"My MaRiLyn..."

18.

"I got fired and it's the only job that I've ever had that payed me well. Now I won't be able to pay my rent in time. I won't pay my rent at all in fact!" Ciara says to me upset.

"I don't know what to do,Tim," she says to me again. I deeply sigh and put a smile on my face.

"Well, you don't know me at all but you decided to come and express your hurt to me. That's something grand. I feel honoured,Ciara," I honestly say to her.

She chuckles,

"I wanted to hear something that will make me feel better but I suppose that will help too,thanks."

Her sarcasm is humorous. I laugh.

"Okay,well,you'll find another job in no time. You will get paid well than before and you'll be happy," I say to her. She looks me right in the eyes and smiles.

"I hope so but thank you. I will figure something out and be happy like you've said," she replies. I nod.

Silence.

Here we are eating the fast food Ciara brought and its Midnight now. We are talking and laughing about the most serious issues concerning this neighbourhood that I know nothing about but she's enlightening me. We laugh and talk about Baba, we talk about his mood swings and Ciara awakens me more as she says,

"He's my uncle. He always wants to get involved with my life but I cut him off. He won't let me do whatever I want when I want. He still thinks I'm a sixteen year old just living in a 24 year olds body."

I chuckle.

"I didn't know you guys were related. You two are so... Distant," I say to her and she sighs out of frustration.

"Yeah,whatever," Ciara responds and takes a bite out of the McDonald's fried chicken. I just stare at her and shake my head in disbelief.

"So Ciara,tell me something about Marilyn," I excitedly blurt out.

She rolls her eyes at my suggestion and my smile fades.

"Did I say anything wrong?"

"Obviously but it's cool. I'll tell you about your soul mate," she outlines sarcastically.

"She is married and she's not my soul mate," I respond.

I know she's my soul mate but I've got to play it real cool.

"Well, Marilyn is the most perfect neighbor. She's the most perfect wife, mother, friend and of course, most perfect woman. She is everything every man looks for in a woman but beyond that smile and those kaleidoscopic eyes lies a hypothetical maniac. I know she isn't what everybody thinks she is," Ciara comes out bitterly.

"Hypothetical? Maniac? Where is this all coming from? Aren't you girls friends?" I ask in concern.

Ciara does nothing but laugh at my question.

"Tim,I'm not friends with anybody. Most importantly,I'm not friends with the best people of the world because they are crazy," she says with a laugh.

I'm in awe. Ciara is different from Marilyn and Marilyn from her. I don't want to listen to what Ciara's just said about Mari because only I,her creator,know who she is.