Once Broken by D.M. Hamblin

seeing Tony. After the …” she hesitated, shutting her eyes, “abortion, I went to therapy for a few years to deal with a lot of my issues. Tony and I got together after that. Boy, a lot has happened since we last saw each other. In fact, that’s why I’m here today, buying his Christmas gift. Want to see it? I’d love a guy’s opinion.”
    “Sure thing.”
    Jackie flipped open the box.
    “That’s one cool watch! I hope he knows how lucky he is.”
    They finished their cocktails, hugged, and said good-bye. “It was so nice to see you, David.”
    “You too. Don’t let that guy take advantage of you or I’ll have to come up from Seymour and kick his ass.”
    Jackie smiled. “No worries, David. You take care of yourself.”
    *
    The following week, Tony picked up Jackie to go to Tara and Jim’s Christmas party. Jackie greeted Tony wearing a glittering red fitted dress with a plunging neckline and a handkerchief-cut hem, and red ankle-strap heels. Her dark straight hair hung loose below her shoulders, as Tony preferred it.
    “Oh my God,” Tony gasped as she opened the door. He eyed her up and down. “I’ve never seen you look more beautiful.” This time he couldn’t wait until they got to the car for their hello kiss. He took it right there and then. Pushing her up against the hall wall, he kissed her ardently and whispered, “I hope Lucille is nowhere around.”
    “No one’s home.”
    Tony lifted her flowing skirt and caressed her legs and ass while he kissed her neck and worked his way down to her breasts. “Oh my.” Jackie pushed him away. “We’ll never get to the party if we keep this up.”
    Tony laughed. “Sorry hon, you’re so hot in that dress. I don’t know how I’ll keep my hands off you all night.”
    “Well, you’ll have to try,” she said with a smile. She grabbed her white wool coat and red purse. Tony held her coat and as she slipped into it he kissed her neck again. She whispered, “Ooh, seriously, we need to go.”
    He chuckled. “Okay, okay.”
    *
    At Jim’s apartment, Jackie handed Tara a plate of olive cheese balls she had made.
    “Thanks.” Tara kissed Jackie’s cheek. “It’s so nice to see you! Come help me in the kitchen. Tony, the guys are playing pool in the community room if you want to join them.”
    “Sure!”
    Jackie followed Tara through the living room into the kitchen.
    “Jackie, that’s an awesome dress! Can I borrow it for Jim’s work party?”
    “Absolutely! I bought it last week at the mall. By the way, you’ll never believe who I ran into that day.”
    “Ellen?”
    “No. You’ll never guess. David.”
    Tara passed Jackie sour cream and Lipton soup mix.
    “David Lancaster?”
    Their conversation was interrupted. “What the fuck, Jackie, you ran into David at the mall and didn’t tell me?” Tony had returned to the kitchen to grab a beer and stood at the door eavesdropping. Jackie’s heart thumped. She’d never heard that tone of voice from Tony before.
    “Oh Tony, it was nothing. I’d have told you but I didn’t have a chance.”
    “What do you mean, you didn’t have a chance? It was a week ago! We saw each other last Saturday and Sunday and spoke on the phone every night. How could you not have had a chance?”
    “Well, I mean it wasn’t important so it slipped my mind.”
    “It was important enough to tell Tara as soon as you saw her.”
    “Yeah, but I didn’t break a leg calling her. If it was that important, I’d have called her.”
    “It’s important Jackie. I know it’s important.”
    Taking Tony by the hand, she led him into Jim’s bedroom for privacy and sat on the coat-covered bed. “Calm down. So I ran into David in the mall. It’s no big deal.”
    “If you had told me before I overheard you telling your best friend, I might believe you. But — ”
    “That’s the point. Tara and I call each other with important news. If it was important, I’d have called her. And, if it was important, I’d have told