After a few days of getting used to the new life style, independent living. I really felt like this should have happened years ago. I loved eating whatever I wanted, watching whatever I wanted on the television and sleeping with my door open in the nude. Life on my own was starting out perfect. I really loved my parents and I wouldn’t trade them for anyone in the world, but I think they were holding me back. Probably not intentionally but they were. I was always concerned with how my stuff would affect them and now, not so much.
My savings account took a bit of a hit through furnishing the apartment. I’ve managed to spend over a grand just on new items in the few days since I received the keys. It wasn’t my fault though; one thing leads to another very easily at Target. First I needed lamps, and I couldn’t find any that matched my bed décor, so naturally I had to get new sheets and throw pillows. That came to the next room, my bathroom. My towels and rugs didn’t match the main bedroom and of course I had to upgrade. Then there was my library, oh the wonder of books! I picked out the best shelving from World Market, didn’t care that each one cost a hundred, they were the perfect size and look great against the wall. I was almost done cleaning out my boxes of books too. Then there was the kitchen. Now my mother was a saint she got so much taken care of, but now that I am cooking for myself. I needed the best pots and pans. Rachel Ray sure doesn’t tell you how much her stuff costs when's he is cooking on the television, but if my stuff can turn out as good as hers then it will be worth every penny.
Life on my own really was good.
And I haven’t thought about what’s his name in a long time. Of course by long time I mean about twenty four hours. He doesn’t leave me alone long enough for me to really forget about him. It is coming to the point where I am actually just considering giving the ring back. Not because he wants it, but because I just want him to leave me alone. He isn’t being conducive to my new life a life, that doesn’t involve him in it.
Everyone kept telling me that’s what I needed to do, but I really don’t want to resort to that. I loved him deeply and he hurt me more than anyone should be hurt. Then after he did that he stole my money. Why should he get to keep his grandmothers ring. But as Jessie keeps pointing out with my mother, why would I want to keep something that will remind me of him and my cousin constantly.
Dad suggested that I pawn it. That thought did seem the easiest and best solution but Jessie’s father advises against that. If I am going to keep it and not return it, I have to keep it.
But after living in this clean and drama free space for a few days I don’t know that I really want it. Maybe I could just give it back and then Albert will be gone for good.
There was a knock on my office door and that pulled my focus back to where it should be, work. I have got to stop daydreaming when I leave my windows open, my coworkers will think I have issues if I am always staring off into space.
“Excuse me ma’am but there is a phone call for you on line one.” My assistant told me.
“Thank you,” I promptly replied and then motioned for her to shut my door.
When I was sure of the privacy of the room I pressed line one and picked up the receiver, “Good morning this is Merewyn how may I help you?” Mom always did explain the importance of being polite on the first moment of a phone call; you never knew who was on the other end.
“Merewyn, don’t hang up.”
My eyes rolled to the back of my head and I let the long sigh leave my mouth, “Albert what do you want now?”
I don’t know why I even asked everyone knows what he wants.
“To talk can I meet you somewhere?”
“We have nothing to talk about Albert, I know you want the ring and I don’t want to give it to you, what more is there to discuss?”
“You won’t even meet me for coffee?”
“No Albert I won’t.”
“I don't want to have you arrested again M. Please meet me.”
“Don’t call me M and I assure you, if you have me arrested again my lawyer will sue you and the police or sheriff’s office that you swindle into doing it.”
“You love him don’t you?”
His comment caught me off guard, I opened my mouth to respond but nothing came out. Loved who, Jessie?
“It’s okay M, I know I lost you. I messed up big time.”
“Love is a strong word, one I won’t use again for a while.”
“You’re saying I ruined you for others?” It almost sounded like his voice had a grin to it. That pissed me off.
“No, you didn’t ruin me for anyone, it just means I am going to be more discerning when it goes to giving my heart away that’s all.”
“I’ve seen you two together, you love him and that’s okay, I know I hurt you.”
“Hurt is too nice of a term for what you did, you betrayed me. Hurt is when you happen to cuss or say someone has a bad hair day. Hurt isn’t fucking someone's cousin three days after you propose to spend the rest of your life with that person.”
“You’re right I know Merewyn. Can we please just talk, face to face, I won’t even bring up the ring? Just you and me.”
I let my head fall into my free hand and sighed again. I knew he would never go away if I didn’t say yes. This was my only chance to get him to put this to rest. “Fine, where would you like to meet?”
“How about your new apartment, it looks nice.”
The hair on the back of my neck stood up and I instantly felt creeped out, he was stalking me. Thank god these bank phones are recorded. I wrote a note down of the time of the phone call so I could have IT pull the phone record and send that to Jessie’s dad. “How about Starbucks off of Highway 3?”
“Can’t blame me for trying can you?”
“Course I can. I’ll see you at seven tonight. And I won’t be alone.”
I hung the phone up before waiting to hear what he had to say to that and quickly sent Jessie a text telling him what just happened and where and when to meet me. Hopefully tonight would end it. I was pretty sure however the only way for this to really end would be for me to give him back the ring.
Work sucked all the extra energy out of my brain by the time I left for the day. There was loan issue after loan issue and there is only so many times you can give the news that someone’s credit wasn’t good enough to qualify them for the small business loan they desperately needed in order to keep their businesses afloat. Certain days I hated my job, which was why I was glad I only delivered news on Wednesday that would upset me. It was something that my mentor taught me, that way at least you had high odds that the other four days of the week wouldn’t destroy your desires for the job.
My phone started vibrating in my pocket and when I pulled it out I saw that Jessie had sent me a text.
Jessie: Running late, see you at your place in 10
Me: NP see you soon, late myself
Jessie: Glad I’m not alone :)
Me: Back at ya :p
Life with Jessie was way better than life with Albert. After spending all this time getting to know Jessie again and rekindling some of the same feelings we had as kids, I can’t even remember what it was about Albert that made me so happy. Why had I stayed with him for so long?
I drove the short distance to my apartment listening to 106.9, the local 70’s and 80’s station. Pat Benatar blared through the speakers and I was doing a little dance in my seat. Good music was the cure for anything that ailed you and by the time I walked into my apartment I was smiling. She convinced me to put my bad day full of disappointing news aside and move on.
It was in this moment of thought that it hit me … the ring. What good was it doing in my apartment? It would be a constant reminder of the bad, the hateful and sickening feelings that stem from me whenever Albert is in my mind. My iPad was sitting on the coffee table and I opened it up and pulled up Word Processor. I started typing out a letter.
To Whom It May Concern:
I hereby acknowledge that Merewyn Smith returned the engagement ring that I presented her and she no longer owes me anything. I hereby drop all charges.
Sincerely,
Albert Tully
I looked over the short letter and picked up my phone to text Jessie and decided to call him instead.
“Hey Merewyn I’ll be there in like five.”
“Jessie, you’re a notary right? I think I heard a rumor you can get your pet checked out and your papers notarized at your vet clinic.”
A laugh came through the other end of the phone, “That’s right it is called a twofer, get it, two and fur.”
I smiled but I failed to laugh at his attempt at humor. It was best not to encourage it.
“Why you need a notary?”
“I do, can you bring your stuff tonight please?”
“Sure thing let me grab it while I am still in the apartment and I’ll be right over”
“Perfect. Thanks Jessie see you soon.”
After clicking my phone off I printed out the word document and looked over it one more time. I don't need Albert. Nothing will make me go back to him and I could care less about my cousin so there was really no reason to keep the ring. Everyone seemed to be right after all, and I would just have to get over that feeling of dread when I heard I told you so from everyone.
I walked to the bedroom and removed the ring from the jewelry box that I was keeping it in. I looked over it once more before slipping it into my pocket. This ends tonight I thought to myself. I walked into the bathroom and ran a quick brush through my hair, touched up my makeup and then I quickly changed shirts. I was going to get this over with as fast as possible and then maybe Jessie and I could go out for some sushi to celebrate my freedom from the ex.
There was a light knock on the door so I raced into the living room, grabbed my purse a pen and the paper and then opened the front door to see Jessie standing on the other side.
“Aren’t you cute tonight?” He said with a huge grin on his face.
“Sure am, come on let’s go we are already late.”
“I’ll drive that way you can tell me why you needed my notary set.”
On the way to Starbucks I filled him in on the revelation that I had and what I was going to do tonight. Jessie called his father and informed him of my idea and got his blessing, but he did warn Albert would still have to be the one to drop the charges with the police, but that the signed document would go a long way to ensuring I would stay free.
“There is his car,” I pointed to it in the parking lot. “Let’s get this over with.”
I took a deep breath and moved from the vehicle into the parking lot and over to the front door. When I pulled it open I instantly saw that Beth was sitting with Albert right near the front of the entrance. I knew that I had mentally already said she could have him but seeing them together face to face was a bit harder than I had expected it to be.
Albert stood from his chair and looked down at the table and then back up at me. His face noticeably changed as Jessie walked in behind me. Good, let him be uncomfortable now too.
“Merewyn, please sit.” Albert said to me pointing to the spare chair at the table.
I wasn’t sure what exactly I expected but I was taking my time moving towards them, slowly breathing in and out.
“Albert.” I said and nodded my head as I took the seat. Jessie was standing behind me; I could feel his presence giving me strength.
“Thank you for meeting me.” Albert said and then he looked at Beth who gave him a nod and then he continued speaking. “I know that this is my entire fault, and I had no reason to blame you. Beth and my mother talked to me for a long time about my actions and they have helped me see the errors in my way.”
The tone of his voice sounded resentful almost like he was being forced to say all of this. I didn’t care, it didn’t matter to me one way or another.
“Okay.” I said simply.
I watched Beth lean down and pull up a Victoria Secret bag and place it on the table. “Here this is for you Merewyn.” She pushed the bag towards me.
My head started shaking no, “I don’t want anything from you, cousin.” I let the last word sound a bit more harsh than it needed to be but there was no reason I needed to be nice to the woman who ruined my relationship.
“Take it M.” Albert said, “It is the money I owe you. All of it. Take it. I am sorry.”
A gasp escaped my mouth and I looked up at Jessie for support. He placed his hands on my shoulders and I leaned over and pulled the bag towards me. I had never seen so many hundred dollar bills stacked in a row. I wasn’t stupid enough to count it while I was sitting there but I also was smart enough to hang onto the bag and not let it go.
“Thank you Albert, I” there was a moment where I couldn’t speak, I was suddenly feeling emotional. “I am really grateful for this.”
“I never should have taken it and I certainly never should have slept with Beth.”
“He didn't tell me you two were engaged, he told me he was dumping you.” Beth interjected.
I looked over at her and then at him, I could see what she was saying was the truth. “But you still slept with him, even if it had been true, he and I were a couple. I don't know if I can forgive you for that one anytime soon Beth.”
She nodded her head in understanding, “I know, but I just wanted you to hear it from me, that I am sorry.”
“Duly noted.” I fidgeted in my seat and then handed Albert the paper I had come into the Starbucks with. “Here, I need you to sign this. I printed it out at home and Jessie is going to notarized it so it is all legal.” I watched as Albert quickly read the few lines on the paper.
“You haven’t given me the ring though. I can’t sign this.” He said and pushed the paper back towards me.
I reached my hand into my pocket and pulled out the ring one last time. I placed it on top of the paper and slid both items back towards him. Jessie reached around and presented Albert with a pen and he looked at us both in wonder. “Really you came here planning on giving me the ring back even not knowing about the money?”
My head nodded in return, “Yes because it is the right thing to do.”
Albert gave one acknowledging head bob and then picked up the pen Jessie had extended towards him and signed his name on the paper. Jessie walked around the table and pulled out his notary stamp and booklet and then began doing his portion of the nights activities.
Five minutes later Beth and Albert were walking out of the coffee house and Jessie and I were sitting at the table looking at the seven thousand dollars in the ladies panties bag.
“Tonight really went different than expected didn’t it?” I say jokingly to Jessie.
“Sure did, almost feels like we need to go out and celebrate big time.”
“And this is why I know I love you, you can read my thoughts. Come on, dinners on me I suddenly fell into some extra cash.”
We left Starbucks and stopped back at my house. I removed three hundred from the bag and then placed it safely in my closet away from anyone who might look for some extra money lying around. While I was trying to hide the money Jessie scanned a copy of the document on his phone and sent it to his dad.
That part of my life was now officially over and I could start moving on. What a great feeling.
“M you ready to go; I’m thinking sushi!”
“Stop with the mind reading!” I yell out to him as I walk out of my room with a huge smile on my face.
“Or you know we could just stay in.” He said grinning at me looking me up and down like a piece of meat.
“No way we’re going out come on cowboy you better bring your appetite.