Robbery in Progress

Fourteen

Before I knew it, it had been four days without hearing from Derek. I was worried but also mad. If something was wrong, I would've heard about it by now. It just bothered me that he hadn't tried to contact me. I remembered what Paul said and figured Derek was just busy with work. I mean, it was a fairly new job for him and he was more than likely just trying to make a good impression. I knew he loved cooking and since he couldn't face doing that anymore, this job was the next best thing. I knew it meant a lot to him.

I didn't have to work and so I spent the day on the couch, lounging in some yoga pants and an old t-shirt from the basketball game between our station and the local fire station a few years back. I tried to get my mind off of Derek, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't. I was mad. Even if he was busy, I deserved at least a text saying that. At the very least, I deserved a text saying he was busy and would call later. I deserved that. The more I thought about it, the more heated I got. I took my legs off the coffee table and planted them back on the floor in front of the couch, picked up my phone from the table, and called him.

*ring ring*

Of course, no answer. I called him right back.

"Hello?"

"Derek..." When he answered, I didn't have any idea what to say. I took in a deep breath.

"Hello? Jen?"

"Derek, what's up?" I sounded like a teenager.

"I'm at home, why?"

"Oh, I just hadn't heard from you in a few days. I just wanted to check on you and make sure everything was okay."

"Everything is fine."

"Okay." There was a pause in our conversation. "I have the day off. Would you want to come over for a couple of hours?" There was another pause.

"Sure. I'll be there soon." He hung up and I laid my phone back down. Derek was still acting so strange and I was tired of it. I wanted to know what was wrong and why my boyfriend wasn't talking to me. When he got there, I had to ask.

"Derek?"

"Yeah?"

"I need to know something."

"What?"

"Why have you been acting so strange?"

"What do you mean?"

"You haven't called or even text me in four days. I know how much this new job means to you and that you have probably just been busy with work, but I deserve to at least have my boyfriend pick up his phone and send me a quick text."

"Jen, I've been so busy. I just haven't had time to spend with you lately." He snapped. I stared at him, infuriated that he thinks it would take too much of his time to message me.

"Derek, I know you've been busy, but don't I at least deserve a text?"

"I didn't see any reason to text you if I couldn't spend time with you." I rose from my seat on the couch.

"Are you kidding me right now?" He stood.

"Jen, calm down."

"No, Derek, I will not calm down."

"You're being ridiculous."

"I'm being ridiculous?!?! You are! You have acted like you are this great guy that genuinely cares about me but clearly, you don't think much about me since this is the first time in four days that I have heard from you! The last time I talked to you was to tell you that Paul, his wife, and daughter invited the two of us over for dinner and even then you were rude and short with me. I will not put up with this."

"That's probably why your last boyfriend cheated on you!" There was a look of instant regret come across his face.

"Get out!" I pointed my finger at the door.

"Jen, wait...I'm sorry...I shouldn't have said that."

"I said get out!" I shoved him back. Derek slammed the door on his way out.