Truth:Chapter 6

Truth: Chapter 6
I was going to meet Tom at our usual time, at Coffee Blues, when I saw him. Dexter. He was at…that place I went to a few years ago.
“Christina. I’ve been looking for you. “ a tall man in horn-rimmed glasses called out. “It’s time for you to come home. You’re father died, this Monday.”
I dropped to the floor. My father meant everything to me. He was there when…I was in the hospital and everybody left me. My mother killed herself. My own sister, Serena, hated me for it. She made my life a living hell after it. My Grandparents lived so far away, so they couldn’t do anything about it- until I moved with them. But, my dad- oh, god. My dad had always been there.
“When do I leave?”
*
Three months later
I know I shouldn’t have been avoiding my friend’s calls. They were worried about me- I haven’t been out of my apartment, besides going to class and buying groceries. Tom called almost every other day. So many times, I wanted to pick up and tell him I’m fine, just fine. But, I couldn’t…I didn’t want to seem weak. The only people I was in contact with was Colin, because he got an internship at the pharmacy(he was studying to be a pharmacist, and was finally going in training) and he saw my medicine. He is the only one who knows…what condition I have, how crazy I am. He drives me to my Grandmother Cheryl’s,basically my hero and the only family I have left, besides Serena. She tries to help me cope as well.
It’s winter now, and I had to get bread for dinner. I don’t get as hungry anymore, but Colin insisted we have spaghetti.
That’s when I saw him, Tom.
I tried to duck in an ally, but he was too quick.
“CHRISTINA!” he called.
*
When I saw her, I couldn’t believe it was her; long gone was the shiny brown curls, she was too thin, God, she was too thin… and her eyes seemed lifeless. What happened to my Christina?
She dropped her tote and the bread fell out.
“Shit.” She muttered.
“Let me help.” I offered her a hand, which she took
“ How are you? It’s been three months…I called.” I started.
She shrugged.” I’m fine, just fine. And I know.”
I was torn; I resisted the urge to scream at her, or hug her- she was broken. Why was she broken?
“So, how are you?” I asked dumbly
“I think it’s my turn to ask that.”
“I’m well.” I remember how she hates bad English.
It was an uncomfortable silence; which freaked me out, because our pause of conversation was never awkward. Never.
“I have to go. Colin is making dinner for me and my Grandmother…Would you like to join us?” she asked hesitantly.
I smiled at her, “Sure.”
*
I’m an old woman, I seen too much, I heard too much- I know enough. I knew that this Colin boy was as queer as a rainbow, my favorite granddaughter is lost- and only she can find herself, and she’s damn strong enough to do so! But, one thing I knew the most- was the matter of the heart. One of them was that- the tall blonde gentleman, Tom,is in love with my grandbaby. Head over heels. And she didn’t know it- just like her momma, had to have something slapped in your face to realize what is so obvious to everyone else.
“ Hi Grandma!” Christina greeted, throwing her key in the bowl next to the door. “This is my friend, Tom. Tom, this is my Grandma Cheryl.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss.” Tom lowered his head.
“Aw, he’s well-mannered and handsome. Keep a hold on him.” I laughed and went in the kitchen to help queer boy with dinner.
*
“Sorry,” I said. “ My Grandma is very blunt. She likes you though.”
“How could you tell?”
“She hasn’t thrown/hit/insulted you yet.”
“Of course.”
“Indeed.”
I was having fun for the first time in months. I kept catching Tom glancing at me, giving me this curious look, like he was trying to figure me out. Colin seemed more easy-going, and friendlier to Tom in the past. I must ask him why.
While Colin(who lived with me now)dropped off my Grandma, I was on the sofa trying to read. I couldn’t, the words were in disarray, the sentence scrambled- I used to love to read. Now, it took everything I had to finish a paragraph.
I lied about going to class. I dropped out mid-semester. Which doesn’t matter, because both my parents are one of the richest families in New York? Instead, I work as a waitress in a bistro downtown, where rich business men come in for lunch to cheat on their wives; I don’t know how many times I was offered to “get a drink” after my shift.
“Hey, hun. Tonight was fun, right?” Colin sat next to me on the couch and patted my hair.
“It was.” I smiled.
“Tom is in love with you, you realize?”
I slapped him as hard as I could.
“Don’t say that. Tom will never love me. I’m a mess. Anal retentive, I get nervous about everything, I’m not beautiful or blonde, or ...or” I was struggling to contain my tears
“You’re intelligent, witty, charming, GORGEOUS, and adorable- why don’t you see it? For God sake’s, everyone else does! I know, you been hurt by that ass John Hughes, or even by your sister- but you got to move on. You have to. Life isn’t going to stop for you. It’s going to keep moving- with or without you. YOU have to be strong. You lost your way, Chris, and it kills me because you were so wonderful, and you still can be- tell me what happened back there?”
I cried. I told him. I let everything out.
*
We met every week at Coffee Blues again. Miss. Patty was excited I came back.
“DAH-LING! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? OH, YOU ARE SO THIN! EAT!”
Tom laughed and brought our coffee to our usual table, by the window.
“ How was the tournament?” I asked.
“Good. I placed second. Oh, and Greg asked about you.” Tom said after swallowing a piece of his muffin
“Oh, really? “ I said, sipping my coffee.
“What?No, tell him I’m a lesbian!” Tom chuckled
“Just doesn’t seem worth the effort.” Nothing does I thought.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“I just ate.” I didn’t, but I didn’t feel like eating.
“Okay. It’s my turn on Truth.” Tom said, swallowing the last piece of his muffin.
“Go for it.”
“Into the tortured, skinny artist types or the athletic, academic types?”
“Are you into.” I corrected “I’m not into either.”
“Oh.” He said
“I’m into men who are comfortable with themselves; that’s all I need.” I said simply.
Tom gave me a funny look- that look he gave me the other night at dinner, the one where he’s trying to figure me out.
“My turn. Why did you call so often, for those 3 months, when I didn’t answer your calls?” I was curious for the answers. Did he care about me, as much as I hoped he did?
“I was worried is all…”
He’s leaving something out. That’s the thing about Tom. He gives, but not all the way.
A half hour we said our goodbyes and left.
*
I watched Christina drive away in her Kia car- she looks better.
Let’s make it stay that way.
I didn’t know, yet, that it was just the calm until the storm.