Chapter 13
Melanie
It’s just before noon on Monday. Our department meeting wrapped up late so I’m in a hurry to get back to my office. Mary, one of the Math teachers at the high school I work at, stops me. She’s a talker and I don’t have time to deal with her. She also likes to play matchmaker. Before I knew better I agreed to go out with her nephew. Big mistake. So now I tell her I don’t do blind dates. But she keeps trying. My phone buzzes and I anticipate it’s Lucy. Instead it’s a text from Brett, which is unusual. He never texts me during the day and especially so soon after we saw one another.
“Sorry,” I say to Mary. “I need to deal with this. Parent issues.”
At least he gave me an excuse to get out of talking to her. I glance at his text.
Brett: started seeing someone recently. had the talk last nite & we r going exclusive. we’ll need 2 chill 4 awhile. sorry.
Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. It pisses me off that he was seeing this girl when he came over the other night. Maybe that’s why he didn’t respond to my text right away. His conscience obviously didn’t win out. I debate whether or not to respond when I get another text. This time from Lucy.
Lucy: Running late. Call you in 5.
As long as I have a few extra minutes I decide I should text Brett back. I don’t want him to think I’m bitter. And I should keep a door open in case things don’t work out. What can I say? He’s good in bed.
Me: Happy 4 u. but don’t ever want to be the other girl again.
There. It says I’m glad you’ve found someone but don’t ever put me in a position where I’m the other woman. Nice but assertive. I head back to my office to eat my lunch but now I’ve lost my appetite. Brett was supposed to be my fallback. At least I’ll always have Lucy. She texted me she had an amazing weekend and would call me with details during lunch. She knows it’s the only break I have during the day. I’m a social worker and with all the issues kids have these days my schedule is full.
My phone rings a few minutes later and it’s her. I attempt to make my voice sound chipper when I answer.
“Hi. I’ve been waiting for your call.”
“Sorry. My meeting ran a few minutes late.”
“That’s OK. Spill.”
“Where do I start? Remember that guy I used to run into at Starbucks? The one I had a crush on?”
“Uh, huh.”
“That’s who Trish picked. He happened to be at the same bar as us.”
“Wow. That’s a coincidence.”
“You forget who you’re talking to. I don’t believe in coincidences. Anyway, he took me to this jazz club because I was nervous about our arrangement.”
“Wait. He knew about it?”
“Yeah. Trish wasn’t so subtle. She told him the deal and how she picked him. He wanted to know what I thought, so I told him I’d agree to it as long as we kept things anonymous.”
“What do you mean?”
“We never exchanged names or any personal details.”
“OK. So get to the good stuff.”
“We spent a lot of time talking and getting to know each other. Then he came over and spent the night. Our chemistry was off-the-charts. He said he wanted to make it a weekend thing. So we did.”
“Lucy Chalmers. You go girl! How was the sex?”
“Amazing. I never knew it could be like that. At first I thought he was cocky, but the more I got to know him I realized it’s kind of a front. He’s sensitive and caring and everything I’ve ever wanted in a man and more. I told him about my history and he didn’t run. So I guess that’s a good sign.”
“Wait. You told him about your past?”
“Uh huh. I know, it’s crazy, right? I shared stuff with him I never tell anyone. Except you, of course.”
“So this is more than just sex? It sounds as though you’re into him.” I cross the room to look out the window to see if Sandra, my next appointment, is approaching.
“I am. I’m crazy about him. One hundred percent certifiably crazy.”
“OMG. This is huge!” I can’t believe it.
“Wait. I just got a weird text from you.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. I don’t want to be the other girl?”
“Oh. That was meant for Brett. You texted right after him so I must’ve replied to you by mistake. I sent it before you called, but we have terrible WiFi. It must’ve just gone through.”
“What’s going on?”
“Brett’s seeing someone and things are getting serious. So he wanted to warn me there won’t be any more late night booty calls. He was just over on Saturday night so I’m pissed. He was obviously seeing her then.”
“I’m sorry. Why do guys do that?”
“They want to keep their options open. I was his backburner.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. Story of my life. I thought he was mine. But turns out I was his. Backburner, I mean.”
“You OK?”
“Yeah. Sorry to be such a downer. You were telling me about your amazing weekend. I’m so happy for you, Luce. I really am. You deserve it.”
“Thanks.”
“So what else were you going to say before we got sidetracked with talk of Brett?”
“That’s it, really. He got my number and said he’d call me.”
So this really is more. “Keep me posted. I’ve got a student coming any minute so gotta go. Love you.”
“You too.”
After we hang up I stare at my phone in disbelief. Lucy made it sound as though she was in love with the guy. Who knew she had it in her? I shake my head to clear it. I never thought I’d see the day. It’s just that Lucy doesn’t have an interest in men. Since we graduated she’s been focused on her career. I’ve tried to get her to date. But she always makes excuses. Back in college she dated a guy, Toby, but since him she hasn’t been with anyone serious. So to hear her gush about this guy is unexpected to say the least.
I’m so happy for her. Of course I am. It’s just that this could change everything.
Lucy’s always been my other half. I guess I never thought I’d have to share her. I remember when I found out my mom was pregnant with Rachel. Even though I wanted a sibling, I had mixed emotions. On the one hand I was going to be a big sister, an idea that was appealing in the abstract. But for so long it was just me and my parents. I had their undivided attention. I never had to share anything, so that took some getting used to—realizing I would no longer be the center of their universe.
And now, here I am again. I know I can’t expect things to stay the same forever. But the thing is, I always thought I’d go first. When I pictured my future, I guess I saw myself as the star with Lucy in the wings. And by that I mean I thought I’d be the one to fall for someone first, get engaged first, and eventually married with Lucy as my maid of honor. I know she’s only just met the guy, so I’m probably getting ahead of myself. But the way she was talking about him makes me think things will get serious. And fast. So where does that leave me? In the wings…again. God I sound like such a terrible person. I don’t think I am. It’s just that I need time to adjust.
I always thought I was meant for the spotlight.