Short Story: Jealousy

**NOTE: THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION**

JEALOUSY
by Gary Anderson

As I sit on the bed, my back to the headboard I stare at her as she sits on the edge of the bed, sliding her jeans over her legs. She stands up, fastening them and turns around to get her shirt. She notices me staring at her, and smiles.

"It's okay, baby. I'll be back later tonight. It's a good chance for me to earn some more money. We do need the money, right?" she asks.

I can't tear my eyes away from her as she slips her shirt over her head, and pulls it down, covering her naked breasts. I can't stop staring at her, almost in fear of her disappearing, like a leprechaun if I take my eyes off of her.

She moves across the room, and picks up a brush from the dresser, and begins to comb her hair.

She turns to me as she does this.

"Please don't get like this." she said, frustration setting into her voice. 'You promised you wouldn't be like this. It was sort of a prerequisite to our being together."

"I know," I said. "I know what I told you."

"Then, live up to your words."

She stared at my briefly, before turning back to go to he mirror, checking her makeup.

"I can't help it. I love you."

She whirls around, and points at me. "Don't you do that. Don't you dare do that to me."

"I am sorry."

"No you're not." she said, throwing the brush at me.

I move my head to the left, avoiding being hit. She grabs her carry bag, slinging it over her shoulder. She walks toward the door.

"If you were sorry, you wouldn't have said it. You obviously don't love me, because if you did, you'd never had said it."

"You hate me." I said, simply.

She pauses at the door. "Right now that wouldn't be that far off of the truth. We'll talk about it later."

She opens the door, and walks out of the room, shutting it behind her.

I sighed and forced myself to get out of bed. I didn't even worry about getting dressed. Who would see me, in all my naked glory, anyway?

On the dresser, sat the answering machine, with a flashing "1". The message that had interrupted our lovemaking and had started this argument. Or at least, allowed it to continue.

I pressed the PLAY button, out of some masochistic urge.

There was a beep, then a voice came on.

"Hey, Jenni. We need you down at the club. A couple of the girls called off tonight. Sick or something. We need you. Extra money, you know you need it. See you later, babe."

I leaned against the dresser, closing my eyes, trying to figure out why I was so mad. I suddenly, grabbed the answering machine, and ripped it out of the wall, and threw it into the bathroom.

Jealousy was always one of my bigger faults.