Chapter 36: Comrades, Part 5

James

Michael strolls in, hands in pockets, looking around; checking out the bedrooms and the hot tub, grunting his approval at the open fire. "Nice place," he comments. "I see that you've spared no expense again."

"What else am I going to spend my money on? Running my non-existent home and funding my ex-wife's live-in lover?"

His face falls....

.... and I feel like a complete shit....

"Sorry, that wasn't aimed at you...."

"Yes, it was. What have I done to upset you?"

Michael's back is turned to me as he stacks kindling and small screws of newspaper into the fireplace, making a neat pile which lights with a single match.

"I said I'm sorry." My voice is still sharp, though I don't intend it to be. He looks up at me in silence, then watches the fire for a few moments as the flames begin to catch.

Turning to me, he stands, arms folded, legs akimbo. "Alright, what's eating you? Are you regretting this? Not wanting to carry through with her? Because if you don't, I...."