Just a Number Read Online Free PDF

There’s a sharp inhale that I assume comes from Amy before she says, “Gr-Gretchen.”
     

5. 1, 2, 3 Red Light

    I stand there, eyes wide and mouth agape while Gretchen simply smiles. But it’s not warm and friendly. Her light, expertly highlighted hair is pulled back, and her makeup is immaculate, as usual.
    “Amy, how nice to see you again.” Her eyes move up and down, eyebrows pulling together with displeasure, and I suddenly feel self-conscious. I look over at the mirror by the front door to see that I’ve got flour all in my dark hair, and my face and shirt are covered also.
    “Amy?” Owen calls from the kitchen, and I can hear the anger in his voice as he joins us, stopping in his tracks when he sees who is at the door. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
    Gretchen looks between the two of us, all covered in flour, and I know what she must be thinking—especially when her gaze falls to Owen’s waist and sees my very obvious handprints there. Her eyes widen, and she looks at me with a very pointed and piercing stare. “What exactly have I walked in on?” She looks back to Owen. “Little young, don’t you think?”
    “Amy, go back to the kitchen. You don’t need to take this.”
    “Oh,” Gretchen interjects, taking an uninvited step into the house toward me. “Actually, I think she does. You think you can screw my husband?” Her voice rises in both tone and pitch.
    “I-I...” I stammer nervously.
    “Amy, go,” Owen hisses, grabbing me by the elbow and gently pulling me back. “Gretchen, go back to Seattle and finish getting your shit out of my condo.”
    Not wanting to intrude, I rush back to the kitchen and flop down in one of the dining room chairs. While Owen is trying to keep his voice low, Gretchen does anything but; she wants to make as big a production as possible; it’s not in her nature to do otherwise.
    “So this is why you left? So you could play house with a girl half your damn age?”
    “Go home, Gretchen—wherever that is now.” I can tell Owen is trying to remain calm, but I can hear the anger in his voice slowly beginning to escalate; I’ve known him long enough and heard enough of their fights to know when he’s close to his breaking point.
    Gretchen scoffs. “You can’t really be willing to throw away thirteen years for her.”
    “Not for her,” Owen assures her. “But because you couldn’t stop sleeping around!”
    I slap my hands over my mouth to contain a gasp; she cheated on him? Why the hell would anyone cheat on him ?
    “And you’d throw away everything for one minor indiscretion?”
    “Minor?” Owen barks out a laugh. “ One? Four different men, Gretchen. Four. I’d say that classifies as a little more than a ‘minor’ indiscretion.”
    “But, Owen—”
    “No!” he shouts, startling even me. “Go back to Seattle and pack your shit. I want you gone before I get back on Tuesday.”
    “But, I love you,” she tries to bargain sweetly, but even I can see through it; she’s so damn transparent.
    “No, you love my money. Now go !”
    The door slams, and I stand up and turn around just as Owen returns. “I’m sorry you had to hear that. I didn’t think she’d show up here.”
    I shake my head and take a few slow steps toward him, almost like I’m afraid of spooking him. “Don’t be sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sure this couldn’t have looked good.”
    “Like I give a shit how it looked to her,” he said, his eyes showing his pain. “She sure as fuck didn’t care how I would feel, so if she thinks something is going on between us, so be it.”
    I can see that he’s hurting, and when the rims of his eyes begin to turn red, I cross the kitchen and wrap my arms around his neck without another thought. He welcomes my embrace, wrapping his strong arms around my waist and holding me close.
    “I’m sorry your wife is such a bitch,” I mumble over his shoulder, my fingers mindlessly moving through the hair at the nape of his neck. This makes