Carrie and Keith 11

"Oh, all right" she closed her eyes and cleared her throat. "I was engaged to a guy named Rick. We didn't have the best relationship. We fought all the time and he... he hit me a few times." Keith felt his ire rise immediately. "But, I really loved him and I thought that eventually we would settle down, work everything out and live happily ever after.

"One night, we got in another argument. It was just like all of our other fights, so I can't even remember what it was about. Anyway, he... knocked me down and stormed out. I guess after that he went to a bar and got drunk because on the way home he got into a one-vehicle accident and was killed."

Carrie raised her soda can to her lips with a shaking hand. She took a sip and opened her eyes, but did not look at Keith. "I feel like it was my fault. If I would have backed down just once, he might still be alive." She kept her eyes on her soda can. "After therapy and help from Kim, I finally reconciled his death in my mind. But I still have this guilt thing going." She waved her hand around as if to explain her roiling emotions. She took another swallow of her soda and a deep breath. She turned to look at Keith. Here it comes, he thought.

"Your turn," she said.

Keith looked away. "My turn for what?"

Carrie sighed. "Come on. I spilled my guts. Now I want to hear about your wife."

Keith turned to look at her. He searched her face for a reason why he shouldn't tell her, but he couldn't find one. All that was there was softness, comfort, and compassion. If anyone might understand, she might. He rubbed his eyes and leaned forward so his elbows rested on his knees. He felt Carrie's hand on his shoulder.

"OK," he said. "Vickie and I were married for a year and a half. We were out riding on my motorcycle when a truck pulled out in front of us. I tried to avoid it, but we hit it anyway. Vickie was thrown off the back of the bike and was killed as soon as she hit the street. The bike somehow landed on it's side with my leg under it. I lost some toes and have nerve damage in my lower leg and I have to wear a brace to walk. I figure it's my punishment for letting her die." Keith leaned back on the couch and looked up at the ceiling. He was surprised that his voice hadn't cracked. He took a slow, deep breath. Carrie slid her arm though his and laid her head on his shoulder.

For a long time, they sat together in silence. Then, a knock came at the door shortly followed by the sound of someone coming in. Carrie quickly put a foot of space between them.

"Keith!" called a booming voice. Keith groaned.

"Living room!" Keith snapped.

"In a good mood as... Hey!" Joey stopped and smiled. "Who's this?" he asked as he seated himself next to Carrie. "I'm Joey Ruffalo," he said offering his hand.

Carrie took it and smiled. "Carrie O'Hearn." Keith felt the temperature of his blood rise angrily to boiling.

"Very pleased to meet you, Carrie." Joey purred.

Carrie nodded and smiled. She turned back to Keith.

"I need to go. Do you want me to help you straighten up?" He shook his head.

"Leaving so soon, sweetheart?" Joey asked. Keith felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise up.

"I need to be at work at 6:30 tomorrow." she said as she stood up.

"Where do you work that you start so early? " Joey asked, all pity and concern.

"I'm a massage therapist. I have a client at 7:00. She said over her shoulder. She turned to look at Keith. "Thank you for everything." she said with a shy smile. "Good Night," she said to both of them and she left.

"Where did you find that little dish?" Joey asked.

Keith turned and looked at Joey. He wished he could shoot laser rays from his eyes and fry Joey where he sat.

"Damn, brother! Don't get all pissed off. I was only complimenting your good taste." Joey's smile was insincere at best.

"So help me god, Ruffalo, I will rip your lungs out if I ever find you playing with her. Got it?"

"You'd have to catch me first. And we both know that's not going to happen."

Keith gritted his teeth. "You'll have to sleep sometime. Is there a reason why you're here?"

"Yeah, actually, I left my work ID here last time we practiced." Joey stood up and headed for the basement.

Moments later, Joey called from the front door, "I found it. Don't worry, I'll show myself out."
Keith wanted to wring the mocking tone right out of Joey's throat.

He leaned his head back on the sofa. Despite the deep breaths he took, he couldn't get Carrie's scent out of his nose. He thought about what might have happened if Joey hadn't shown up.