Roxie - II. Broken Doll

 

Roxie - Chapter 2:  Broken Doll

 

 

 

"I think you should go as Cupid," suggested Colleen.

 

Roxie arched a brow. "Well, that would be a bit ironic, don'tcha think?"

 

"I think someone should be Cupid," interjected Eric.

 

"Why?"

    

"So someone will grab one of those arrows and plant it on your butt," he replied.

 

"Oh, bite me," Roxie retorted.

 

Colleen stifled a giggle. "Play nice, guys," she admonished.

 

Eric looked at Roxie. "You know I love you," he said as he winked.

 

Roxie rolled her eyes. "I swear if you weren't married to my best friend I'd have conked you in your skull by now."

 

"Oh you love me and you know it," laughed Eric as he got up to order another round of drinks from the bartender.

 

It was an easy banter, and one they were all familiar with. Ever since Roxie quit the circus three years ago, her life has settled into a comfortable routine. That was in no small part due to the friendship she started with Colleen, when she met her at the employment agency fresh out of the circus. Roxie was new to town and, even though they were roughly the same age, Colleen had taken her under her wing, finding her a job right away and even helping her hunt for an apartment. Roxie got along just as well with Colleen's husband and, to their credit, they never made her feel like a third wheel. Though Roxie endured the good-natured ribbing from Eric about when she was going to start dating again. Both he and Colleen knew a little of Roxie's past and how she was afraid of love. And while they both knew that pressing the issue was sure to chase her away, they both couldn't resist trying to set up Roxie as often as they thought they could get away with. And their next attempt was the upcoming Halloween party that Eric's boss was hosting.

 

"Roxie, I can't believe you still don't have a costume! The party is in three days," said Colleen.

 

Roxie just shrugged. "It's not that big of a deal. And it's not like I'm out to impress anyone."

 

"But, what if you found someone there who you wanted to impress?" whispered Colleen excitedly as she leaned across the table toward Roxie.

 

Roxie leaned into the table to meet Colleen and whispered back "what if there isn't?"

 

Colleen grunted and leaned back into her seat in mock-disgust. "There won't be, with that attitude," she replied.

 

"Oh, that's a great costume idea," said Roxie.

 

"What?" asked Colleen, confused.

 

"I'll be the one wearing attitude," Roxie laughed just as Eric returned with their drinks.

 

"Yes, and you wear it so well," he grinned as he handed her her drink.

 

Now it was Colleen's turn to roll her eyes. "Seriously, Roxie, you have to have a costume."

 

Roxie pondered over her drink. "Well, I do have a trunk load of sequined leotards. I could always go as a trapeze artist."

 

"Yeah, that's a stretch," smirked Eric.

 

Colleen slapped Eric in the arm. "Owww!" he cried, rubbing his injured arm vigorously.

 

"Oh, stop exaggerating," Colleen admonished before turning to Roxie. "You're a trapeze artist every year; that's a cop-out."

 

"Ok, fine. I'll add a wig or a mask or…………something. Satisfied?" asked Roxie.

 

"Yeah, fine. Just put a little effort into it this year," answered Colleen. "How about if we pick you up at 9:00 Friday night?"

 

"I'll be waiting with bells on," Roxie replied with a smile that she wasn't quite feeling.

  

She knew the party would be fun. But she also knew that it would be loaded with couples, and the holidays were always the hardest times for her. She knew there would eventually come a point in the evening when her friends' companionship wouldn't be enough, and she would endure that longing feeling once again. And once again her thoughts would turn to Chase, and the one she let get away.

 

'No,' she thought to herself. 'The one who let her get away.' Inwardly she sighed and chastised herself.  Despite her best efforts and her attempt at running, love had again gotten under her skin and she couldn’t escape its sorrow.  She sadly shook her head as she thought ‘Every time you give yourself away, it comes back to haunt you.’  She was now beginning to actually dread this Halloween party.

 

Three nights later, she was still dreading it. But she knew Colleen would drag her out by her ear if she balked, so she opted for a glass or two of wine to keep her company while she dressed for the evening. She was actually feeling a little better by the time Colleen and Eric were knocking on her door.

 

"Oh, you look stunning!" greeted Roxie as she took in Colleen's costume. "Nice cleavage," she noted wryly.

 

Eric grinned lasciviously. "Nice, huh?" he agreed. "How could she be Marilyn and not wear the white dress?"

 

"How, indeed? Joe, darling," Colleen purred to her husband-turned-Yankee Clipper.

 

Roxie made little gagging noises, abruptly turning her friends' attention away from each other.

 

"Sorry, you know how he gets," said Colleen before hugging Roxie and holding her at arms' length. "You look gorgeous! And the mask is perfect."

 

"Yeah, how many birds did they kill for that thing?" teased Eric.

 

Roxie shot him a look before checking herself once more in the hallway mirror. "None, moron," she replied as she made one final adjustment. The mask was adorned with Swarovski crystals and feathers in blue and black. It complimented her silver and blue costume, and she was actually quite pleased with the results. 'Not that it really matters, though,' she reminded herself as she followed her friends out the door.

 

(c) Dahlia Ramone: April 23, 2017

 

 

This was written for Blogophilia

 

Week 9.10 Topic: Toll Free Calling (I did not incorporate the topic)

 

Bonus Points (I did use those):

 

Hard (2 pts): Use a line from the band “Garbage” *

Easy (1 pt): Mention a Skull (in ninth line of story)

 

*  “Every time you give yourself away / it comes back to haunt you”

     from Run Baby Run

Link to Part 1:
http://dahliaramonestories.blogspot.com/2017/04/roxie-i-preface.html