The Gemini

14 - Acknowledge Me

October 28, 1988

Jody didn't slam the phone onto its cradle but she wanted to. It's been five days since she last heard from or seen Roger. In her messages she voiced concern about the music and questioned what they were gonna do next. What she really wanted to say was that she missed him.

I just find it funny how you go from chasing me around the city to ignoring my existence. That was the message that she was about to make twenty minutes ago until the better part of her mind overrode the bitter impulse. It told her to grab her keys and go for a drive instead.

She didn't have a valid reason to be mad, but she had grown used to his pestering. As twisted as it sounds Jody missed the times when he would call or show up unannounced. She was almost certain that she wasnt being followed anymore. Knowing that he was there somewhere watching was oddly comforting. The need for attention was one hell of a drug.

Jody didn't even know when the casual interest progressed into a want. Constantly she wondered why because it wasn't like he exhibited any action worthy of these feelings. No chivalrous acts, no doting gestures. He only played mind games and induced nightmares. Well used to, the nightmares had stopped. Still there was something about him.

Sitting at a red light, Jody began a session of mental reasoning.

Underneath that mask has to be a soul. Surely he cant be all bad.

What aided the pull of attraction was the way he took initiative. He went after what he wanted.

That's admirable, right? Ambition?

He did leave her a letter that night.

Still doesn't excuse him from not calling me back.

That voice of his. When he spoke it warmed her in the best way. When it came in a song it wrapped her in a daze. In that haze Jody's mind drifted to a place where she imagined only they two existed in a world of their creation. Things were still flowing smoothly at the club. With every play of the songs came more buzz, it gave her an addictive high that she quickly decided she never wanted to go without. Jody wanted more and she knew that he could give it to her.

What could we do together?

A honking horn broke her musings. Snapping to, she saw the light was green and drove on.

A taste for brownie ice cream led her now to the nearest grocer. She woke up this morning feening for the gooey chocolate treat. Usually she would have to hold off until payday to indulge in such luxury but now that she was rolling around – well more like splashing around because it was only an additional hundred bucks – in extra dough Jody could fulfil her desires when she wanted.

So was she saving money and paying up on her bills like a responsible young adult? Not exactly but she was trying. Her eyes continued to be bigger than her wallet. So far the only splurges have been on food that shes always wanted but her budget couldn't afford and the pair of sunglasses she currently wore. They resembled more of John Lennon than Dwayne Wayne but she loved them just the same.

On from the market, she rode around with the radio blasting a mixtape while she ate the cold dessert with a plastic spork. Pure elation.

"If only life could always be this simple." She wished sticking another sporkful in her mouth.

If she were living in the lap of luxury it would.

Enough of wanting. I need to have.

And she meant all of everything. Even though Jody wasnt a diamonds type of girl she would gladly take them and put it with the rest of the gold that she would be dripping in. Furs and silks. Leathers and lace. New outfits everyday, she wouldn't know the definition of repeat. All her life she had a lavish tongue but not the means for it. Her highest of hopes willed her to believe that that was gonna change soon.