Angelica
is uneasy. She misses Jeremy; while she is curious about Robert. She thumbs
through her diary, listening as pages echo. The years have been intimate. Robert
is a loyal confidant. He is straightforward, and often too honest—but a great
friend. Jeremy is more bravado, quick tempered, and often carries old ways; but
it feels safe, it feels natural, where a woman has standards to live up to. But
days are split, thoughts are uneven, and sunshine gets vague.
You
appear to yourself, after ten minutes of meditation. You hear a motorcycle. It couldn’t
be—it’s Jeremy.
You
open the door and greet him. He looks haggard, even crestfallen. You speak: “How
is it going, Jeremy?” He looks up: “It is a rough derby, Robert.” You ask
Jeremy to come in, but he declines the invitation. He says: “Would you talk
with Angelica for me?” You are mixed, but it seems appropriate, and those deep
feelings must rest. “Of course, I will, Jeremy!”
You
watch as Jeremy leaves. He is having a difficult time, and it is evident. You call
Angelica. She doesn’t answer. About three minutes pass when she calls back: “What’s
going on, Robert?” she says. You respond: “Jeremy came over, asked me to speak
with you, and he looks bad. Are you planning on getting back with him?” There
was a thirty second pause, and then Angelica says: “Come over, Robert.” You agree
and hang up.
Angelica
doesn’t live far away. She has lived nearby for several years now. It is a Sunday
morning, the winds are heavy, and the leaves are rowdy. Angelica is on the
porch. You two talk softly. You have to remind yourself about Jeremy. Angelica
speaks: “Do you feel the same sober as you did that night, Robert?” You look
intently. Angelica feels womanly. You respond: “I care for you, but what makes
for happiness may be something else.” Angelica kisses you.
Something
is feeling exceptional.
You
and Angelica shower together. You remind her about Jeremy. She says: “I know!” You
are confused. Something has just occurred. Angelica gazes into you and says: “I
will talk to Jeremy. But I am not going to tell him about us and what has
happened.” You seem to understand, but you need more information. You realize
that being passive is not going to adjust this. “Angelica, are we together,
something secret, or was this a one-time thing?” Angelica says that she wants
things to remain the same, but something new has taken place.
It
was necessary, she says. If it happens again, that wouldn’t be death, but for
now we will carry on like we have.
You
tell Angelica to call Jeremy. And head home.
