Player Haters by Carl Weber Page B

at her and smiled. She was a good friend and easy to talk to. Kinda like Diane was before we had those problems a few years ago. I never realized how much I missed having a woman to talk to till now. “You really think she could be cheating on me?”
    “I’m really not sure, Wil. Come on, let’s go upstairs so we can talk about it some more.” She tugged at my hand.
    “Mimi, you just don’t know what me and this woman have been through. I would do anything in the world for her. Why do you think I work all the hours I do? I want to make sure she’s taken care of, you know what I mean?”
    “I know. I wish it were me,” it sounded like she mumbled.
    “Excuse me? I didn’t quite make out what you said.”
    “Oh, I said, maybe that’s the problem. Maybe you were so concerned about the material things that you forgot the little things that made her wanna make love to you in the first place. When was the last time you sent her flowers?”
    “I’m embarrassed to say it, but it’s been a while. Probably when she stopped working last year.” Mimi placed her other hand over mine, and in a comforting gesture began to rub my hand between hers. “Maybe you’re right, Mimi. Maybe I have neglected Di. We almost got divorced a few years back because she thought I was cheating. I’m not gonna jump to conclusions. I need to sit down and talk to my wife.” I pulled my hand back from Mimi’s, realizing we were getting a little too comfortable.
    “Well, that’s not exactly what I’m trying to say. I mean, she could be cheating. I wouldn’t rule it out if I were you.”
    “I have to rule it out. I love my wife.”
    “You do?”
    “Yes, I do,” I replied, kind of surprised by her question. “Thanks for the dinner invitation, Mimi. Maybe one day me and my wife will take you up on it. But for now I gotta go home. I’ve got a lot of making up to do.”
    “Well, let me give you my number just in case things don’t work out and you wanna talk.” She reached in her handbag and pulled out a pen and paper, jotting down her number. She handed it to me, then surprised me by leaning over and kissing me square on the lips. “I’m here for you, Wil. You can call me anytime.”

9
Melanie
    “How ’bout another round on me, ladies?” Tim smiled at Desiree and she eyed him seductively as he refilled our drinks for the third time.
    “You tryin’ to get me drunk so you can take advantage of me, Tim?” Desiree picked up her glass and winked at him flirtatiously. “Because if you are, it’s working.”
    Tim’s smile remained as he walked to the other side of the bar to help another customer. If I didn’t know it before, it was pretty damn obvious now that they both planned on leaving together. Desiree nudged me with her elbow and I shot her an evil glare.
    “What the hell is wrong with you? Didn’t I tell you that fool tried to get with me last week?” I was too through.
    Desiree rolled her eyes. “Please, Melanie. Stop trying to play Mother Teresa. I know Tim ain’t shit. But I’m not trying to marry him. I’m just trying to get my swerve on.”
    “Get your swerve on? You gotta be kiddin’ me. You really gonna give him some after he tried to talk to me?”
    “Why I gotta be giving him some? Why can’t I be gettin’ some?” She sucked her teeth. “It’s been over three months since I had some, Melanie! Three months,” she repeated. “I can’t take it anymore. I need some dick. I need some dick bad. So I might as well make sure it’s some good dick. And I know Tim got some good dick. You should see the things I’ve written about him in my journal.” She gave me this pitiful, deranged look that begged me to understand.
    “Fuck it!” I threw my hands in the air. “It’s your life. If you wanna make a fool outta yourself, then by all means, go right ahead. Just don’t come crying to me if he plays you.” I pulled my last cigarette out of the pack and lit it.
    “Look, don’t be coming down on me