Post Twenty-Six: With A Sense Of Perplexity
- Britany le Fay
- May 23, 2016
- 2 min read
Morgan
I couldn't tell if the way Natalie teased Elli was in good fun, or intentional digs. Even though they had seemingly been friends for a long time, there was still something off between them. Elli tensed up when Natalie was around. Yet she still acted as if it was just Natalie being Natalie, no big deal. Nothing to see here.
I didn't pry. In fact I was enjoying Elli's secrecy. Whether deliberate or not, she was so mysterious. Every time we got to serious matters, her job, family, personal views, she was completely nonchalant. Usually in a charming way, with a sense of perplexity to her. Then she would offer me a chunk of her. A piece that I got to take away with me.
There was so much left to learn about her, and it excited me.
As soon as Elli took the phone from Natalie, she turned away from. Obviously trying to keep me out of whatever conversation she was about to have. I could only hear her voice, but I picked up as much as possible.
It went something like this;
“Hi mum, yeah, I'm sorry I haven't talked to you.”
Pause.
“Seriously, don't be gross.”
Pause.
“Yes, Morgan is here. I told you that...”
Pause.
“Oh my God, calm down. He's just visiting for the week.”
Pause.
“No, I don't think that's a good idea.”
Pause.
“You know why. I've told you a million times, I just can't go through that again.”
Pause.
“Well tough shit if Ami wants to meet him. It's a bad idea.”
Pause.
“Mum, I am not having this conversation again.”
Pause.
“It's one Friday night dinner, you guys will survive without me. I'll see you next week.”
Pause.
“Yeah, we're going out with Natalie tonight for two for Tuesday's.”
Pause, followed by a long exasperated sigh.
“Fuck Paul.”
“Yeah, okay, you too. I'll text you later, I promise.”
Pause.
“Love you too, mum. Bye.”
Elli put down the phone, turning back to me with a strange expression on her face. She picked up her sandwich, playing with it as she hesitated to take a bite.
“So...” I wavered, “should I even ask about Friday night dinner?”
“You can ask,” she nodded, “doesn't mean I'll talk about it.”
“Then I won't ask,” I omitted, offering a smile.
She looked sad. Whatever her mum had said about her sister, or Paul, or something, had changed her mood drastically.
“We should get ready,” she decided, leaving her uneaten sandwich on the counter.
Comments