Part 35 (2/2)
”It's true,” she said quietly. ”I'm sorry-I didn't mean to tell you like that. I just...I couldn't keep it inside anymore.”
Donald frowned and a furrow appeared between his bushy eyebrows-Maggie knew that meant he was thinking deeply.
”So you had coitus with another man,” he said at last, slowly. ”Was it purely biological or were your emotions involved?”
Maggie knew she couldn't lie anymore.
”My feelings were involved, I'm afraid,” she said. ”Very involved. I'm...I'm so sorry, Donald.”
”No, no-let's consider this.” He frowned again. ”I suppose since you've been unfaithful to me, this should be the end of our relations.h.i.+p.”
Maggie gulped down a little sob. ”I...I suppose so,” she whispered.
”Well, then...” Donald took a deep breath, his skinny chest expanding, and then let it out slowly. ”Well, then,” he said again. ”At the risk of sounding unkind I must say... what a relief.”
”A what?” Maggie looked at him disbelievingly. ”What did you say?”
”I said it's a relief.” Donald frowned. ”Look, Margaret, I haven't wanted to say this but this past week as we have been thrown into closer proximity than ever before, it occurred to me that you really...”
”Really what?” Maggie demanded.
”Oh, what's the colloquialism? Ah, yes-you really get on my nerves.”
”What?” Maggie stared at him, unable to believe what she was hearing. ”I get on your nerves?”
”Unfortunately, yes,” Donald said calmly. ”Ever since you came back from your trip through s.p.a.ce, you've been distracted and moody-not your usual self at all. Worse, you're simply unable to conform to our usual protocol-you interrupt my entire routine.”
”Oh my G.o.d...” Maggie ran a hand through her hair. ”Did it ever occur to you that I've been distracted and moody because of what I've been through? I was sold as a slave, Donald! Captured and implanted with an alien device and sold to the highest f.u.c.king bidder! I think I have a right to be a little 'distracted and moody!' Don't you?”
Donald frowned disapprovingly. ”I really don't care for either your tone or your language, Margaret. You never used to swear.”
”I never used to be a s.e.x slave either, Donald. I've changed.”
”Yes, I noticed that. Unfortunately not for the better.”
”No, because I'm miserable now!” Maggie exploded. ”Here I've been waiting on you hand and foot, feeling so guilty for what I did but you're more upset that I de-alphabetized your creamed corn than the fact that I slept with another man! Who, I might add, was amazing.”
Donald frowned. ”You know s.e.xual intercourse has never been my priority, Margaret, so if you're trying to injure my feelings by comparing me to some alpha-male Neanderthal-”
”Kor wasn't just some Neanderthal!” Maggie clenched her hands into fists. ”He was warm and funny and kind and protective and absolutely incredible in bed. He was everything you're not.”
Donald shrugged his boney shoulders.
”Well, Margaret, if you expect me to change to conform to your new ideals, I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed. If, on the other hand, you wish to make an effort to return to normal yourself, I may consider taking you back as a romantic partner.”
”Oh, you'll consider taking me back? How big of you.” Maggie began to pace. ”No, Donald, I'm afraid I can't go back to the way I was before. And you know what? I don't want to.”
”Well, then,” he said calmly, ”I suppose we should say goodbye and end the relations.h.i.+p.”
He was so cool and collected about it, Maggie felt sick. Had their relations.h.i.+p really meant so little to him? All the time she'd spent agonizing about cheating on him, all the guilt she'd felt when she could have been enjoying Kor's warm, gentle touch to the fullest-was it all wasted? Looking at Donald's calm expression, she supposed so.
”So this is it,” she said dully. ”The end. After five years we're just going to go our separate ways.”
”Amicably, I hope,” Donald said seriously. ”I hope this won't taint our professional relations.h.i.+p. You know I'm going to be doing some research myself aboard the Kindred Mother s.h.i.+p, don't you? If I see you there, I don't want to cause a scene.”
”You mean you don't want me to cause a scene,” Maggie said. ”Don't worry, I won't.” She ran a hand through her hair again. ”I guess I'll go.”
She began to gather her things which basically consisted of getting her purse and one overnight bag where she had to keep everything because Donald didn't want her personal possessions cluttering his s.p.a.ce.
”Don't forget your toothbrush,” he said helpfully. ”I hope you didn't place it in close proximity to mine. You know how I feel about germs.”
”Yes, Donald. I know.” Maggie went in the bathroom and grabbed the offending brush, somehow resisting the urge to drop Donald's tooth brush in the toilet as she did so. She did rearrange the shampoo and conditioner bottles, though, which she knew he would hate. They were too high up for him to reach in his current condition. It was a small act but it made her feel marginally better.
She came out of the bathroom and walked toward the bedroom door.
”Wait,” Donald said frowning as she put her hand on the k.n.o.b. ”One more thing occurs to me.”
”What?” Maggie turned back briefly. ”If you're worried about someone helping you until you're fully recovered, call a home health nurse. I didn't get two Ph.Ds to empty your d.a.m.n bedpan.”
”I was thinking nothing of the sort. Actually, I have the name of a reputable home health company already-the hospital sent it home with me.”
”Well then?” Maggie looked at him expectantly. ”Hurry up, Donald. This may not bother you but it isn't every day I end a five year relations.h.i.+p and I'm just a little bit upset. What is it?”
”About that,” he said. ”As our relations.h.i.+p is ending, it occurs to me that you should give back the engagement ring I purchased for you. It represented a sizable investment on my part and since said investment-i.e. our relations.h.i.+p-did not come to fruition, I would like to recoup my losses as much as possible.”
Maggie looked down at the tiny diamond chip winking on her finger. She had kept it on through everything-her adventures at the spa, capture, implantation, slavery, her time with Kor-and the entire time it had been a symbol of her guilt. A weight tied to her, reminding her of how she was breaking her promise. A promise she had thought was sacred. But now she wondered.
”What did it really mean?” she asked softly. ”What was it really worth?”
”Actually, I think I can get enough for it to purchase a new laptop,” Donald said seriously. ”Not a top of the line model but something serviceable I can take to conferences so I don't have to worry about my current one being lost or damaged.”
Maggie choked back a sob. ”So that's my price-my worth to you,” she whispered. ”The cost of a not-very-good backup laptop. That's it.”
Donald frowned. ”Really, Margaret, I don't think one can equate one's personal worth with that of a computer.”
”Oh, I think you just did.” Maggie pulled off the ring and threw it at him. It bounced off his narrow chest and fell behind the bed where he would have a h.e.l.l of a time reaching it.
”Margaret!” he protested. ”Was it really necessary to-”
”Goodbye Donald. Good luck with your new laptop-I'm sure it will bring you a lot more happiness than I ever did,” Maggie said.
She slammed the door and left, not looking back.
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