The others
“how many others?” Marvin stood quietly, the whole room staring at him as he spoke, “how many others?” His voice rose to a shout as he stalked up to Whizzer, his glass full of vodka.
“enough for me to get off.” Whizzer replied, taking a swig from the glass. Around him the world was beginning to sway, and he couldn’t control the words that came out of his mouth. “fuck off Marvin, you aren’t the ‘perfect picture’ your ex-wife is sitting over there after you cheated.”
“that was different, I was in a loveless marriage- “
“-well this sure ain’t love full!” Whizzer interrupted, pushing Marvin back with a single finger, “I’ve had it with you pretending to be the all-powerful, the all mighty, the perfect man. I’ve had it with your games- “
“-My games? As soon as I talk to another man, your tongue is already down someone else’s throat!”
Whizzer scoffed, turning to face the room, “you hear that. He thinks he own me.” His words were beginning to slur and quickly he lit up another cigarette.
“I do own you.”
Whizzer stood square, “no one owns me. I will happily fuck as many men as I want, I never promised myself to you, and I never will.”
“whizzer, let me get you somethin’ doll.” Trina said as she stood up off of the fire escape like stairs, running to the kitchen to fetch some water.
“no. I belong to no one. I’ve needed to say this for so god damn long.” He approached Marvin, taking a long draw from the cigarette that would almost constantly live between his fingers. “I hate always being the home wrecking whore, or the bad guy. People look at me like I choose to be like this. I didn’t choose.”
“but you sure could restrain yourself if you tried.”
“You’re the bad guy, not me! You make it out as though you come home to find me in bed with another man each night, I don’t tell you about them unless you ask. They’re pure simple sex, like you should have been.” He began to back Marvin into the corner, “but you manipulated me, and you lied and now- and now I love you and I can’t do anything about it.”
Whizzer stopped, inches away from Marvin’s face as he exhaled, a burst of smoke threatening Marvin’s face. “you love me?” He was quiet now, thoughtful.
“I love you.” The tears were beginning to well up in his eyes as he tried to force them back down. “but I don’t want to.”
“I love you too.” Marvin exhaled in relief, “I’ll try and be better for you.”
Whizzer nodded, smiling as much as he could while holding in his sobs, “me too.”