Better in the Long Run

An Optimistic Turn of Events

Surprising my mom was like watching a three year old at Christmas seeing the mountain of presents for the first time. And with that came, “Are you eating enough?” or the usual, “Oh why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would’ve pulled out all the stops for you!” Yes. Surprising my mother was a very bittersweet experience. My father on the other hand was much harder.

                “I had a feeling you’d be making an appearance sooner or later.” Nonetheless, I know he was just surprised as mom. As April predicted, we all went out to dinner and after walked the beach and got ice cream. It felt like no time had passed between us. Mom was still a branch office administrator at Edward Jones and dad was still the financial advisor there and business was booming. April was in her senior year of high school and in the homecoming court. Josh was busy raising Bella by himself and an accountant.

                Josh was married once to Bella’s mother, Lucille. She ended up running off to Paris with some guy she met from Washington D.C. leaving Josh and Bella behind. It seemed that he was doing fine without her. If Josh could pull strength from his heartbreak, I could too.

                It was about ten o’ clock and I stepped onto the front porch and sat on the porch swing. I loved coming out here to contemplate life. I always brought along a journal…not to record the day’s events, but I write down some stupid ideas I could one day write about. My phone interrupted what could’ve been a quiet night. I sighed and looked at the screen, only to see Hayley’s name. I frowned, not exactly ready to face her, but you have to start somewhere, right? I quickly answered.

                “Tess, I tried to get into your apartment to get my things and my key doesn’t work.”

                “I changed the locks.” I heard her scoff.

                “Why the hell would you do that? I have some things I need to pick up. This is so typical of you. Can you at least get over here and unlock the door?”

                “I did it because you and Brian are the last people I want in my apartment and no, I can’t come unlock the door for you because I’m on vacation.”

                “You must have given someone another key…”

                “I have both of them. I’ve come to learn you can’t trust friends these days.”

                “This isn’t funny! I have a dress that I let you borrow for an audition tomorrow!”

                “Well, it’ll have to wait two weeks. I’m long gone.”

                “You’re a piece of work Tess!” I could feel my blood boil. My anger started taking over me and if I didn’t calm down soon, I’d wake the whole neighborhood up.

                “I’m the piece of work? Have you seriously no shame? Do you even care how deeply you’ve hurt me? I’ve been there for you through everything. I gave you a place to stay when you were evicted, I wiped your tears when Paul left you, I picked up your rent when you couldn’t cover it and never asked for a cent of it back…did I really mean that little to you?”

                “You’re just mad because I won.”

                “What’s the prize? Brian? What makes you think he won’t cheat on you like he did me?”

                “Whatever. Give me a call when you get back.” I hung up the phone and my tears replaced my anger. I couldn’t even describe the pain I was feeling right now. She didn’t care. She didn’t care about me like I cared about her. I shared every secret I ever had with her. I sobbed loudly and hugged my knees to my chest.