The Marriage Contract (42 page)

              “We’re here!” Uncle Jeffrey managed to park the car in an extremely tight spot at the end of the lot.

              **

              The carnival was a festivity of lights, for the entrance was decorated in large, glittered lanterns at the top of the gate, reading, “Sandsville Carnival”. Grudgingly, I managed to slip my hand out of James’s iron grip, to which he frowned, looking annoyed. Sticking my tongue at him, I took Charlene’s hand instead- leading the way to the entrance.

              Crowds of souls rushed through the fair, giggling, laughing, and enjoying the cool spring breeze, as I traced my eyes over the area. Brightly colored stalls were lined along the corners of the carnival, with people sitting in the seats, playing the games, and some- winning the stuffed animal prizes. While we walked through the carnival, my black sandals clicking along the cold cement ground, I gazed at the small dragon rollercoaster about twenty feet ahead. Children screamed as the green coaster descended, before taking another timid leap around the corner. A miniature Ferris wheel rested beside the roller coaster- lovers sitting in one bench, smiling shyly at each other.

              I sighed. “I forgot how much I missed it here.”

              “This place is magical,” April whispered.

              For the following minutes, Aunt Lucy and Charlene escaped to the children’s section, while Uncle Jeffrey followed. The Grandparents went to meet up with their bingo buddies, while Aunt Molly went to speak with her Carnival Committee members.

              So, all that was left was—

              “Looks like it’s just you and me,” James whispered- his lips beside my ear.

              I almost leaned into him, but stopped when April’s hand tugged me away, thrusting me against her side.

              “Hello, I’m here too,” she said. “Now, what should we do first?—“

              “So the rumors are true. You really did get married.” The deep, cheerful voice perked my ears, my heart beginning to race, as I turned around, meeting his gaze.

              And there he was.

              My heart skipped a few multi beats, my palms suddenly beginning to sweat, as I wiped my hands against the side of my pale blue jeans.

              Eric Chapman stood before me, his once bright blond locks, colored a deep black, and slicked over his head. A “Peace for Earth” t-shirt pressed against his study chest, his once lanky body- now toned.

              Though I’d known him since my awkward high school days, I couldn’t help but feel an incredible sense of nostalgia over the guy I’d crushed on for four years.

              “Hi.” My voice escaped in a low whisper. “It’s been a while. You kind of just disappeared after graduation. How…um…how are you?”

              His dimpled grin caused another summersault in my stomach, as his gaze travelled from me, to April, and then finally, to James.

              “I’m doing alright,” Eric replied. “I joined the marines. I’m on vacation now, so I thought I’d visit home for a while. You know, I tried to reach you. I think I got to you a little too late, though—“

              “As if you had a chance,” James snapped. “Dude, you look like count Dracula’s illegitimate child.”

              I snapped my head towards James, staring curiously at him. My brows furrowed, as I took in his irritated stare. James stood to the side, standing a foot before me, as though shielding me from Eric. His gaze hardened at my old friend, who merely laughed at his insult, looking highly amused.

              I glared at James, annoyed by his childish behavior.

              “You’re being rude,” I said. “Eric, I’m sorry. My…husband here, is a little on the crazy side—“

              Eric pursed his lips, as though contemplating James’s ridiculous statement.

              “He’s right,” said Eric. “I may not have had a chance, but the future is unclear—“

              “The future isn’t unclear,” said April. “According to my horoscope, I’ll be more financially secure this month, and my love life will surely blossom!”

              James, Eric and I, turned to stare at April, who blinked slowly at us, then sneezed. Giving her a comforting nod, I focused my attention once more on Eric, who stood with his arms crossed over his broad chest.

              While I focused on how to change the topic to something normal, James’s hand wrapped over my waist- pulling me so close, I could hear the tumultuous beats of his heart. I gasped at the contact, trying to fidget away from him, but with a stiff smile on my face so that Eric won’t suspect anything weird was going on.

              “James…you’re embarrassing me,” I muttered. “You can let go—“

              “I don’t know what you two had going on back in the day,” said James, staring sternly at Eric. “But she’s married to me now. She’s mine. All mine. Now, before I lose my cool, I suggest you so kindly, piss off!”

              I pressed a hand over James’s, trying to slip his palm off my waist. But it was a futile attempt, for he pushed me closer against his flesh, while sending Eric an ice cold glare.

              Eric chuckled. “Man, relax. I was only teasing. Dory and I were just classmates. I just found her cute, that’s all.”

              I bit my lip, suppressing a girlish smile. He found me cute?

              All those feelings I’d had for him from freshman to senior year, returned with a splash, as butterflies travelled every inch of my body, making my giggle like a lunatic.

              James glared at me, his chocolate brown eyes- livid.

              “Oh, I remember you!” said April. “Dory told me about you. You’re that Eric Chopstick guy. Man, she had the hots for you for like four whole years, and you never once noticed? She even wrote “Mrs. Chapstick” all over her high school journal, like some love sick fourth grader—“

              “April!” I shouted. “That was a secret! Oh, no…please just erase all of that from your head—“

              Eric laughed. “Really? You wrote Mrs. Chapman over your notebook? Aw, Dory…I think I’m falling for you all over again—“

              “All over again?” I frowned. “Wait…so…you had feelings for me back then?—“

              “Alright, that’s enough!” James snapped. “We’re going somewhere else. You can take a hike lover boy. She’s Mrs. Bellevue now.”

              Before I could protest, James swung us around, his arm leaving my waist and gripping my hand. While I snapped at him to let me go, Eric’s voice chirped through the tense atmosphere, stopping us in place.

“For now,” said Eric. “She’s Mrs. Bellevue…for now.”

              Oh, no.

              I cringed, my eyes widening in horror, as James’s warm hand left mine. A few seconds of silence passed, and the only sounds I could hear was the slow pounding of my heart beat.

              James turned, and so did I, watching in dismay, as he walked slowly towards Eric. My former crush, stood tall, his olive hands clenched against his side- his dark eyes narrowed.

              April jogged towards me, linking her arm over my elbow, watching the scene with a kind of fascination held over his powder blue gaze.

              A part of me wanted to stop whatever was about to happen, but the logical part of my mind, told me that that was a bad idea. I mean, if I did say anything to either of them, it would be a big blow to their egos, resulting in an even bigger fight than the one they’re about to have right this moment.

              I pursed my lips, my throat suddenly feeling dry, as I stared at both men, who stood only inches from apart.

              “You going to hit me?” Eric asked, tilting his chin upwards. “Go on. Do it.”

              James smirked, running a hand through his thick brown tresses.

              “I’ve got nothing to prove to a loser who couldn’t do anything with his meaningless life,” said James. “You know what’s pissing me off? It’s not the fact that you’re hitting on my wife like some desperate low life. It’s because you spent four fucking years with the most amazing woman in the world, and you still failed to get her. I’m pissed that she gave a part of her heart to you at a very tender age, and you could have had her then and there, but you let her go. You didn’t hold on, and for that, you have no damn right to say ‘for now’. For you, the chance has come and gone. Honestly, I feel bad for you. If I was you, I’d hate myself for letting this angel go. I mean, look at her- she’s incredible. And lucky for me, she’s mine.”

              I couldn’t help it, I smiled.

              A part of my heart that once belonged to James, pieced together once more, as I took slow steps towards him, linking my arm over his elbow.

              Eric’s confident gaze faded, as he stared bitterly from James, to me. His eyes held a sad resonance, as I realized that James had rendered him speechless.

              “I’ll see you around, Eric,” I said. “Take care.”  

              Eric shot me a stiff smile, and without another word, walked past.

              “Did you hit your head on a rock in high school?” James asked. “That guy is a total tool.”

              I smiled. “Forget that. Did you…did you mean those things you said?”

              He turned his head towards me, before clearing his throat, suddenly looking nervous. His cheeks flushed scarlet, as he sent me a sheepish grin.

              “I did,” he replied.

              If only that moment lasted a while longer.

              When we turned, prepared to see the carnival attractions, a faint thump resounded against the ground.

              “Oh, your phone fell!” said April. “Wow, this brand is amazing. It didn’t even shatter like my old iPhone—“

              James whipped around, staring erratically at her. Stepping forward, he attempted to snatch the phone out of her hands, but failed. April eyed him curiously, before shaking her head, and taking a step back.

              “Relax,” she said. “I’m not going to eat it—“

              “Give that back!” he snapped. “Now!”

              “April, just give it back to him,” I said. “He’s freaking out—“

              BEEP!

              As the phone squeaked, James lunged towards April, his arms flailing towards the device. I watched in horror, as April gave him a blank stare, before pressing a button on the phone.

              Oh, no. He was prepared to tackle her to the ground for that stupid phone! What the hell was wrong with him?

              Ignoring my nerves, I rushed towards April, grabbing the phone from her hands and pushing her gently to the side. I cringed, as James fell to the ground, his palms gripped over the patchy cement floor.

              “Turn that off!” he snapped. “Press the damn off button!—“

              But it was too late. A faintly familiar voice streamed through the phone speaker, uttering words that couldn’t possibly be true. I stared at James, who rose to his feet, running both hands over his face, as though feeling hopeless.

              “Alright, listen up Bellevue, I need my money,” the voice snapped. “This is Rosanna, remember? Geez, I skipped class to do that whole affair act for you, and this is how you repay me? I need the full 1500 bucks you promised. It’s kind of an emergency, alright? Anyways, I expect the money transferred to my account by tomorrow. I’m adding interest if you’re late by even an hour. Bye.”

              No. No, this wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be happening.

              My hands shook, as I gripped the phone in both hands- my eyes glazed. The voicemail rang in my head over and over again, so much so, that my ears began to ring with the words, “This is Rosanna”.

              Every bone inside my body, ached, as I walked past April and James, heading towards anywhere but there.

              So, it was all a game to him after all. I’m such an idiot! Here I was, feeling like he’d returned to me- a changed man. But I was a fool for thinking he could ever be anything but cruel.

              My mind was in a haze, as the tears continued to leak down my soaked eyes. James stood before me, his expression- like that of a beggar, pleading for a final piece of bread. His eyes, in the dim light of the moon, were earnest, as he rushed towards me, looking terribly apologetic.

              But that too, was a lie. Everything about him was one big lie, and I was the idiot for falling for all of it.

              “Dory,” he began. “Please, just hear me out—“

              “Stay the fuck away from me,” I hissed. “Just stay the hell away you lying bastard!”

              April stood silent, pressing a hand over James’s shoulder, giving him an almost sympathetic look. I turned towards her, my face blotchy from the streaming tears, watching as she stared blankly at me.

              My mind raced, calculating her rigid body language, before coming to a conclusion. Betrayal seeped through my chest, as another tear escaped my lids- my mouth hanging open from shock.