Whitman River

by Maeve Ashfeld

  “I’ve literally never met your mother.”

  “Yeah, but she misses hearing about us. About you… Don’t you miss me?”

  “I miss my couch.”

  “Yeah. Well, listen. Why don’t we get some drinks?”

  “I’m not thirsty.”

  “Dinner?”

  “We’re making lasagna.”

  “I love lasagna.”

  “You’re not welcome,” Jody said as she disappeared into the house again.

  “She the man of the house?”

  “What do you want?”

  “I don’t know what I want. I’m a mess. I’ve done nothing but sit around all day since you left me.”

  “You broke it off, remember?”

  “I know. It was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.”

  Glenna’s stomach lurched. Albert squeezed her shoulder.

  “Can we go to lunch tomorrow? As friends?”

  “We’re not friends.”

  “As old friends?”

  Glenna studied Albert's eyes “I guess. But what do we have to talk about?”

  “Whatever you want.”

  “Okay, I’ll coordinate with Jody. She’s the meal planner and we just bought-”

  “So what’s the deal with you two?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re playing house and getting all chummy.”

  “She’s been my best friend for years.”

  “Just friends? I’d swear you were a couple.”

  “Well, we’re not. So what if we were?”

  “That’s on you. Although, I didn’t think that vegetarians could eat fish.”

  Glenna chuckled and Albert laughed. The trunk slammed shut and echoed through the trees. Glenna and Albert both jumped and turned to see Jody by the back of the car.

  “That’s the last of it,” Jody stormed off to the house.

  “I gotta go.”

  “Okay. Lunch tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  Glenna followed Jody inside and gently closed the door. She watched Albert’s car pull off. Her heart was still pounding from seeing him.

  Or was it from the trunk slamming?

  She looked over at Jody. She was chopping mushrooms like a mad man.

  She walked over.“You okay?”

  “I’m fine. Just frustrated. I don’t trust him.”

  “I get it. He came out of nowhere. He should have made sure it was okay before coming to our house.”

  “It’s our house, now?”

  “Of course. We live here, don’t we?” Glenna smiled.

  “You live here and I’m a guest.”

  “I guess you're technically right. It’s not like we're a couple. But, I mean, it’s still ours. It has been for at least two months.”

  “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

  “Why?”

  “My vacation’s over.”

  “What? Is this about Albert?”

  “I don’t care about Albert. This is about us. You and me.”

  “What about us?”

  Jody put down the knife and looked at Glenna. “Is there an us?”

  “I mean, yeah. We’re best friends forever. There will always been an us.”

  “More than that.”

  Glenna looked puzzled.

  “I love you, Glenna. I’m in love with you and have been for years. But I can’t have you stringing me along like this. It hurts that I’m dangling on the edge. Waiting for you to tell me how you feel. Tell me you feel nothing.”

  “I feel everything with you.”

  “Then be with me.”

  “I can’t.’

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You do. You just can’t tell me.”

  Both of them stood in the kitchen for what felt like an eternity.

  “Listen, I can’t do this anymore. I’m leaving now.” Jody packed her things and loaded the car. She came back inside and hugged Glenna.

  “I love you more than anything. You’re still my best friend.”

  “Where will you go? Your lease is up.”

  “I’ll just rent a van.”

  “That’s stupid.”

  Jody clenched her jaw.

  “No, I didn’t mean stupid. It's just that you have your room and everything here.”

  Jody placed the house keys in Glenna’s hands.

  “Let me know how Merlin is, okay?”

  She kissed Glenna on the cheek and left.

  The Applause

  “Ma’am, have you settled on your appetizer?”

  Glenna shook her head, “No, I’m still waiting on someone.”

  “Okay,” the waiter nodded. He filled her glass with water and walked away.

  I feel like an idiot.

  Glenna checked her phone for what felt like the fiftieth time. She’d travelled well over an hour to get to this restaurant. Let alone the time it took for her to get ready. She pulled at the hem of her skirt.

  I never wear red. What’s wrong with me??

  She took a sip of water.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting!”

  Those words frightened her and and made her spill water down the front of her shirt.

  “I’m so sorry, let me get that.” Albert picked up a napkin and started dabbing at her top. Glenna took the napkin.

  “I’ve got it, thanks. It’s my fault anyway.”

  She dabbed at the water. She managed to get most of it off but it left a very obvious we spot. Albert put a bouquet of roses on the table.

  “For you.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I want to start by saying I’ve gotten a new job!”

  “Really, where?”

  Zavian Industries?

  “Have you decided on your appetizer?” The waiter smiled at Glenna and waited patiently as they ordered. He brought the food back and placed it on their table. “Enjoy.”

  “Thanks,” Glenna said softly.

  They sat quietly for a while, picking at their food and commenting on how it tasted.

  “So,” Glenna started. “Where did you say you worked?”

  “Just some medical company. I’m basically a driver but I make good money. I told you my client lunches were meaningful.”

  Glenna swirled her water glass, “That’s good. I’m happy for you.”

  “So, how’s your day been?”

  “It’s been okay. I spent most of it getting ready to come here.”

  “Yeah, thanks for coming this way.”

  “I get it,” Glenna said, smiling. “There are barely any options in Woods County.”

  “I’m happy that Jody let you out of the house.”

  Glenna rolled her eyes. “Is this why you wanted me to come here? If you’re just going to gripe about my friend, I’m going to leave.”

  “No, sorry. I’m sorry.”

  What am I doing here?

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Can we please stop. I think we’re past that stage in our relationship.”

  Glenna felt her cheeks get hot. “You don’t get to talk about our relationship.” She wanted to keep quiet and stay to herself. But she had just reached the boiling point. “You left me when I needed you the most. You just left me hanging by a fucking thread when my father passed away. Do you know how hard that was? I had nobody, Albert. I thought I had you.”

  “Glenna, please. Lower your voice a little.”

  “No. No, you don’t tell me to lower my voice. You’ve always told me what to do.” Glenna stabbed at her plate with the fork. “Who do you think you are?”

  “I’m sorry, okay. There’s nothing I can do to change the things I’ve done.”

  “Sure.” Glenna used a napkin to catch the tear rolling down her cheek. She was angry and a little surprised at her outburst.

  “I know I’ve done a lot to break us down. I’m not the only part of this equation, though. It’s both of us. Our communication is crap. And I’m sorr
y.”

  Glenna stared down Albert. She wanted to push the table into his chest and knock him to the ground. But she couldn’t, because he was right. Communication had failed on both ends. They both played a part in the end.

  “Things could have been different, better.”

  “Eh,” Albert shrugged. “Even the gods aren’t perfect.” He reached for her hand and held it in his. “I know this relationship stuff is hard. But the difficult things are worth it.”

  “That’s just what old folks say so that they have an excuse for putting up with each other.” Glenna smirked.

  “The old people are right. I can’t wait to see what we’re like when we’re old people.”

  Glenna could feel herself start to full-on cry. She excused herself to the restroom to wipe her eyes.

  When Glenna came back from the restroom, Albert wasn't at the table. His food was boxed up and his drink was still there. But, he wasn't. Glenna rolled her eyes.

  “Of course.” She flagged down a waiter and asked for a box for her meal. Defeated, she plopped down in her chair and waited for the waiter to return.

  The waiter brought back a box and placed it on the table in front of her. She opened her plate and grabbed the box. When she was about to plop a spoonful of noodles inside, she noticed a smaller box.

  “Glenna?”

  Albert came from behind her and got down on one knee.

  “Albert… what are you doing?”

  Albert reached for the box and opened it up.

  “Will you be the apple to my orange?”

  Glenna’s cheeks tingled. She could feel the eyes of everyone in the restaurant. A few people started whispering. She heard some “Awwws.”

  Then, it stopped. They wanted to know what she would say.

  Is this for real?

  She looked into his eyes. It was the most sincere that he had ever looked. She reached down and grabbed him up in a hug. She squeezed him as tight as she could. He hugged her back.

  “Glenna?”

  “Haven’t we been here before?”

  “I never left.”

  She placed her hands on his cheeks and kissed him on the lips. Tears streamed down her face.

  “Babe? … So, does this mean yes?”

  “Yes,” Glenna chuckled. “This means yes.”

  The entire restaurant filled with applause.

  Glenna wiped the tears from her eyes and sat back in her chair.

  “Will you move back in with me?”

  “Yes. I just have to go back home and get some things.”

  “Spend the night with me tonight.”

  “You’re in a hurry.” Glenna chuckled. “Let me just call Jody and ask her to watch things for me.”

  “That won’t be necessary.”

  “What? Yes it is. What if Guthrie shows up with Merlin?”

  “Okay.”

  “I'm going to step outside. Do you have this or..?”

  “Yeah, I got it.” Albert opened his wallet and pulled out his credit card.

  Glenna walked out of the restaurant and stood on the corner.

  Jody was sitting in her car outside of Mr. Rob’s house. She was debating on whether or not to go inside. Her phone rang.

  Jody hesitated to answer when she saw Glenna’s name pop up. She answered and put the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

  “Jody, hey!”

  It was bittersweet to hear Glenna’s voice again.

  Jody took a deep breath, “When are you coming back home?”

  “About that, I need you to stay there for me for a few hours.”

  Here we go.

  “Why is that? You and Albert having problems? That’s the only time you ever call me, you know?”

  “Actually, we’re engaged.”

  “What? Again?” Jody sat up straight. She couldn’t believe it.

  “Yes!! He asked me a few minutes ago. I couldn’t wait to tell you. He wants me to move in with him.”

  Jody was stunned. She felt like she couldn’t move. The world was closing in around her. How could Glenna be this naive? That guy was a jerk.

  “Hello? You there?”

  “I’m here. How long do you need me to stay?”

  “Well, I should be home in a few hours to pack. After that, I don’t know. Until we get the place sold, I guess. So, you’ll do it?”

  “Sure.”

  “Aren’t you happy for me?”

  Jody could barely breathe. “I just want you to make the right decision.”

  “I am, I promise. Thank you for doing this.”

  “Yeah, you’re welcome. So, do you have a copy of the key laying around. I gave you mine yesterday, remember?”

  “Oh, shit. Can you break in? It’s a pretty old house. I’m sure the windows would be easy to-”

  “Yeah, I’ll try.”

  “Awesome. Thank you, thank you! I’m so excited.” Glenna squealed on the other end.

  “Yeah, okay. Bye Glenna.”

  “See you in a few!”

  Jody hung up and leaned back into the car seat.

  When she opened her eyes, she could just barely make out a dust cloud coming towards the house. It was Guthrie in her old truck. Jody hopped out to meet her.

  “Jody! What are you doing out here?”

  “I lost my key.”

  Guthrie paused, “Well, that’s a shame.”

  “You mentioned that you kept a spare?”

  “Oh, right. Right.” Guthrie flipped the keys on the ring and opened the door. “There ya go. I almost forgot I had it.”

  “Uh huh. Who’s that?”

  “Who?” Guthrie followed Jody’s gaze towards her truck. “Oh, that’s one of my helpers at the vet.”

  “I thought it was just you.”

  “It’s not!”

  Jody raised an eyebrow, “Are you okay? You seem a bit flustered-”

  “I’m fine. Just, she just needs a ride into town is all. Where’s Glenna?” Guthrie smiled at Jody, her eyes wide.

  “Oh, she went into town to grab lunch with her ex.”

  “Mm. Albert.”

  “Yeah, him. Anyway, I better go inside. This heat is killing me. I’m glad you came along. I probably would have roasted in that car.”

  “No problem, Jody.” Guthrie walked towards her truck. “I’ll see you later this evening? I have a surprise for you.”

  “Oh, that’d be cool. Yeah, see you.”

  Guthrie smiled and closed the truck door. She pulled off. Her friend in the front seat turned to watch Jody as they pulled away.

  The Lost Items

  It was weird being back at the apartment. It felt strange. But, she was happy to be there. Unfortunately, the heat and sun were getting to her.

  “Babe, do you have anything for headaches?”

  “Yeah, I didn't turn into an animal when you left. Check the medicine cabinet.”

  Glenna walked to the restroom and looked herself over in the mirror. She didn’t look too shabby. But, if they were going to have some fun she needed the headache to go away. She opened the medicine cabinet and poked around for some pill bottles.

  “You know-”

  Glenna jumped.

  “Sorry. You know, you could always take a nap. That may help.”

  “Yeah, sure. I’ll try that.” Glenna walked to the livingroom and lay on the couch.

  Albert brought her a blanket and she tried to get some rest. But, it wasn’t coming to her.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, can’t sleep. Maybe I need some of my meds after all.”