I couldn't sleep when I got home, I thought I forgot about what I saw but it is weighing on on my head.
I trust my friend and I would never want to break us apart, so I am hesitant to ask a question that I know she will analyze as me questioning her character.
I am going to let it go. One thing I have learned for sure along my life is, you get what you look for, so I am going to be optimistic.
*Knock knock*
"Hey Promise, I am going to Jacksonville to get my things from the apartment on Saturday, are you coming?"
"What time?"
"4:15, 4:30"
"What? why so early?"
"I have to move out by 10"
"Okay"
Mrs. Shannet stayed up and fried chicken for us to eat on the road, because we anticipated to be on the road all day.
Mr. Chase was supposed to accompany us in place of Mrs. Shannet, but his knee started acting up and he had to sit out this trip.
Bettany decided to drive his pick up truck instead of her car. Great choice, because we moved boxes until the tailgate could not close.
Well technically it could close, but Mrs. Shannet and her messed it up when they tried to force it open.
Before we arrived at our destination however, we were pulled over by the cops. Bettany received her first speeding ticket.
I found it funny, not because she loosed license points or someone else in her family have a ticket to pay for, because of how spoiled she is, but because I knew it was coming.
"Hi, how are you doing? I pulled you over because you were going eighty and the speed limit is sixty, as well as you tailgate light is blown. Where are you going?"
"I just graduated and I am going to Jacksonville to move out of my apartment"
"Okay, I asked because if you were travelling in night, you will be ticketed for that"
"Can I have your license and registration?"
Bettany searched for a few seconds
"It's not my car so I don't know know where everything is"
"We have to move out by nine thirty officer that's why we are going this fast" butted Mrs. Shannet.
The officer left for several minutes, and came back with a ticket.
"This should be two hundred and eighty dollars but I am going to let you off and give you for one hundred and fifty dollars"
"Thank you Officer" They both grinned
When we drove off, Mrs. Shannet reminded Bettany that if she had slowed down when she told her, she woudn't have gotten the ticket.
"Mom, I don't want to hear about it. It's a speeding ticket, everyone get's one. He is lucky he caught me at 60, because I was going one hundred.
I shook my head, realizing she didn't learn anything from the experience. Clearly, she thought, if the officer caught her at one hundred that he would be the paying the ticket.
For the rest of the ride, she kept seeking attention by saying am going to go faster because she knew Mrs. Shannet would jump in and tell her to slow down.
This may be bad but I wouldn't have said anything to her, and allow her to get two tickets even, because she doesn't listen.
Being stubborn can be a good thing, but it's only good when it's used for the right reasons, not when it's used for everything.
We arrived at our destination around fifteen minutes after schedule.
While walking to the room, I mentioned to Bettany that she should listen, she rebutted that she wasn't going fast as if I wasn't in the vehicle. Then she said, she was going fast at the time the cop stopped her.
Nonetheless, we were able to finalize the move out by ten.
After packing the trunk, Mrs. Shannet tried for over an hour to close the tailgate while Bettany criticized.
We got home twelve hours after we left out.
~
It was a good day overall, I discovered that fries taste amazing with guacamole and salsa dip. I have no complains.
Well, I do, I heard Bettany ask Mr. Chase to open the trunk of the van like she didn't know something was wrong with it. I would've said something, but I remembered, he told me to stay out of his family affair so I did.
When unpacking I told Bettany that it is a good thing that I like her, because this work isn't fun. I meant, it's a good thing that I like people in general.
One thing this situation taught me is that children model what they see around and while this is no excuse for a grown person, I can't blame her because they are one of a kind.
*Phone ringing*
"Hey Camalia, I see you just got home! Where do you live again"
"I was supposed to call you earlier but I had company"
"Okay, so what's up?"
"Nothing I was just checking on you"
Catherine joined us for a while then I had to finish some chores, so I came off the phone.
~
A guy from my past, Sam, reached out to my brother the other day.
When I didn't understand life as much as I do now, I would think it's a good thing that someone who you haven't spoken to in forever reached out to you it's a good thing.
Now, I understand that some things should be left in the past because most times people only miss the idea of being close to you.
My brother sent me a screenshot of the conversation he had with the guy.
"Yoo bro ur sister Ashley good bro, lost all my contacts I ain't heard from her since"
"Yea she good man. Ohh"
"Send her my number tell her it's Sam cuzz"
When I read the conversation I thought about telling my brother to tell him that the name doesn't ring a bell to me, but I realized I was being petty and I have the option of not texting him so I don't have to be rude.
Sam and I go way back. Before I came to the states, we were a thing. At least that's what I thought until he disrespected me.
I met him through a mutual friend. I don't remember how we started talking, but I know I was eyeing him because he looked fine and then he started eyeing me.
He left Jamaica a few weeks after we started talking and the first time I saw him with the friend was also the last. We were having a long distance relationship even though we were not that far away from each other.
When he left Jamaica, it was almost the same. Except, I was the only one calling him. He claimed he didn't want to run up his step mother's bill.
I didn't mind though.
One day I went on WhatsApp, where we communicated and he had some girl's picture as is profile. I asked about it, he asked me how long as it been there and told me he doesn't know how it got there.
We broke up after seven months. I later found out the girl was his girlfriend.
The last conversation we had was over three years ago. So, if I am getting this correct, it took him that long to realize he lost his contacts!
I have reached out to people after a while, so in no way am I saying it's bad or good, but the justification doesn't make sense to me.
~
I called Camalia to talk about the situation. She is the relationship expert of our group even though she doesn't have a man.
It seems she answered the phone accidentally though. Before I could say a word, I saw Ronnie and her kissing.
I hanged up the phone.
I felt sick to my stomach. How could she do that? Is that the reason why she didn't want me to let him in?, was she with him when I didn't see her at the house?
I have too many questions, but the most important one is, why does it matter?
He already told me he had a girlfriend, but then he showed up at my apartment! Now he is kissing my friend. Camalia at that, it seems personal.
I called Catherine, knowing all she would do was listen. I gave hints about the situation, because I did't want to create a weird vibe between the three of us, but it was bugging me.
I spilled it all a couple minutes after and I couldn't stop myself. Catherine assured I should talk to her about it.
I knew that was a bad idea. Yet it was the only way.
*Phone ringing*
"Hey Promise what's up?"
"Nothing much, I want to ask you something"
"Sure, go ahead"
"Are you and Ronnie seeing each other?"
"What kind of question is that"
"The kind I would like an answer for"
"Why would you ask me that?"
"Yes or no"
"No"
"Okay" I responded as I cut off the phone and sent her the screenshot that I took when I called the first time.
"Where did you get that?"
Clearly she was more concerned about the fact that I have her on picture than the actual situation.
I've heard the saying, "expect the best and prepare for the worst" on many occasions, but I was not prepared for this.
I guess it's the same reason why Sam and some other people reach out to me after so long. I knew Ronnie for years and I never gave him a chance but it cuts me up inside when I see someone else with him.
I ignored Camalia for six months before I took her call. Not surprised that she is still calling because I couldn't care less.
The only reason why I accepted the call, was because I was in a better place to hear her out.
"Hey Promise, I know you don't want to talk to me"
"Right"
"I also know that you've been ignoring me"
"Also right, someone's on a role"
" I just want to say, I am sorry that you had to find out like this. I was going to tell you"
" You know what, I'm not even mad, I am just disappointed. I would never believe that the person who said she would never accept something like this from a friend, did it to me. I't all good still, I wish you all the best".
"What does this mean for us?"
"Us? You sure weren't thinking about us when you were introducing your face to his"
"Promise!"
"What? I forgive you, but I don't trust you anymore and I don't know if I want to, so let's not waste our time"
"Okay, but I am here if you ever change your mind"
"Don't bet on it" I said as I hanged up the phone.
~
I haven't cried one tears during this process. I believe the more something hurts, the more I numb and the less I cry.
Usually, I would be trying to figure things out, but a part of me is tired of always trying to fix everything and for once in my life, I'm going to allow it to fall apart.
Maybe I will text Sam and hear what he is about. I can always delete his number if our energy is off. After all, it's been years so most likely we won't connect.
What's the worst that can happen?We already stopped talking for a long time, I can go back to that.
But for now, I'm done being a bridge.