Stranger at My Door

CH13: Ana

CH13 Ana

Seattle, WA Saturday afternoon

As soon as my friends come out of the shop, they start their banter; I decide to stay quiet while they go at it on our way to Kate’s Audi.

Tina starts with a simple question, “what in the world happen to her?” – News flash ‘her’ is standing right here. It is irritating how they talk as if I am not walking step by step with them.

“She is sick.” Kate answers and puts her hand against my forehead. “Are you sick? Really, I think we need to take you to a hospital!” – Over reacting much? I shake my head and continue looking at my shoes as I walk between them.

“No, she doesn’t. She is taking something. What are you taking, uppers or downers? May be both” – oh please, Tina knows me better than that, doesn’t she?

“Don’t be silly, Tina, Annie doesn’t take that shit. Do you Annie?” – Kate has not called me ‘Annie’ for years now, she must really be worried.

We arrive at the garage and I settle in the backseat; I want to be alone. It is not until Tina talks again that I notice she is seating in the back seat as well “You know you are much too skinny, are you taking something to stay thin? That’s not healthy -” and she goes on and on about stories Tiffany tells her of how her model friends take laxatives and drugs to stay thin.

“That’s it, I am taking you to the E.R. and maybe they pump your stomach!” Kate interrupts Tina’s story with an authoritative voice.

“I want to go home.” I grumble; my defenses are low, I have had enough. They are quiet, waiting for my next complaint.

When Kate realizes I am not saying anymore she continues. “Are you sleeping? Sleep deprivation makes people act weird…”

“I saw him with her.” I think out loud, I did not mean to say it but it escapes uninvited and unwelcomed. I hate pity and now my friends are going to pity me.

“Saw who with whom?”

“Hush Tina. She is talking. It is the most we have gotten out of her.”

I sob into my hands wiping the tears that I have fought so hard to keep inside me; they are flowing freely now.

“Moneybags! You saw moneybags with the flavor of the weekend?”

“I do not want to talk about it!” I sulk into my scarf and cover my face.  At this moment I understand Ostriches: ‘hide the face in the sand and the world goes away.’

“Who the fuck is Moneybags?” Tina’s voice is high and irritated.

“Christian Grey. C’man stay with the program-” Kate is interrupted by a call.

“How is my honey bunny?” Elliot’s sexy voice reverberates through the car.

“You are on speaker, and your brother is an asshole!”

Elliot’s laugh is deep and satisfying. “Yes, he definitely is; care to enlighten me why.”

“He is a two timing asshole and I will cut his balls on the first occasion I get. Ana is a great catch; he should count himself lucky he got to know her. Instead he throws her to the side like an old newspaper!”

I start to sob again as Tina states the obvious: “Kate, Ana is right here. She can hear you!”

“I suppose it is a negative for us to get together tonight.” A tone of disappointment is obvious in his voice.