Dinner went well. We laughed and talked like we were old friends. We were on our way home.
I smile whenever I think of what Jeff said about John when they had a meeting with Mr. Harvey. It was definitely hilarious.
I can vividly imagine the scene. Jeff made sure to tell it to me in great detail.
"Mr. Harvey, I am John Hale. I graduated summa cum laude on a 100% academic scholarship from the Language International University. I majored in five different languages. I graduated ahead of my class since I was promoted twice in my high school. I came from a family of linguistic scholars that learning different languages is just a piece of cake for me." came his lengthy self introduction. "It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. I am looking forward to working with you." and extended his hand towards Mr. Harvey.
"Hey! That sounded like the same introduction he made to Ericka." I exclaimed.
"Good memory, Shorty." Ed said while patting me on my head.
"How did he respond?" I asked excitedly.
"He just grunted. Like how he responded to Ms. Maureen, remember that? That's it." Jeff said with a laugh.
Jeff said that they all felt awkward and embarrassed for John since it took a while before Mr. Harvey responded.
"When he looked up and saw John's hand extended for a handshake, he looked really confused. As if he never had to do a handshake before." Ed added.
"It made it all the more awkward I guess." I said quietly. I may dislike John but I would never wish for him to be harmed or humiliated in any way.
"Right on, Lena. I saw his face going pale. I think it was the first time that his introduction did not impress someone." Jeff said.
"Second time." I argued. When they looked at me with questioning eyes, I immediately added, "that is how he introduced himself to Ericka, right? And I think he just received a 'hmmm' in response to his speech."
"That's right." Jeff said.
"After that, the meeting with Mr. Harvey went smoothly. John kept quiet the entire time that Mr. Harvey was speaking." Jeff ended the recap. "What about you? How did it go with Ms. Jennifer?"
I kept quiet. Debating whether I should tell them what has transpired between me and Ericka. I already have Ed worrying about that being watched feeling. I do not want to add up to it.
I felt a warm hand covering mine, when I looked up, Ed said, "Out with it, shorty. Every single detail. Don't even think that you can keep secrets from us." Jeff nodded.
I proceeded in recounting the conversation that I had with Ericka. I saw Ed's scowl going darker as I recounted everything while Jeff was just quietly listening.
"No matter how I think about it, I can't even begin to understand why she hates me so much." I lamented. Trying to make sense of something that for me is senseless.
Both men were looking at me incredulously. Which made me pause, "What did I say? Did I say something wrong?" I asked
"You do not know why she hates you??" Ed asked. I just nodded. "Pea brained woman." he muttered.
"Look, if you both know something, why don't you enlighten this pea brained woman!" with sarcasm dripping from my voice. Why can't he just get on to it? Why does he have to throw insults where it is not wanted nor needed.
This egotistical ogre!
"A fool that's what you are!" he muttered and just looked out of the window. I rolled my eyes at him since I can not even begin to express in words how pissed I was at him.
"She hates you because you are you." Jeff quietly explained. When he saw my confused face, he added "You are everything that a woman can hope to be. Beautiful, graceful, smart, fun, quietly confident, knows what you want. And most especially, you have a great figure." he added.
Ed looked at him sharply. "Compliment buddy, it was meant as a compliment for a friend and nothing else. I am willing to be Lena's brother if she wants to have me."
It made me really happy. But his words made me pause.
Beautiful and smart. I was always told that. I never really believed it. Graceful? I highly doubt that. Confident, this was just make pretend. I am not confident at all. Great figure? I don't think so. I was thinner before but I filled out in some areas. Maybe they consider my fat body as great. Men!
"You have this sweet innocence and naivety, Helena, that draws people towards you. It make people want to protect you. What Jeff said earlier, Ericka also has it from other people's perspective. But what she can never emulate is your innocence." Ed said quietly.
"That is something that she can never, ever have." he added. "The innocence of someone who is untainted by the evil of this world."
Jeff nodded and added "That is why I liked you from the very beginning. You are very refreshing for people like us. Jaded and cynical."
"Well, I am not innocent." I said. I had a physical relationship before.
"I am not referring to your sexual experience, Helena. I don't care as to how many men you slept with before. What I was referring at is the innocence of your mind, heart and soul." Ed snarled. "You dummy."
"What Ed is trying to tell you, Lena is that, even with what Ericka did and said to you earlier, you will never wish her ill or harm right? You won't even think of doing something to cause her trouble." Jeff clarified. "I would bet all the money that I have that you are even hoping that she was just joking about making trouble for you."
He was right. I never wished for Ericka to be harmed in any way. Wishing someone bad luck or harm is just not right.
I really do wish that Ericka was just joking about the trouble coming my way.