“Grace, Order #416!”
I went up to the counter to pick up my order of coffee. The barista smiled at me and wished me a Happy New Year. I smiled and left the counter.
I plopped myself on one of the sofas in the cafe and placed my coffee on the table. Taking out my phone out of my pocket, I see I have a missing call from Ari. Fuck, lemme call this bitch back.
“About time you call me back, bitch,” Ari playfully teased as she picked up the phone. I rolled my eyes. Ain’t nothing change with her.
“Sorry, you know I need my coffee fix in the morning,” I answered.
“Yeah, yeah; ain’t nothing new,” Ari responded. Ari and I’s friendship has definitely been tested within the last year. Ari has been promoted to an attorney, so she’s been more so in the courtroom rather than being at the firm. In some sort of way, I felt like Ari had the best of both worlds; she was able to keep her work and personal life separate from each other. She was able to clock out, leave work, and go home to Dean.
“You’re off work today?” Ari asked.
“Yep. I had some of the choreographers teaching the dancers today; I needed a day to just breathe.” I answered. The dance studio has been the one consistent thing in my life. I would go in, teach my dancers routines for competitions and recitals, stay there way longer than I need to be, and then do it all again the following day. I guess it was just a good way to pass the time; to keep myself busy during the days.
“Okay! So whatcha gonna do on your day off?” Ari excitedly asked. It’s crazy to think that conversations like this one were the reason why we had a rocky year of friendship.
“Max is coming down with Willow, so I was going to meet them and spend the day with them,” I answered. Ari didn’t say anything, but I knew exactly what she thought. “No, Ari; Max and I are not seeing each other for the hundredth time.”
“Whatever, you guys spend time like you are,” Ari scoffed. I rolled my eyes and sipped my coffee as I placed it back on the table. “Besides, what kind of love story would it be if mom and dad didn’t get back together?”
“Bye, Ari; go and spend some time with your man,” I playfully said and hung up the phone.
It’s raining heavy this particular Spring day. I ran to the front door of the apartment building after getting out of the cab. Drenched hair, clothes, everything. I didn’t really care at that point; maybe the rain would cover up my puffy eyes and I can just blame it on the seasonal allergies or something. I rang a doorbell in which then the person buzzed me in. Walking up the stairs to the apartment, I already see the front door opened. I can’t help but think this is it. This is the day I lose my best friend.
I entered Ari’s apartment and close her door. I politely place my drenched coat and purse near her door, avoiding getting anything wet. She looks at me with crossed arms. Why does this feel worse than being scolded by my own mother?
“You had an umbrella; what happened?” Ari asked.
“The rain is… coming down really hard.” I softly said. Ari doesn’t say anything back, she just walks to one of the closet doors and pulls out some clothes.
“You’re not sitting on my furniture with your wet ass clothes,” Ari stated as she handed me the clothes. I took them and went to the bathroom to change. I didn’t want to say anything to upset Ari.
…
“So, you’re gonna tell me what happened?” Ari nonchalantly asked.
“About what?”
“Stop playing stupid with me, Grace.” Ari spat. She didn’t like to be questioned about the obvious things.
“I honestly don’t have to tell you anything,” I answered, annoyed at Ari’s entitlement. I love Ari, but she sometimes thinks she’s my mother, not my best friend.
“Oh, so you’re just not gonna tell me what’s going on? I’m supposed to be your best friend; we tell each other everything. Now that doesn’t apply to one of the most important things happening in your life?” Ari agrued.
“I don’t want to fucking talk about it, Ari,” I answered back, now angry. Ari didn’t understand that this wasn’t just something that I would get over after a talk. I was tired of having to explain myself again and again to Ari. “You know what? I’m sick and tired of you treating me like I’m your daughter or something,” I began. Ari look appalled.
“Maybe if you stop acting like you’re 19, maybe then I don’t need to worry about you like you were a child,” Ari responded back.
“Be my fucking friend, Ari! Why do I always have to report on the minor things that happen in my life?! Why can’t a simple ‘I don’t wanna talk about’ be enough for you?”
“Because aborting a child isn’t a fucking minor thing, Grace!” Ari yelled out. I cried. My eyes couldn’t stop; no matter how many times I wiped my eyes, the tears would just keep coming down.
“It was my fucking choice! So stop making me feel like it wasn’t!” I yelled back. My throat hurt when I yelled. It must’ve been loud by the way Dean came out of the other room to check on us. Ari got up from the sofa and went into her room, passing Dean.
“I-I hate to say this, Grace,” Dean started. I got up and grabbed my umbrella and purse. I didn’t even care if my clothes were still in Ari’s dryer. I just wanted to leave her place and never come back.
The alarm on my phone went off and realized that I was going to be late meeting Max and Willow. I grabbed my coffee and tossed it into the trash and went towards the exit. I bumped into a gentleman with a ton of papers in his hand. Fuck, I should help him pick it up. Before I went to bend down and help the guy get his papers, my cellphone rings. I quickly apologized to the man and walked right out of the door, answering Max’s call.
Letters From Liz. 