Unexpected turn on friendship - Sharon X Sheila

Chapter twelve: Unexpected apology

-Monday afternoon, the kids just got home from school not long ago, as did Sharon and Sheila from work. Sharon is sitting on the couch social media surfing-

Sharon: Awww! Hey, Sheila! Come see this cute cat!

-Sheila comes behind Sharon-

Sheila: Aww, how adorable! Oh, you got a text from Randy.

Sharon: Huh?

-Sharon opens the message from Randy. It's quite a long message; It reads:

"Hey, Sharon.
I know you want nothing to do with me, but just please read this message.
I'm really sorry for how I've treated you... you and Sheila both. I shouldn't have told everyone about you two, and then acted like a total dick to you afterwards.
I don't expect us to be super friendly after reading this... but I hope we can just be on good terms.
Now you probably think I want something out of this, but I promise you I don't. I just needed to apologise for how awful I was to you.
-Randy"

Sharon read it aloud for Sheila to hear what the message said-

Sharon: Well, I don't really know how to feel.

Sheila: Are you going to say something back?

Sharon: What to say, though..

-Sharon stared at her phone screen for a short while, tapping her nails on the sides of the phone-

Sharon: Should I say something like, "Thanks, appreciate your apology." Uhh-

-There was a knock at the door-

Sheila: I'll get it.

-Sheila opens the door to see Randy. He looked like he was about to cry, but he held it together-

Randy: Sheila, hi. Sorry for this... I know you probably want to slam the door in my face. I just need Sharon for a minute, but I understand if she doesn't want to see me...

Sharon: Randy.

Randy: Sh-Sharon, hey- uh, sorry for being here, but did you get my message?

Sharon: Mhm. Was just about to respond to it.

Randy: Oh, great!

Sharon: Not that I really care, but are you ok? You seem upset.

Randy: It's nothing... just going through something, don't worry about it. Anyways, about the message...

Sharon: I didn't really know how to respond... I still kinda don't.

Randy: Just know that you don't have to forgive me, I don't expect you to.

Sharon: Can you just give me a minute to think...alone?

Randy: Yeah, of course.

-Sharon goes into the kitchen-

Sheila: Sorry, this is probably an awkward time to ask this... but how's you and Gerald living on the farm going?

Randy: Well it's...not really going exactly...

Sheila: What do you mean?

-Randy let's out a sigh, then he pinches the bridge of his nose and looks down-

Sheila: Did something happen?

-Randy contains himself from tearing up to look at Sheila-

Randy: Long story short, Gerald and I had a bit of a falling out. I had to sell the farm and move into an apartment in Denver due to money. And Gerald is god knows where now.

Sheila: Oh! Well, I'm sorry to hear that.

Randy: And if you're worried about Gerald, don't worry, I'm sure he's doing ok. Probably alot better than I am...

Sheila: Well, I hope so...

-Sharon comes back into the living room-

Randy: Hey again. Look, don't worry about the message, you don't have to say anything-

Sharon: Well, I appreciate the
message. Thank you for the apology... it might be a while till I fully forgive you, but I think we can be on somewhat friendly terms.

Randy: Really? Oh, Sharon, thank you!

-Randy walks over to Sharon and hugs her with tears in his eyes. Sharon confused, hugs him back awkwardly-

Sharon: Uh, yeah, no problem...

Randy: I should probably go now, but it was great to see you again, in a more friendly way, that is.

Sharon: Well, take care then.

-Randy leaves-

Sharon: That went...well.

Sheila: Yeah, I guess...

Sharon: You guess? Did you two talk about something I should know about?

Sheila: I don't want to worry you, but...

Sharon: Sheila.

Sheila: He and Gerald had a bit of a disagreement, I suppose. So Randy had to sell the farm due to money. Now, he lives somewhere in Denver. Gerald, on the other hand, I'm not sure where he is...

Sharon: Really? Well, that's unfortunate.

Sheila: And I know I shouldn't say this because he's your ex, and he was nothing but an asshole to us... but I kind of feel bad for him.

Sharon: Why's that?

Sheila: He doesn't seem to be doing all that well...I'm kind of worried for him.

Sharon: Well, if you're worried about Randy, maybe I should be too? Maybe I'll check up on him later in the week. He did apologise for acting how he did, and seemed quite understanding... Maybe I should just make sure he's not in trouble.

Sheila: That sounds like a good idea. Would you want me there as well?

Sharon: Thanks, but I think I would just want to do it alone. He is my ex-husband of what, like 20+ years? I think I'm the only one who can really understand him, maybe help him even...if he needs it.

Sheila: Of course, of course.