“When are you going to be home today?” she asked, bringing me out of my dream down memory lane, bring me to the present.

“I am having drinks with friends,” I answered.

“You are not home anymore, you always come home late,” she said hugging me.

“I promise I will be home early,” I kissed her lips and left. I was not going to mess up, not after the girl left me and I had to get her back.

I went to the bar where we ordered burgers and Castle Lites. We watched the match screaming, and happiness was flying every way. I liked football a lot; it made my adrenaline rush in my blood stream. I got drunk and forgot I had promised Lucy that I will be home early. We kept drinking until we couldn’t go home. We slept at the bar couches.

“Wake up, this is not your beds,” The barman poured cold water on us.

It was not only Gay and I, there were six other guys on the floor. I grabbed Gary, we wiped water on our faces and walked home. We didn’t talk. I looked at the time and it was 3 a.m. I found the house dark. I went straight to the bedroom. I am not sure if I closed and locked the front door. Lucy was sleeping, holding a pillow. I jumped in and held her. She pushed my hands away.

“What now?” I asked loudly.

“You smell of beer. I want to sleep,” she said furiously.

I held her again and this time she pushed my hands again. I didn’t want to fight so I let her sleep.

I woke up at 10 a.m. and went to bath. I noticed that I was alone, there was quietness in the house. I called her name and saw that she was gone. I walked back into the bedroom and found a note on the other side of the pillow.

Romeo, I can’t do this anymore. I love you. This has gone too far but I can’t anymore.
Lucy.

She has left me, again! I sat on the bed, frustrated, thinking, why she always left, and why she couldn’t understand that I was a man.

After work I picked up Lucy and got into a taxi back home. I wanted to treat her like a queen. We arrived home after ten minutes and she went straight to the kitchen.

“I will cook today,” I said pushing her away.

“You, cooking?” she chuckled.

“Yes, I want to treat you like a queen today.”

“I just want water,” she said.

I took water from the fridge and gave her. She walked into the bedroom. I took out lamb ribs and placed them in a bowl with water. I had to defrost them. I went straight to shower. I always took a bath after the day; sweat and dirt must be removed from my body. I wore my tracksuit and Lucy sat reading a book. I went back to the kitchen.

My cooking took an hour. I had made rice, lamb rib curry and ice cream for dessert.

“Wow, you can cook,” she said.

She wore a gown as if it was cold. As a gentleman I pulled the chair for her to sit.

“Thanks baby,” she said smiling.

I sat down. We ate quietly. The food was delicious. My mother taught me how to cook. She taught me how to take care of myself and not to starve. I remembered my parents’ fights. They made up quickly the next morning.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“Just thinking.” I answered. Remembering my parents brought me joy. It made me miss them a lot.

“Care to share?” she asked.

She stood with the plates and put them in the sink.

“It’s about my parents,” I spoke calmly.

I told Lucy how they fought at night and how they would smooth things the next day. She kept staring, enjoying every detail.

“I love you Lucy, my love,” I spoke happily.

We embraced one another. After washing the dishes we went to sleep. Lucy wouldn’t just sleep, she read first. She liked romantic novels. I fell into a deep sleep while she read alone.
My phone beeped at midnight and I woke up. It was Gary. Lucy slept peacefully.

“Bra?” I spoke.

“I need help,” he answered.

“Memory’s home flooded. Can she come stay over there,” he continued.

“You could have given me notice,” I said.

“She can’t sleep at my place, you know my mom,” he persuaded.

“Oh, she will sleep in the other bedroom. Where are you?” I asked.

“By your gate,” he answered.

Lucy was sleeping, no need to wake her. I went outside to find Gary with his woman and bags.

“You are a life saver,” he said hitting my shoulder.

“Don’t make noise,” I whispered.

Gary told me he was sleep over. He slept in the same room with Memory.

“You said only Memo will sleep here, go home,” I said annoyed.

“She is my woman! Dude,” he answered.

I locked the door. Lucy was awake, coming from the bathroom.

“Who is that?” she asked.

“It’s Gary and Memo,” I answered.

“What are they doing here in the middle of the night?” She asked.

“We will talk tomorrow. I want to sleep,” I said softly.

I went inside the blanket and slept. Lucy looked at me then sighed. She was quiet.

***

Tell us what you think: Do you think it’s fair that Romeo didn’t tell Lucy what happened?