"Tough shit and shut up. You're gonna get the neighbors up here."

"You bastard!"

"Get out, Carrie!"

"No! Not till I come!" she screamed.

Darren slapped her hard across the tits. "Carrie! If you don't get the fuck out of here, I'm gonna break one of your damn arms."

With the lease signed and the deposit put down, Melissa Trent walked up the stairs to 4-B. She could smell the odor of cleaning fluids before she got through the door.

But soon, very soon, Melissa thought, it will smell like me… and my new life.

There was a couch, a couple of big chairs, a few tables and lamps, all very neat and clean. The living room was separated from a phone booth sized dining area by a counter, and the tiny kitchen had fairly new appliances and crisp curtains at the window.

She started to make some coffee. While it was perking, she went to the phone and dialed a number.

"Hullo," a sleepy voice slurred.

"Bob?"

"Yeah, who's this?"

"Jeez, you're here!" the voice cried, suddenly very awake. "When did you get in?"

"Just a couple of hours ago. Thanks far setting up the apartment for me."

"S'okay," he replied, then paused. "Is it over?"

"Yeah," Melissa said. "For good. The divorce will be final in four months."

"I'm happy for you, Melissa. And I hope you're happy."

"You could make me happier," she replied.

"Say how?"

"I haven't been fucked in over a month," she giggled.

"Say no more! I'll be there in an hour!"

"See you!" She hung up the phone and couldn't help smiling as the image of Bob's face came back to her. It would be good to see him again.

Precisely one hour later, she answered the knock at the door. She was greeted by a laughing cackle coming from behind a large bucket of chicken.

"Thought you might be hungry," Bob said as he peered around the bucket.