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Leaning against the bar Lynn took a long sip of her Coke, eyes glued to the melodramatic scene unfolding before her and the three drunks who opened the joint. In just one year of living in Tulsa Lynn had witnessed Sylvia and Dallas break up at least three times. The smallest things lit the fuse that lead to explosive and painful shouting matches. Lynn knew she couldn't say it to Sylvia's face without getting an earful and the cold shoulder but she really couldn't see why either of them continued to associate with the each other when it only ever lead to heart break. So she watched from the sideline like a good friend, ready to help pick up the pieces when the dust settled.
This time Dallas had come back from the cooler a whole month early only to find out that Sylvia had been- less than faithful- while he'd been away. A bottle smashed on the stool next to Lynn drawing her attention back to the present
"it ain't my fault you're a rat bastard," Sylvia seethed at Dallas' sneering face. When her eyes flicked to the table in between them Dallas darted forward grabbing the empty bottle before Sylvia could use it as ammo; even if her aim was bad he was close enough she'd hit him eventually given enough chances
"I knew you were an easy bitch Syl, don't add psycho bitch to that list." A dish of peanuts narrowly missed Dallas' face. "Better luck next time doll."
Buck leaned closer to Lynn from behind the bar, the permeating smell of smoke and cheap booze forcing Lynn to clear her throat before she burst out into a coughing fit
"ain't she the one who cheated on him?" He asked in an aggravated grumble. Lynn nodded still watching the bickering pair closely; she'd only ever needed to step in between them once before and it was an experience she was strongly against repeating.
"Doesn't matter who did the cheating Sylvia is still gonna be the one throwing things," she told him matter of factly. The bartender let out a huff before shouting loudly, freezing Sylvia and Dallas in place as they stared at their unwilling audience with open mouths and narrowed eyes
"y'all take this shit show somewhere else," Buck griped at them "break your own damned glasses." Turning her venomous glare back to Dallas, Sylvia slid the ring off her finger and threw it at Dallas hitting him squarely in the chest
"whatever. It's over asshole," she snapped before stalking out of the bar not bothering to wait for Lynn. Throwing back the last of her Coke Lynn hopped off the bar stool, making sure to give Dallas a quick shrug and an obligatory middle finger as she exited the bar. Sylvia was stomping her way down the road and back into town with her arms stiff at her sides and her curls bouncing from the force of her steps. Her eyes wouldn't meet Lynn's but she could see the brightness in them letting her knew that Sylvia was ready to crumble. There were very few people that had ever seen what Sylvia was like after a fight or altercation, Lynn knew that her harsh façade only lasted so long before it shattered under the pressure of her emotions.
"Syl?" She prompted carefully. Sylvia stopped in her tracks and the tears began to flow, taking her make up with them
"he's such an asshole," she sobbed out. The 'bitch' barb had clearly stuck under her skin. Lynn handed Sylvia a crumpled napkin from her pocket while she contemplated how to deliver the tough love her friend needed while still offering the comfort she wanted.
"A massive asshole," she concurred "no doubt about that. You did cheat on him though." Sylvia's anger blazed before quickly withering, her shoulders slumping and her face falling as she recalled the origin of their fight and break up
"I know," she croaked weakly "it had been two months since I'd seen his stupid face- and he never lets me visit when he's in there. I can't be expected to wait around for the bum forever." This was something Lynn couldn't refute; it had to be hard trying to date a guy whose main address was a jail cell, harder to be with someone who couldn't let anyone in no matter how much he liked them.
"Don't get me wrong I am all for you ditching Dallas- but are you sure this is REALLY going to be the last time?" To Lynn's surprise Sylvia pinched her face, inhaled deeply, and then forced the tears to stop flowing from her eyes. Suddenly she was cool and collected blotting the damp from her cheeks, looking at Lynn with red, steely eyes
"I'm done with him. Even if he comes crawling back I'll tell him to go to hell. I will not cry anymore tears for Dallas Winston."
Dallas died seven days later and Lynn comforted Sylvia, silently, as she cried oceans for him.