On the Other Side(36)

“I saw this in an old movie once and the woman insisted the man put a sheet between them, but they weren’t married. Why don’t you move over? I don’t bite.”

Neal moved closer to Damita and propped himself up on his elbow. He reached down and moved her bangs away from her eyes.

“Damita, I’m sorry about what I did to you. You don’t know how sorry I am. I learned a lot while I was in rehab, but I didn’t finish. I checked out before my time was up. I wanted you to know the truth. This night has meant more to me than you know, but I’m afraid it may be only temporary. I feel like something is broken inside of me; something that can’t be fixed. So, I want to say this, while I still have the strength to. I don’t think I could stand to lose you, but if I have to, now would be the best time for you to leave. I’m drug and alcohol free, and I have a better idea of what’s going on with me. So, Damita, if you want to leave me, you should do it now.”

Damita stared at Neal, still unsure of what she was going to say. Then, suddenly, she knew what she wanted.

“Neal, I love you. I never stopped loving you. If there’s a chance that we can work this out, I want to at least try. You seem like you’re better now; or at least getting better. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll be one of those old couples, married forty or fifty years, who tell their grandkids about that dark period when Grandpa wasn’t so nice to Grandma.

“Maybe we will.”

Damita kissed Neal, drawing him into her with each breath. After making love, Neal tried to stay inside of Damita as long as he could. He didn’t want the connection broken. They clung to one another so tightly, it was difficult to tell where one body stopped and the other started.





CHAPTER THIRTEEN


Damita was surpised at how easy things became after Neal’s short stint in rehab. They even discussed things; like balancing their home life. They both were involved very deeply in their careers and they both agreed it was ludicrous to expect Damita to take on the traditional role of housewife. Therefore, they settled on taking turns cleaning and cooking and balancing it with dinner out. One night Neal decided they would go to his favorite French restaurant, Georges Bistro. The dimmed lighting and the Old World feel of the restaurant was relaxing and just what they both needed after a hard day at work. They drank plenty of wine and enjoyed a great meal of bouillabaisse, steak tartare and French apple cake. They left the restaurant, went home and made love. Damita couldn’t help but think that she actually felt happy.

The next morning, Damita arrived at work with a smile on her face and humming.

“Good morning,” she said brightly, upon entering the office.

“Good morning, Mary Sunshine. Somebody got some last night,” Wendy said.

Wendy joined Damita and walked with her to Damita’s office.

Damita chuckled. “Damn! What do you have a sex radar or something? I just walked in,” Damita whispered.

Once inside Damita’s office, Wendy spoke freely.

“Those of us who are experiencing dry spells are typically acutely aware of when others are getting busy on the regular. And, you, my dear, are definitely getting busy on the regular. From the looks of that smile on your face, you’re more than getting it regularly; you’re getting it good and on the regular.”

“Shhh,” Damita cautioned.

“What? It’s just us girls here.”

“Mr. Underhill gets in earlier than everyone else. Do you want him to hear what we’re talking about when we’re supposed to be working?”

“From what I hear Mr. Underhill is the Energizer Bunny. I don’t think he’d mind a little harmless sex talk.”

“Great! Thanks a lot, Wendy. Now I’ll have that vision in my mind, and just a few short hours before I have to eat lunch.”

“What’s wrong with Undy? He’s hot!”

“You would think so. We have really got to get you laid.”

“That’s what I keep trying to tell you. I swear to God, my cherry’s grown back.”

“You are so nasty,” Damita said.

“Do you want to go out for lunch today?” Wendy asked.

“That sounds good. How about one o’clock?”

“One o’clock it is!”

Wendy came looking for Damita in her office and when she didn’t find her there decided to look for her in the restroom. As soon as she walked in she could hear someone throwing up.

“Damita, is that you?” Wendy asked.

“Yeah, it’s me. See, I told you your little anecdote about Mr. Underhill would make me sick,” Damita said, chuckling.

“I don’t care what you say, he’s hot! Are you going to be okay?” Wendy asked.