Margo is an early riser. But apparently, there is someone who gets up even earlier.
There is a knock on the door. Margo wraps herself in her blanket and answers. It’s Monique. She’s soaking wet from the latest rain storm.
Monique steps inside and removes her rain boots. She leaves her umbrella open just outside the front door, to dry before she shuts the door behind her.
“Why aren’t you dressed?” Monique asks.
Margo tosses the blanket on the couch. “Uh, because I just woke up,” Margo says with a slight case of annoyance.
“You forgot,” Monique pronounces.
“Forgot what?” Margo chirps.
Monique plops down on the couch, “We made plans to pick up some equipment at REI. You know; for our trip tomorrow, to the mountains; where people bundle up, ski and drink hot cocoa by the fire. Remember?”
Margo gives her a look that reveals that she forgot. Monique sits straight up on the couch, “Are you kidding me?”
“I didn’t forget,” Margo lets on.
“Then what is it,” Monique prompts.
“Reggie and I…”
“What happened?” Monique probes.
Margo is used to listening to Monique’s problems, not the other way around. Margo doesn’t mind playing the therapist and even offers stellar advice, in her opinion. But now the shoe is on the other food.
Margo needs to dish to her best bud. She could use the support.
“Reggie and I, I don’t know where we stand. I reached out to his dad in hopes of connecting them after so many years apart.”
“I know how that went over with Reggie,” Monique pipes in.
Margo shares more details, “Last night when I called Reggie in Eugene, it was as if I was talking to a stranger. I know he felt the same way. Monique, I’m scared.”
Margo searches for a tissue to wipe away her tears, but she becomes frustrated when she can’t find one. Monique quickly walks to the kitchen, grabs a paper towel and hands it to Margo as she embraces her only the way a close friend can.
They both have a seat on stools at the kitchen counter.
“Besides, you know how important Black Friday is to me. I have my game plan all mapped out. I thought I could give it all up, skip everything. But I don’t think I can,” Margo confides with a bit of shame attached.
Monique grabs Margo by the shoulders and turns her around to face her, “You would rather shop than be with Reggie?”
Margo hadn’t thought of it as an either, or. But it is an important question that needs an answer.
Margo rationalizes, “Maybe you guys can head up first, and I come up on the last night? That way I won’t miss the sales, and still be with you guys in your ‘spotty wi-fi, spotty cell phone connection’ world. It would also give me less awkward moments with Reggie. What do you think?”
Monique doesn’t pull any punches, “Are you out of your ever lovin’ mind, Margo? Seriously. Do you think Reggie would agree to that? I wouldn’t if I were him.”
Margo, a bit on the defensive, “I don’t know what he’ll put up with or how much I’m willing to put up with, with the way things are right now. I’m just trying to come up with a compromise.”
Monique places a hand on Margo’s forearm and reassures her, “You two are so good for each other. Don’t let this wedge become permanent. Please think about your next step and the consequences. I’ll miss having you, but more importantly, if you don’t show, you’re giving Reggie an out. Hell, you’re forcing it on him. Please think about what I said.”
Monique walks to the front door, puts her rain boots and coat back on and steps out. The door shuts behind her.
Margo gets another countdown reminder of Black Friday on her cell phone. She stares at it before she saves the message.
She finds Reggie’s number in her phone book, pushes to call. After four rings, it goes to voicemail.
Reggie never lets her calls reach four rings.
Margo takes this as her final confirmation that Reggie is avoiding her and wants out.
She regrets even telling Reggie about her search for his father. She regrets meeting Howard, and God forbid, sorta kinda liking the person he has become.
But Reggie has taken it all out of her hands. He’s made his decision, and so has she.
She sends a simple text with no explanation to Reggie;
Unable to make the trip.