Melanie had ordered a soup and chicken salad sandwich. Wrinkling her nose, she rather intensely picked at the halved grapes in her sandwich, tossing them aside disgustedly.
Meanwhile, Sasha was protesting at such a waste. She seriously eye balled the sad unwanted little grapes. “The hell girl,” she asserted rather boisterously. “If you don’t want them, then hand them over, you picky bitch. Damn…” She stabbed at the grapes in Melanie’s sandwich that were covered in a creamy mess.
Melanie scrunched her face wryly and raised her hands in the air. “Have at them. You’re disgusting,” she hissed. She jingled the loose bangles on her wrists.
Amber just sat in the sidelines plowing through her Caesar salad until she could stand it no more. “So,” she drew attention to herself. “I don’t know what to do with myself.” She looked hopelessly at the greens on her plate. For some reason they didn’t appeal to her so much anymore.
Both girls looked at her with sarcastic expressions.
“You’re kidding me, right?” Sasha was the first to speak. “You’re getting married to a rich British billionaire who also happens to be ex-military, and you don’t know what to do with yourself?” She laughed incredulously. “Better start thanking God for that one.”
Melanie merely nodded along, stuffing her face with another bite of salad. “You’re sure damn lucky girl.” The words were barely audible as she chewed down.
“I know I am,” Amber treaded the subject lightly. “And I am grateful for how fortunate I am. But that is beside the point. He’s ex-military like you said and that’s the problem. He doesn’t sleep at night and when he does he has nightmares.”
Melanie pointed out the obvious. “I believe you’re talking about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, honey bun.”
“I know what it is,” Amber snapped.
Raising her eye brow, she apologized. “Sorry. Was just saying.”
“He won’t sleep with me at night anymore. Like at first he would, but now he just waits for me to fall asleep.”
“Where does he sleep?” Sasha questioned curiously.
“On the couch usually, or wherever he can get comfortable.”
“I’m sorry girl,” Sasha tried to sympathize. “Has he tried to explain things to you? Did he used to do that?”
“I don’t know. I never really paid attention to his sleeping habits. I think its how he’s always been. But it’s something I’ll just have to get used to… He won’t sleep with me anymore after nearly stabbing me in the middle of the night.”
“Seems to me he needs a special kind of woman to help him get through this. And if you think you’re that woman for him, then it will all be worth it in the end.” Sasha’s motherly instincts were taking over as she rocked the baby carriage back and forth. Baby Abel had begun to stir.
Amber dared to ask the one question on her mind. “Did your husband ever have that problem when he got back from overseas years ago?”
Sasha’s eyes darkened at the mention of her dead husband.
“I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have…” Amber trailed her sentence as Sasha shook her head.
“No, its okay. And yes, my husband went through a long time like that as well. There were nights he would drink himself to sleep. Those were the problems I had with it. But we kept through it and I encouraged therapy. After a time he got better and we were able to mend our relationship.” She took a sip of her sweet tea to hide the moistening tears. Apparently the memory of him was still painful.
The conversation came to a standstill. The women just finished eating in silence until Melanie settled eyes on a young hunk of a male.
“Excuse me, ladies,” she said while wiping her mouth and fixing her boobs. “Mm, baby, give me a piece of that ass.”
“I swear she thinks between her legs,” was all Sasha said.
*
The apartment felt oddly lonesome as Amber lay cuddled in the huge bed. Tonight was the first night back in New York and Charles wouldn’t be joining her for another day or two. It depended on his work schedule.
Sometimes she hated his work because of how much it ruled his life. Back when she had met him was his off season. There wasn’t really a whole lot requiring his attention. Now it seemed every day there was a reason for him to stay away from her even longer.
It was midnight and everything lay in darkness. The weather had started to change and the air grew chill during the night.
She lay snuggled in her large king bed surrounded by pillows galore. Nothing disturbed her sleep. Not even the sound of night bugs outside her window until her phone began to vibrate like crazy.