Chapter 5.
"Well hello Lana! Nice to see you after a long time, how are you?"
"Oh Mark, thanks for that. I was a little scared to come when I didn't know what you were saying."
"Sorry Lana, if I've been unpleasant, it's been a bit of a rough time. But I'm doing a lot better now."
"Of course. Where's the girls?"
"They are visiting home for a week or so. Some unfinished business there that needs to be taken care of."
"I just came to tell you that I've left Brian. It's over now."
"OK, I don't really know what I should say now. Congratulate or apologize. How do you feel?"
"I'm maybe a little sad, but a lot relieved. However, we had that relationship for quite a long time and I was pretty hot for it at first. Relieved again, because frankly it was a downhill after you left."
"Well, what broke the camel's back?"
"Well, those bunny stories of yours have made me thinking. As you probably wanted. I think you're at least on the right track. When I remember those early days of ours, they were quite different than these late days of ours. But we were so young then that the comparison isn't right fair. But I guess our thing changed over the years and you're right that I somehow felt like something was missing in my life. And then when Lisa drummed up that open relationship, I thought that's exactly what we need. I couldn't think that you'd take it so differently than I did. I thought that you just whined because you don't have quite the same opportunities. But I guess it wasn't quite like that.
It finally became clear to me that you will not come back to me if I don't dump Brian. That left me with no options. When I have to choose, I choose you. That has been a very clear thing to me all along. I just didn't believe that you would be so adamant about this.
And then you've become so determined. You have become somehow different. And then those girls make me restless. I don't really know what to think about that. That doesn't fit my Mark's behavior at all. So, well played, honey, I'm proud of you."
"Okay, now what?"
"Well, I thought I'd take you back now. I've really missed you the whole time. My life doesn't go well without you. You always somehow kept me on track. After all, you know what I'm like. It's hard for me to keep practical things in check. I get excited about something and then everything else is forgotten. That's how it was with Brian. I really can't do well without you. And I don't want to do without you. I never thought that I would even have to think about doing so. Can we just get back together Mark? I am willing to make compromises now, that I realized what I'm about to lose. I promise I try to be a less selfish bitch in the future."
"Oh, Lana, so much has happened in such a short time. This came a bit out of the blue and I don't really know what to think. I had already pretty much given up hope with you. Could we move forward somehow slower. We could maybe like date at first and see, how's it going?"
"Suits for me, we haven't dated in twenty years, so it'll be interesting how it goes. Well, ask me out then? Let's see if I agree."
"Lana, would you consider going out for pizza and movies with me on Friday?"
"Well, I don't know, just the two of us or will the girls come along?"
"Just the two of us, I promise to take you home before midnight."
"Well then, yes. Would you get me around six?"
"Agreed."
"By the way, I solved the bunny/wimp problem that was hindering our relationship."
"Oh, just like that? Well, how did you do it?"
"I contacted our local bunny organization and got a unanimous decision from there that you are now a hunk. So that we are now officially a bunny-hunk and out of the danger zone."
"Oh, an official decision. Well, there's no point in questioning that then. We have a pretty good prognosis now. And Lana, if you see Anal, tell her to stay the hell in the underworld."
"Hehhe, don't be so strict. She was a pretty hot bitch though."
...
"Thanks, Mark, nice evening. You can kiss me now as a reward. Hmm... I'd ask you in, But as you know I never put out on a first date, so good night."
"Do you want to eat with me and the girls tomorrow?"
"I don't know what if we fight. They can be pretty mean."
"Hey, there were nastiness on both sides, if I remember correctly. You have to learn to get along with them. They're not going to disappear anywhere in my life. I'll give them a talk. You must both behave nicely or I'll put you in a corner."
"Do I have to? Well, I'll come in sixish then."
...
"Girls come here. Lana is coming to eat with us today and I want you to be in your best behavior. So like the opposite of normal."
"Have you started hanging out with her again? We're on a trip for a week and you're immediately hanging out with your ex. I guess you just cannot be left alone for a moment."
"It feels like the old Lana has finally come back. For some reason, I'm not mad at her anymore. I'm sure that the biggest credit goes to you. When I'm with you, I can't think of anything negative. I would never have believed three months ago that this could happen."
"And then you just abandon us like old gloves while your ex blinks her green eyes a little."
"Darling, I will never abandon you. I told Lana that she has to learn to get along with you, because you will always be with me in one way or another. Lana is the one here who walks on a tightrope. If I have to choose, I choose you. But all three of us know that I need a relationship with an adult before long."
"Yeah, yeah, let's try, but if she starts to jibe, we'll throw her out in the yard right away."
"Yes we do."
...
"Violet, Jane, I apologize for my behavior last time. I've been quite confused about this thing you three have, whatever it is."
"OK, let bygones be bygones, Lana. If Mark wants you, we won't be an obstacle. We've grown quite fond of that old chump."
"Well then, there are three of us. What ever has he eaten, when he is being admired by three such beautiful women."
"Well, I do know his oral skills, hehhe. Thanks Lana for the training."
"Uh, grose Violet, But I kind of guessed that. And he's eager, yes. But that's a misuse of my education. My IPR has been violated here."
"That's just obscene, now behave you all! Keep this up and you all are in the corner. Let's go eat."
"Lana, how's business? Is it embarrassing at work, now that you broke up with Brian?"
"So you know about that already. Yes, Brian became quite impossible. Everyone there in the company knew about our relationship and even before the break it started to be a bit awkward. The gang grinned and became quiet in the coffee room when I walked in. Then when we broke up, Brian has been really shitty at work and got even a couple of bosses on his side. I decided that I've had enough of that crap and quit my job a week ago."
"Oh, and I thought that career was everything to you."
"Oh Mark, my priorities changed when I started to get really scared that you would never come back. I first tried to act as if nothing had happened. I continued my relationship with Brian as before. I met friends as before. I worked long hours as before. But everything wasn't like it used to be. When you disappeared, the joy somehow slowly disappeared with you. It was strange. No matter what I tried, everything just felt kind of boring."
