Derick had to endure Lydia's pleadings all the way up to the 27th floor. Once they got to the door of his apartment, he stopped her. "This is where it ends, Lydia. Goodbye." Derick walked into his apartment, slamming the door in her face, and locking it.
Lydia slid down the door to the floor, as if her legs had become gelatin. She sat on the floor in the hallway right beside Derick's apartment door, hoping he'd open it.
Maria came by and knocked on Derick's door a few minutes later, wondering about the strange woman sitting there. "Hello." Maria said to the woman. "Is Derick not home?"
"No, he's home. He just won't let me in."
"Oh." Maria replied, knocking again.
The woman saw the perplexed look on Maria's face and stood up, offering her hand for a handshake. "Hi. I'm Lydia, Derick's wife."
Maria was silent a moment before studdering a greeting. "H-Hello." Maria didn't offer her name or how she was connected to Derick.
Just then, Derick opened the door and saw the two women standing there, both looking equally puzzled.
"Maria, hi." Derick took Maria's hands, kissed her on the cheek and led her into his home. Lydia tried to follow.
"Lydia, go home." He pushed her back so he could close the door.
"What's going on?" Maria motioned to the door.
"She followed me home from work and wormed her way into the building. I'll explain later."
"She followed you home? Why? I'd like you to explain now."
"Later." He said sternly.
Maria strode over to the door and opened it. "Lydia, please, come in."
"And who are you?" Lydia asked nastily as she moved into the apartment, looking around as if about to give approval.
"I'm Derick's girlfriend." Maria replied.
Lydia stopped surveying the apartment and looked at her. "He doesn't need a girlfriend. He has a loving wife." She turned to Derick.
"Lydia, you are making me sick. Please leave." Derick said in response to her loving gaze.
"You're kidding. I know you love me."
"Do you know what I love, Lydia? I love pie. Did you know that?"
Lydia looked at Derick blankly.
"That's right. You didn't. But Maria knows. That's one of the first things she noticed. And did you know that I like to play cards? Oh, that's right. You didn't. You don't know me, Lydia. Now please leave, or I'll call the police."