AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So, sweetie, tell me what happened.”
It took me three long breaths before I could say anything. “We broke up.”
She rested her chin in her hands. “And which one of you is we? Did he ask you to leave, or did you choose to?”
“I left.” The explanation was short and sweet, the feelings the word forced were not.
“Why? What did he do?”
I fiddled with my fork. “You’re right. These are a little soggy.”
“Stalling,” she singsonged.
“It’s not what he did—well, yes it is. It’s what he didn’t do. He didn’t tell me what he did do.” I sounded like a raving lunatic. “It’s over. That’s all there is to it.”
“You’re confusing me. This is the same man who was virtually perfect when you were telling me about him two weeks ago.”
I was confused as well. “Everybody can be fooled.”
“What did he not do that brought this on?” She said it like I had a cold I could get over.
“He got me into school.” I listed the recommendation letter, the promise of money to the school that implied a bribe to get me in, and the scholarship targeted at me. Then I took a breath.
Gwen raised her eyebrows. “All this is about Columbia?”
I nodded and sipped my drink.
“Do you feel like shredding your diploma?” she asked. “I mean, he did all the work, so it’s not really yours.”
“I see what you’re doing, and it won’t work.”
“What is that? Pointing out that being accepted is only the first step to graduating? You did all the rest.”
“I know that,” I shot back. “I don’t need a devil’s advocate here, and he is the devil.”
“He’s the devil because he helped you.”
“You’re twisting my words. It’s not like I’m complaining that he opened a door for me or pulled out my chair.”
“Or stared down a gang of armed hoodlums to keep you from being raped in your own apartment building.”
I’d forgotten I’d told her that. “That was nice. But it doesn’t change the other stuff.”
She pushed her plate to the side. “Now that you’re free of this devil, you must feel better. So why did you get drunk last night? The truth now.”
I’d known the truth since the moment I opened the bottle. “I felt so bad, I wanted to forget it all. Stop feeling.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere. You certainly didn’t feel good. What did you feel bad about?”
I pushed my plate away. “I think we’re done.”
“Maybe because you threw away something good?”
“So now it’s my fault, and you’re trying to convince me I did something wrong?”
She reached across the table for my hand. “Of course not, sweetie. He’s responsible for what he did, or didn’t do. But…”
I waited for theyou’re a dumbasscomment, but it didn’t come.
