Olivia

Chapter 24

It's mid week, and I have been avoiding Gladys, and Olivia seems to be mad at me. Ever since Saturday night, she's been avoiding me. I feel terrible, but I don't know how to reach out to her.
I feel lonely on so many levels. I miss my best friend, things aren't great between Phillip and I, and Olivia is mad at me.

Phillip wants to make love in the nighttime, but I'm losing interest. Each time is like the one before. There is nothing new, plus, he doesn't satisfy me. I try to talk to him about it, but he gets upset.

I pick up the ringing phone. I might as well hear my best friend.

"Hi, Gee."

"Come downstairs. I'm outside your workplace. No more avoiding me. We need to talk."

Uh-oh.

"I wasn't avoiding you, silly. I've just been busy."

"Don't dig your hole any bigger, Mo. You have always been busy, and I have always still been able to see you."

I have no response to that, so I end the call and pack my things. I drive behind her to a nearby park.We sit next to each other, sharing a park bench. 

"Spill!"

I laugh at her, "spill, what?"

"Don't play stupid with me, Mo. What was that all about? I was waiting for you to say something. The fact that you haven't only confirms my suspicions."

"What suspicions? What are you talking about?"

"You can be so difficult at times, Mo. I'm talking about that kiss...what's going on?"

"Nothing! You dared her, and she did it."

"Ok, look at me,"

I do, and she points to her forehead, "stupid isn't stamped over here, Mo. Yes, I dared her, but there was something more."

I might as well give up the act. This is my best friend.

I play with my fingers, "I don't know, Gee."

With my head bent a little forward, I look at her from underneath.

Her eyes go wide, "oh my goodness! That's why you got mad at me that day when I said don't go catching feelings! Mo! What are you doing?"

"I know, I know. Gee, it's not like that. It's not like I planned this or wanted this. There is just something about her that gets to me. I have been fighting myself. I don't want to feel anything for her, I'm a married woman, but I do..."

Gladys covers her mouth with her hand, "what the hell do you plan on doing?"

"I don't even know," then I whisper, "plus, she is mad at me."

"Mad at you? For what? What did you do?"

"Saturday night, we kinda argued, and...you know..."

"No, I really don't. Why don't you fill me in?"

I spend the next hour getting everything off my chest to my friend. She doesn't exactly have the solution, but she is my comforter.