Obvious

Chapter Nine

            “Ronnie told me what you said.”  Jordon was solemn.  “Thanks man.  She’s been opening up a lot more to me.”

            “Welcome.”

            “Since when are you the love guru in this household?”  He joked.

            “Fuck off.  If I was anything good with love, I would have the woman of my dreams sitting next to me right now.”  This was the first time Ronnie didn’t come to mind.  This time, a shadowy woman, one I couldn’t make out the details on, except for a small back tattoo, sat next to me.

            “Have you talked to Sam?”

            “Do you ever mind your own business?”

            “I’ll take that as a no.  What I don’t understand is why you don’t want to admit these feelings.”

            “Why complicate things with feelings?”

            “You’re complicating things by not saying a damn thing!”

            I stood up quickly.  “You know if I wanted to be belittled I would have just gone to your room and listen to your girlfriend tell me how horrible I am of a person for fucking avoiding her!”

            “There’s no fucking need to bring her into this!”

            “Fine!  You wanna know the fucking truth?!”  I pointed my finger directly at his face.  “I’m not ready to turn in to a fucking spineless bitch like you.  Every time she’s around, you melt at her feet!  I’d like to keep some of my dignity intact.”

            “You think I’m spineless?!  Turn into a puddle at her every beck and call?!  That’s far from it.  And if you even entertain those thoughts, then I can tell you that I completely agree.  You need to learn to grow up!  I love her!  Something you obviously don’t understand.”

            “No woman is ever going to change me!”  My voice shook.

            “If you think you won’t change for the woman of your dreams then you’ve got another thing coming.  Either that or you ain’t going to find a woman that will put up with your shit for very long!  Do you think Sam is that way?!  That she’s not going to like you for you are?!  Well, you might be right if you keep acting like this.”

            “NO, I’m saying all women are the same.  They bat their eyelashes and the guy comes running.  I’m not going to be some push over for her to walk all over!”

            “You’re afraid of being vulnerable.”  Jordon’s voice calmed slightly, though his face remained emotionless.

            The words slipped out like vomit.  “I don’t like Sam!”

            In response, Jordon’s eyes slipped past me, towards the threshold where someone stood.  It was in that moment that I realized he knew all along she was standing behind me.  That he had purposely cornered me.  I turned around to see a teary eyed Sam, her mouth hung slightly agape.

            “…Sam…” My voice cracked.

            She spun on her heel and ran.  I took off after her.  Jordon’s voice echoing in my head.  “Good luck on the other side.”