz pushes past me. "I need a drink."
"Mark." I motion towards the kitchen. "He sent me this envelope."
"I haven't a clue what you're talking about." She calls from the kitchen amidst the sound of the cupboard opening and something liquid being poured.
"Mark has been sending me these envelopes." I push both letters towards her as she re-enters the foyer a full glass of white wine in her hand.
"Why pray tell would he do that?" There's obvious sarcasm in her voice.
"I don't know." I try to hand her the envelopes again. "Look."
"You know something." The slurring in her voice is now distinctively obvious as she slaps the letters from my hand. "Not every man wants you, Ivy."
"What?" I'm appalled by her comment but quickly decide that it's all the alcohol she's obviously consumed this evening talking and not her.
"He cheated on you remember? Why would he want you again?" She empties half the glass in one swallow.
"What's wrong with you?" I reach to take the wine glass from her hand realizing she's way past the point of being tipsy.
"Don't!" she screams, pulling the glass back from me.
"Liz, you've had enough."
"I need to use the bathroom." She stumbles down the hall, the glass teetering in her hand.
I call down to the lobby and Oliver quickly answers. "Ms. Marlow? What can I do for you?"
"I need a taxi for my friend, Oliver." I try to calm my quivering voice. "I'll bring her down shortly."
"Of course," he replies. "I'll take care of it."
I reach down to pick up the envelopes from where they landed on the floor. Once again I hold them side-by-side, noting that the writing is identical.
There's a knock at the door. I jump. "Oliver," I say quietly thinking that he must have come up to help me with Liz.
I swing the door wide open. It's Mark. He pushes past me.
"No." I say. "No. Out." I point at the open door.
He pushes it closed with his foot. "I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart. Where the hell were you tonight?"
"That's none of your business," I shout at him. "Why did you come here and terrorize Mrs. Adams?"
"That crazy old bat?" He shakes his head. "I can't believe she's not dead yet."
"I have nothing to say to you." I try to push past him to get to the door. He grabs my shoulders.
"I'm not leaving." The anger in his voice is palpable. "We have some things to settle."
"Like the fact that you keep sending letters addressed to yourself here?" I point at the envelopes on the table.
"I did that so I could see you."
"I hate you." I can feel the tears coming. "Don't you get that? You cheated with three women Mark. Three."
The sudden sound of breaking glass causes us both to turn abruptly.
"Three?" Liz is standing at the entrance to the hallway, the wine glass in broken shreds by her feet. "Three?"