Free Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

conversation with an accusation. “Do you want to explain why Dave saw my fiancée sucking face with a homeless man today?”
    “No, I don’t. I want to go inside and go to bed, if I’m being honest.”
    “Oh, now you’re being honest. Where’s your ring, Livia?” Chris stepped closer, trapping her against the car with his arms.
    “Hey, Chris, you can back up off my sister right about now.”
    Kyle had come silently from the front porch to stand behind him. Her soft voice had barbed wire wrapped around it.
    Chris dropped one arm to placate Kyle. She stepped into Livia’s line of sight and bit her lip in concern.
    “Did you know your sister’s screwing a homeless man?” Chris taunted. “A freaking crazy-ass bastard? She has the nerve to do it in plain sight of my friend, who I’d just told my great news.” Chris’s eyes bore into Livia as he spoke to Kyle.
    Livia felt her nerves fray at the insults. Chris wasn’t wrong for being mad. She hadn’t told him they’d broken up, but she’d certainly moved forward as if she had. Livia rubbed her temples in an effort to make thinking easier.
    “Chris, we’re over. I don’t want to even date you anymore, never mind marry you. I’d give your crappy-ass ring back, but I threw it in the Hudson when I realized the underwear I’m wearing is worth more than it was.” Livia stared blankly at his familiar face.
    “That’s it?” Chris tossed his hands in the air.
    Kyle took a step closer and stood shoulder to shoulder with Livia. It was comforting.
    “Nope. Dave’s right. I kissed another man. And he kissed the hell out of me. I think I’m still aroused from the whole incident.” Livia watched rage crawl up Chris’s arms and tense his face.
    He looked at Kyle. “Can you believe this shit?”
    Kyle smiled. “Yes. I so can believe it. You’ve never deserved her.” Kyle put her tall dancer’s body between Livia and Chris. “And you’re going to leave right now, or I’ll wake up my dad.”
    Chris inflated himself like a balloon. “You do that, Kyle. I’d love to see his reaction to Livia’s homeless boyfriend.” Chris turned his rage back on Livia. “Did you sell the ring to buy him a new cardboard box to live in?”
    At that, Kyle put her hand in the middle of Chris’s chest. “You’re done here. Leave.”
    Livia stood quietly, waiting for righteous indignation to find her and spur a clever retort. Instead she closed her eyes and pictured Blake as he stood in the sun, waiting for judgment. Have I ruined him? Why did he leave me alone?
    She opened her eyes as Chris walked away with elaborate pointing. Livia knew she should pay attention to his threats. Should she try to comfort him? This news had been a shock. Kyle was like a guard dog, jumping in her anger as he spoke.
    “Whore!” The faded insult hit Livia’s ears just as her father slapped on the porch light and walked toward the ruckus, clicking his shotgun into position with one hand. The neighbors’ porch lights twinkled on like fireflies.
    Livia shook herself out of her numbness. “Kyle, go in the house before you hurt him. Chris, quit acting like a Neanderthal and go home. We’ll talk about this later. Dad, please disengage the shotgun.”
    The tone of her voice touched something in each person. Chris climbed into his truck, mumbling under his breath, and John broke the smooth, straight line of his weapon with one practiced motion. Only Kyle refused to move, still using her body as a barrier between Chris and Livia. But she did stop launching insults about his penis. Chris tore out of the driveway, tires squealing.
    Livia slammed her car door shut. “I owe you an explanation, but for now let’s leave it at this: Chris and I broke up.”
    Livia turned, passed her family, and went up to the shower. She turned the water handle to red hot as she undressed. The showerhead had one wild stream that created a gentle spray apart from the regular flow of water. Livia reached up and twirled her