Chapter 3

I walked into the restroom and lifted my head to the mirror.

Somewhere along the way, tears had covered my whole face.

Every vow he'd once made came echoing back, and then broke apart, one line at a time.

I drew a deep breath, splashed water on my face, and headed for the restaurant's exit.

Halfway there, I heard my name drift out of the private room next door.

My steps stopped, and without thinking I edged closer.

The door hadn't been shut all the way.

Through the gap, I saw Lowell talking with a man.

The man looked like a childhood friend of Lowell's, though I didn't know his name.

The man was saying,

"Janice just walked out without a word."

Lowell swirled the glass in his hand.

"Yeah. I know."

"You're a real animal, kissing another woman right in front of your girlfriend."

Lowell gave a small laugh.

"What's there to be afraid of? We've been together this many years. She can't leave me anymore."

"Besides, she's short an arm."

The man threw a laughing punch at Lowell's chest.

"You've still got it. Coming up with a move like this to reel a girl in."

I edged one step closer.

What move?

Lowell set his glass down, his eyes half amused.

"There was no other way. This little one's too old-fashioned. Not like the last few. She wouldn't let me touch her unless I married her."

"So I could only string Janice along."

The last few.

So it had already happened more than once.

My hand clenched.

Lowell went on.

"And I swear, this is the last one. Once I'm done playing with her, I'll marry Janice."

The man rolled his eyes.

"You said that last time too. Who's supposed to believe it?"

Lowell sighed, and something almost sincere came into his voice.

"I've had my fun all these years. Janice has given up so much for me. I can't be a complete piece of garbage."

The man said,

"At least you know that much. She lost that hand saving you."

Lowell was quiet for a moment, then spoke, his voice dropping lower.

"That's exactly why I keep running around. You don't get it. Every time I look at those hands of hers, it turns my stomach a little."

"Especially on rainy days, when the stump of her cut-off arm still twitches, like a lump of..."

A sharp woman's voice cut into the conversation.

"Miss Fox, what are you doing here?"