Reprisal Read Free

shuts down her computer and grabs her bag, following me out the door.
    Since this is New York City, we walk. EVERYWHERE. It’s the best way to get around, unless you are going far and then you grab a cab. As we make our way through the bar, we locate an empty table in the back and are immediately greeted by a waitress. “What can I get you ladies?”
    I order a glass of moscato and Les orders a beer. “Beer?” I ask her, surprised.
    “Yeah, it’s Friday and the game is on.” She says as she motions her head towards the big screen TV hanging on the wall. “Beer and baseball. Nothing like it.” She waggles her eyebrows as the waitress brings our drinks. At the same time, the Yankee’s pitcher throws out a Met’s player on first. “Nice, love these Subway Series’. Yankees and Mets in the same bar. Keep your eyes open, cause we may get to see a fight tonight.” Les says as she lifts the bottle to her full lips.
    “So, what’s up with you and Joe?” I ask her. Joe is her long-time boyfriend, but they never talk about getting married. “Ummm, He’s.....Joe.” She responds nonchalantly and tips her beer back again.
    “No ring yet?”
    “Nope.”
    “You think he’ll ever propose?
    “Nope. Don’t want him to either.”
    “Why not? You guys have been together since college. What’s going on?”
    “He’s fucking around.” She answers without emotion.
    “What? How do you know?” I ask her, totally blown away that Joe would cheat on Les. And amazed at how Les doesn’t seem to care.
    “Found her panties in the sofa last week.”
    “You found her panties? Are you sure they aren’t yours?” I ask.
    “Nope, I wear a small. These were a medium....and a thong. You know me, no butt floss. I’d spend more time tugging those bastards out of the crack of my ass than anything else.”
    “And you’re.....okay with this?”
    She shrugs her shoulders and set her beer down. “Things haven’t been right for some time, I think. I’m just waiting on the right moment to kick him out. The lease on our sublet is up at the end of the month. I’ve already talked to the owner and his name will be removed from the lease and I’ll kick him out.”
    “Geez, I’m sorry Les. How long have you known?”
    “Well, I was suspicious for about three weeks when he kept coming home late reeking of cheap perfume. I pretended not to notice, but after about the third time I knew. He hasn’t touched me in over a month and has started sleeping in the guest room, saying he can’t sleep and he doesn’t want to wake me. I called bullshit....inside. I figured I’d let him tie his own rope and once he has it nicely slipped around his neck, I’ll yank it tighter. He won’t know what hit him.”
    Her evil laugh barrelling out of her throat.
    “Well, go od luck. I hope I don’t run into him on the street or he may never be able to have children.” I tell her as I nudge her shin with my foot. “I’ll kick him so hard in the balls, he won’t be able to walk for a week.” I laugh.
    “No doubt, Syd. No doubt. If I were him, I wouldn’t want to meet you in a dark alley.” She chuckles as she raises her hand, motioning for the waitress. We order another round and continue our chat, having a good time.
    The crowd is getting rambunctious and as loud as the game when it hits the end of the ninth inning.
    Yanks are up five to four and the Mets fans are not happy. It seems they’re chanting at each other and when I see a bottle fly through the bar, I know the hockey game is about to break out.
    Les and I sit and watch the battle unfold before us. Shouting, screaming and some cuss words I’ve never heard before fill the room. You can no longer hear the game over the shouting. One guy is the instigator, apparently a Mets fan and he tells the Yankee fan to suck his.......CRASH!
    “Oh shit, I think it’s time to dip, Les.” I say as I stand and grab my bag, throwing the long strap over my shoulder. Mets fan has turned a table full