“Do whatever you want,” I said, but what I meant was I want you to stay.
It was two PM on one of those days that is going so good you know something really bad is gonna happen to make up for it. We had been dating for eight months, living together for three. She was bitching at me and I wasn't saying anything. My daddy always talked too much and it got him in trouble. I learned from his mistakes and I kept quiet.
“You're always out late, too late for a man not causing trouble.”
I say nothing.
“Where were you last night?!”
“Just around,” I said, and what I meant was shopping for her birthday present.
“Just around with who? Who is she?”
“There's nobody, Jean” and what I meant was I saw no woman but her.
“Like hell there isn't. You're out late almost every night. You don't smell like booze so you're not drinking. I ain't stupid. What else could you be doing?”
Working extra hours, saving up for a diamond ring. But I said nothing.
“You got nothing to say for yourself Riley?” she asked me.
“Nope.” I said, but what I meant was I love you.
“Do you care about me at all?”
I said nothing.
“I'm leaving you.”
“Do whatever you want,” I said, but what I meant was I want you to stay.
“You don't care. You never cared.”
She kicked a table behind me. I heard something shatter.
Neither of us said anything. She shut the door on her way out.
“Shit, it's already 2:20. Time for work,” I said, but what I meant was how can I keep going?
