On the Other Side(86)

Each time Neal walked closer to Damita, she stepped back.

He smiled. “You don’t have to be afraid of me. I don’t hold a grudge. I came back to get what belongs to me.”

Damita stared at him confused. “What is that?”

“You, of course.”

“Neal, I don’t belong to you. I never have and I never will.”

“You’re still my wife.”

“I see you haven’t changed a bit.”

“You certainly have. I’ve got to tell you. I’m impressed. I always believed you were weak; a whining, sniveling thing that didn’t deserve my respect. I must say I’ve changed my thoughts on that. If it weren’t for the fact that I lost an entire year of my life, I would be quite amused with all of this.”

“By the way, what has happened to you since you moved here? Are you completely devoid of manners? It must have something to do with you living with those hillbillies. I’ve been here almost fifteen minutes and you haven’t offered me a drink or even a seat.”

“That’s because you’re not my guest.”

“I’m going to sit down anyway. You see, these days I can’t stand for very long. Do you want to hear the list of my afflictions? I’m sure you noticed the limp. In addition to my limp, I also lost my sense of smell and therefore a small portion of my ability to taste. I have partial hearing loss in my right ear, balance problems and constant headaches. I also find it difficult to concentrate on anything for too long a period of time. That’s why finding you has been a godsend. I executed your discovery with such precision and for the first time since I’ve been out of the coma, I was able to focus on one thing and stick to it. You motivated me to get past my handicaps. However, I agree with you. Technically, I’m not a guest. You and I both know you’ve never considered me anything more than an annoyance. So, it makes sense that considering me a guest would be a stretch. What about Lester? Was he a guest?”

“How long have you been watching me?”

“I’ve been watching you for quite some time.”

“So, why now? Why did you decide to show yourself now?”

“I wanted to toy with you for a while. However, the game started to get boring. Besides, I had no intention of standing by while you played house with some loser. I mean really, Damita, that guy is so beneath you. That was your choice after me? When I saw you with him, I was embarrassed for you.”

Damita’s face saddened. “He was a good man. I’m glad he was nothing like you. He was there for me from the moment I met him until the day you killed him.”

Neal smirked. “I see you figured out that was me. You’re smarter than I give you credit for.”

“That’s the first thing you’ve said to me that I agree with. Once you’re gone and I can truly get on with my life I plan on embracing that fact so much more. Thanks to Lester, I also finally know what real love looks like. He showed me something that will stay with me the rest of my life and hopefully it will keep me from making a mistake like you ever again.”

Neal laughed loudly.

“What’s so funny?” Damita asked.

“You honestly think after all I’ve been through I’m going to give up that easily? This time it’s for keeps, doll face.”

It was Damita’s turn to laugh.

“I’d rather die than spend even a day with you. I had a good life before I met you. I don’t know why I couldn’t see that or why I felt you were the person that was going to make that life so much better. But, I did, I had a good life. I had people who truly loved me. You represent the only thing that was ever wrong with my life. I will never be with you. The thought of it makes my stomach turn.”

“Don’t worry, Damita, there will be plenty of time for that.”

Neal got up and started walking toward her. He was surprised to see her stand her ground. She didn’t cringe or cry and looked him directly in the eyes. That’s when she noticed the left side of his face. She smiled.

“I’m glad to see you’re amused,” Neal said.

“I am. I’m quite amused. You seem to have missed recounting one of your afflictions. What happened to your eye?”

“Ah. So I did forget. Makes sense though, that’s probably the memory loss. The sloping on my left side is due to the stroke I had shortly after your attack.”

“Oh.”

Damita wondered what it would take to anger him. When they were together it didn’t take much, but something had changed. He had yet to lose his temper. She was counting on him losing his temper. The difference between Neal then and Neal now, was that he had several disadvantages and Damita had every intention of capitalizing on as many of those disadvantages as she could.