Chapter 3. 99 Problems

If you having girl problems

I feel bad for you son

I got 99 problems

But a chick ain't one

Alone. All alone. Todd rolled over onto his back staring into nothing as he tried to pinpoint the reason he was sleeping alone. The bitter cold of the immaculate silence bit the air as he tried to gather his hopeful dreams and bleak thoughts. I could get any girl I ever wanted but I can't keep you.  One small quiet tear fell from his pale gray eye as he tried to figure out what the hell went wrong.

"Ruff ruff..... ruff!" Lazy charged at his owner barking and yelping until he finally got up.

"Hey boy! Where's your momma? You don't know? Don't worry I don't either." Todd patted the pit on the head. Lazy whimpered and licked his owner almost empathetically.

Todd stumbled into the bathroom drawing the bathwater at his light a match for his cigarette and spent some alone time with one of his favorite girls: Vodka. Finally once it was ready Todd eased into the tube. The scorching heat settled onto his skin causing steam to rise and his body to sweat. Todd rejoiced in the feel of burning heat. That was the way he liked it. Burn away the skin, Burn away the worries.

Why? Why did you have to be so damn perfect.  Todd pulled from under the sink cabinet the new issue of Body Magazine. The one he had been hiding from himself for weeks to keep to from going insane. Along with it he pulled out a small bag. Inside it contained only three things. An engagment ring and two love letters, both from her. Todd looked at the Mag again. There she was; his Eliza. His dream girl. His beloved. The one who left him with out a goodbye. He hated her so much he could feel the fire corse through his veins! Yet he loved her.

He couldn't keep doing this. He was truly going crazy. Taking his phone off the bathroom counter he called Kelly. That was only person he knew he could always talk to.

The rain pelts crashed onto the car like mini rocket launchers blasting into space.  Todd left the sunroof down letting the rain hit him as if it was some form of punishment.  Yet again he was alone. Only thing was he couldn't comprehend why this bothered him so much. Hell! He had been alone his entire life. Maybe he mom was right. Maybe he was cured. Maybe he was a demon seed coming straight from a bastard ass father who's good for nothing like him. Maybe just maybe.

The rain had started to let up when he got to the Bistro. He could spot Kelly right away. The Ginger head was actually easy to find.

"Hey Romeo! What's up with you! Still making all the Juliets drop like flies."  Kelly laughed at his own joke.

"Yeah Blaze just like you set all the girls on fire!" Both men laughed poking fun at their work names.

"Yea man, but for real what's up? Got any new news? Your married? Got a new girlfriend? Got somebody pregnant?" A sarcastic smirk played on his lips.

 Todd pondered over the question for a few moments. Should he tell him? Kells was his bestfriend after all? But than again he knew that Kelly was probably tired of hearing about her.  

 "Nothing much man. Same old, same old you?"

"I'm glad you asked! Did you see the new girl yet?"

"Who? Whats-her-name? Adella? Aurora?"

"Adora?"

"Not yet. What about her?"

"Man her name sure does fit her. She's a real cutie if you no what I mean." Kelly gave a sly look.

"No I don't" Todd joked around. It was good talking to his bestfriend.  

"So anyway I was......" Kelly stop talking mid word his gaze fixed on something. Todd looked. He could not believe what he saw.

 There she was. Eliza. And she was with another man. Todd's blood boiled in his veins and his face tensed.

"Bye Kells. Catch ya at work tommorrow. "

Todd stormed pass them staring Eliza dead in the eye as she remained shocked and speechless.

That night she stopped by. He tried to refuse her. He tried resist but he couldn't.

That night they made love. She told she loved him. She was sorry. She would stay. How was he supposed to know it was all a lie?

The next morning Todd awoke to a cold unmade bed and a note that said "Sorry. Can't stay. Found something better. Gone for good. Love you.

Todd felt queasy and heartbroken. Seating on the couch in front of his bed he rose from it to head for the kitchen to get some more of his favorite girl.....