Mercy's Debt

SIXTEEN



Liz, thanks to the triple shot latte Robert had given her, fought against an overwhelming urge to pee. She jittered in her seat, crossing and uncrossing her legs uncomfortably. She felt for the man, she really did, but if he didn’t stop talking soon, her teeth were going to start floating.

They’d been chatting nonstop for the past hour. He’d have to give his voice a break soon, right?

“So, you see, Elizabeth, I did not want to make her feel crowded,” he prattled on. “I only offered to pay off her student loan because I have plenty of money to spare. I was in no way implying that I wished to buy her off-”

“Uh, Robert?” Liz butted in swiftly. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but could I possibly use your restroom?”

“Oh! Of course. I am terribly sorry. I sometimes tend to forget what it is like to have humans- uh, females- in my home.”

Liz looked at him strangely. “Yah, I guess we ladies do tend to use the restroom more than the boys.”

“I imagine,” he said glibly. “The restroom is down the hall. The door is just on the right.”

“Thanks. I’ll be right back.”

Liz laughed under her breath as she headed to the bathroom. Sure, the guy was odd, but he was also absolutely head-over-heels in love with Mercy. His adoration for her dripped from every word he spoke on her behalf.

Mercy was a lucky girl to have found a man like Robert.

Actually, when she thought about it, Mercy was just like Robert- minus the great wealth, obviously. They were so very different, but also very much the same. They were smart, thoughtful, and beautiful; a perfect match, like salt and pepper.

Liz found the bathroom. She emptied her bladder, feeling such relief that her eyes rolled back into her head. This is why she never drank coffee- it just went straight through her.

She removed her ring and set in the soap dish, lathering her hands under the tap distractedly. It was strange that David had not yet called her, but she never knew what to expect when he had nights out with the boys. They were probably halfway to Vegas by now, sharing a bottle of cheap vodka from a paper bag.

But then the phone in her pocket vibrated to life.

She quickly dried her hands and answered the phone. “David,” she scolded, “I was wondering where you’ve-”

“Liz, thaaaaaank God,” he slurred. “I misssss you, baby.”

He was drunk.

“David!” Liz chided. “How much have you had to drink?”

“Jus’ a couple,” he slurred.

“Yah,” she snorted. “A couple of six-packs.”

“Lissssen. I need my house key. I’ve locked myself right out of the house! Can you beeeelieve it?” he laughed hysterically.

Liz rolled her eyes, but she wasn’t really mad. At least he’d made it home okay. But he better not have driven home in his condition.

“Da-vid,” she uttered in two syllables.

“Yes, baby? I loooove you, my angel.”

“Oh, God,” she sighed. She checked the time on her phone. It was just past midnight. “Okay, I’ll bring you your key, but I’m not at home right now. I’ll have to swing by the apartment first to pick up my car and grab your key. I probably won’t be there for about an hour.”

“M’kay.”

“Alright, I’ll see you soon.”

Shaking her head, Liz hung up her phone; guess the conversation with Robert was going to have to be cut short.