Free Suite 269 by Christine Zolendz Page B

just take a few days and rethink this," she said hesitantly.
    "Cancel it," I said, gritting my teeth.
    "Hun, you are going to pay for all of it, whether you cancel or not. It's too late for refunds. You should just go through with the wedding and fix your problems after it," she huffed. "I just spoke on the phone with your mother-in-law this morning and there were no problems then, dear."
    "Then she could marry her cheating bastard of a son," I yelled into the phone.
    "Okay. Let's not do anything rash. Take a few days and think this through. You're talking about thousands of dollars."
    I hung up on her. I understood completely. I was going to lose a lot of money because of his mistake .
    With eyes out of focus from crying, I sat curled into a ball on my couch. I rubbed at my vision, trying to remember anything from the relationship worth holding on to. Nothing came to mind. My eyes roamed the apartment and I smiled to myself. No, nothing came to mind. Sophia could have him.
    My phone chirped. I hoped it wasn't Kevin or anyone from my family who would try to persuade me to change my mind, because I had a lot to get done in very little time. I looked down at my phone.
    How did James get my number?

    My next phone conversation was to my building's superintendent. Within an hour, my locks were changed and a sign was hung on my door. And no more tears would be shed for Trager the Mailroom Guy—ever again.
    I stood in front of the note on the door, smiling and feeling a bit better. I knew I made the right choice.
    To my EX-fiancé, Kevin Trager,
    Since you still thought our relationship was a game, let's play the last one together... A treasure hunt—romantic, right? Remember, that's how you asked me to marry you? Here's the game: I packed up all your belongings from MY apartment and now you have to find where all your crappy stuff is...Here are the clues! Have fun.
    Clue 1: All your clothes are where you first told me you loved me.
    Clue 2: All your personal papers and important files are where we first met.
    Clue 3: All your pictures and stupid things you left around my house are where we had our first kiss.
    Clue 4: Your laptop with everything on it, like naked pictures of you and Sophia, are at the house of the person who gave birth to you. She enjoyed the slide show as much as I did. I believe she understands my side of things a little more now.
    What do you win for playing this game? All your stuff (I'm not sorry about your clothes—I had a little accident with scissors). And your freedom. Because I will never be okay with marrying someone who lies and cheats. I wanted a marriage, not a wedding, and you couldn't give me the marriage I deserved.
    I hope you have a nice life.
    It's just going to have to be without me.
    Because I deserve better than this.
----
    W ednesday .
    I called into work sick. Ben and Jerry kept me company.
    Thursday.
    I still couldn't make it to work. There was an important John Hughes marathon on the television. Ben and Jerry left. Johnny Walker and Jack Daniels spent the night. I think Mandy came over too.
    Friday.
    Rain. I think.
    My mother visited with a list of dating websites and chicken soup. She said it's good for the soul. But so was Jack Daniels. I introduced them. We ended up burning all of Kevin's pictures I had left in a pot on the stove. My curtains went up in flames and a fire extinguisher had to be used. That white foam was a pain in the ass to clean up.
    Saturday and Sunday? Unmemorable—mostly because I truly have no recollection of either of those days.
    Monday morning was work.
    I sat at my desk—right hand clenched around a huge Caramel Frappuccino, second one of the day, and left hand rummaging through an enormous box of Godiva chocolate some anonymous person left on my desk. It was most likely Kevin. I didn't really care, you know, free chocolate and all.
    I was so enrapt in my research (and sugary goodies) I barely heard the voices as they entered the office. I glanced up and