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31st
December 2009
After Joy
. . .
Only
one week ago, she was deliriously happy. What
with a proposal and being surrounded by family,
Ari’d never had a better Christmas. Fast
forward to the present, and she was miserable!
She was fighting a losing battle trying to write
up a piece that she just couldn’t wrap
her mind around at the moment. Nothing was going
right, and ironically, it was the time of year
that Ari most looked forward to.
One. Her friendship with Kaysie was failing.
Two, her publisher had yelled at her earlier
that week for failing to meet his deadline,
even after she explained that she needed an
extension.
And three, B3 was being B3.
Not the loving, caring, irritatingly sweet person
that he could be. This time, he was also being
the overly easy going, nonchalant B3 who always
failed to do things on time.
“Babe, I told you I wanted to go to Blue
on Old Years night,” she was saying to
B3 over the phone, fighting to catch his attention
as usual. He was always like this at work. “We’ve
never been there before, and you said you wanted
a venue that hosted a full-on party.”
Left up to her, she’d have made the bookings
already; two weeks ago; like she did last year
when it was her treat. But B3 was the last minute
type.
“I know . . .” he said distractedly.
“But I think you should call the Cave.
I heard it’s really good too.”
That was B3—always wanting to shop around
for the best deal—which Ari perfectly
understood, of course. It was shopping around
two days before the big event, with places booking
like crazy that worried her.
“Fine babe, I will,” she said, trying
to keep her voice even. Everything else seemed
to be against her. She needed B3 in her corner.
She’d been liaising with Maxine to see
if she wanted to double. Kaysie had crossed
her mind, but only in passing. Ever since Kay
found out that she was about to create her own
little family, she’d begun pulling away
from Ari. The abusive Ricky came first.
Ricky really had Kay under his control now.
Ari guessed that with her pregnancy came vulnerability
and a fear of abandonment, especially when it
came to the kid, but Kaysie had willingly put
on blinkers.
The last time they spoke, they’d fought.
“You wouldn’t believe what Ricky
just said. He came to me and was saying that
people were telling him the kid isn’t
his,” Kaysie said. They were all attending
the housewarming party of a mutual friend, and
Kaysie had just joined Ari out on the patio.
Ari squirmed uncomfortably on the porch swing.
“Okay,” she said, choosing her words
carefully. “Why would he say something
like that?
She’d fought with Kaysie many times over
the way Ricky treated her, while Kaysie always
turned a blind eye, so Ari resolved not to say
a word. But it was hard to see your friend hurting
and not want to instinctively defend her.
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Kaysie laughed uncomfortably, trying to make
light of the situation. “I don’t
know, I think he probably said it to test for
a reaction. That’s just the way he is,
you know?”
Ari looked at Kaysie, sitting next to her a
few pounds heavier and much rounder than she
used to be. Then she looked at the strained
expression on Kaysie’s face and knew she
couldn’t hold it in.
“Kaysie, a statement like that is not
funny. Why would someone who loves you want
to hurt you? You need to walk away, Kay. You
can take care of yourself and find someone who
really loves you and can love the baby too.
You’re a fool if you stay with him!”
“Ari, that’s just how he is. I know
him. He doesn’t mean anything by it.”
“Yes he does Kay. No one who loves you
would try to put you down like that. You’re
being an idiot.”
That was when Kaysie stood and walked away.
Ari wondered afterward, how many more beatings
Kaysie would be able to endure. They hadn’t
spoken since.
Then that stuff with work happened.
Two days later, she was zipped up in an expensive
dress, dainty high heels and a stormy expression
on her face, as B3 drove them to what she figured
was some cheap little restaurant which was the
only one available at the last minute. Nothing,
absolutely nothing was going her way.
B3 seemed apologetic, with a sheepish look on
his face as he glanced at Ari peripherally.
“Um, boo, I’m sorry. But I heard
it’s a really great spot,” he said
trying to change her mood.
Ari just grunted as they walked into a crowded
dining hall and were escorted to a table near
the entrance to the bathroom. B3 tried unsuccessfully
to get another table. They were booked.
Ari figured she’d wait it out, but every
time the door swung open, gut wrenching smell
wafted toward them. She’d had it.
“See, I told you—” she blurted.
“Babe,” B3 cut her off, all too
aware of the company. “Now is not the
time. We’ll talk about this later.”
But Ari wanted to talk now, and B3 shushing
her only fuelled her anger. With everything
else being over the top on New Year’s
Eve, she figured why not lay on the drama?
“Forget it,” she said pushing her
chair back, meeting B3’s incredulous stare
with one of defiance. “You won’t
hear my voice for the remainder of the night.
Enjoy your dinner.”
Ari stood, and walked out. She’d had a
good mind to give him back his ring too, but
that would have been a little too much—even
for New Year’s!
Discuss
Story
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