“And how many blocks do you have up?” I ask, continuing on with her metaphor.
“I have 45,000 words. The novel will be about 60,000 words.”
“You’re almost done!” I say. “I really want to read it when you’re done.”
“Maybe.” She shrugs and looks away.
“Please?”
“I don’t know,” she says without meeting my eyes. “I’m afraid.”
“Afraid? But what about what you just said about fear?”
“This fear is different. I’m worried about what you’re going to say,” Tea says, looking up at me. She’s trying to read my face to see what kind of critic I am.
“Don’t be,” I say, trying to put her at ease. “I’m sure it’s marvelous. And if it’s not, I won’t tell you.”
We both burst out laughing. I laugh so hard that my eyes tear up a bit. When we finally catch our breath, Tea’s face gets very serious.
“You promise?” she asks.
“Yes.”
* * *
Just when I’m about to leave, Tea insists on heating up some leftover pizza from last night. I’m sucker for day-old pizza and cave.
“So how are things going with that guy you’re seeing? Simon?” she asks, pouring me a cup of soda.
My chest tightens a bit. She has broached the boyfriend topic. Why would she do that? Doesn’t she know that our relationship depends on us explicitly not talking about our boyfriends? It’s okay, stay calm, I say to myself. She just asked about my boyfriend. Simon’s neutral territory. Maybe she won’t bring up her boyfriend at all. I’m definitely not going to ask about Tristan.
“Good.” I nod. “He invited me for a weekend to this cabin in upstate New York.”
“Wow, that’s a big step,” she says.
“I know. It is. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. But he really wants me to go.”
She looks puzzled for a moment. But then I realize that it’s not confusion painted on her face. It’s disappointment. With a hint of sadness.
“You’re lucky. Tristan won’t even let me call him my boyfriend. He says that he doesn’t like labels.”
Shivers run up my spine. I can’t believe that she has mentioned Tristan’s name, just like that. Like it’s nothing. Just another word.
38
“Are you okay?” Tea asks, putting her hand on my arm. I haven’t spoken a word in sometime. The silence is deafening. My lips are chapped and my throat is tingling. I’m suddenly so thirsty I bet I can drink a one-gallon jug of water without pausing.
“Fine,” I finally manage. “So tell me more about your book.”
“Don’t try to change the subject,” she says, calling me on my shit.
I look away. Shrug. I search my mind for the last thing she had said. “So Tristan doesn’t like labels, huh?”
“No, at least that’s what he said to me.”
I shrug again and start to think of ways to get out of this room as soon as possible.
“Was he like this with you?” Tea asks.
Her enormous wide eyes somehow grow even bigger. Juliet would love her eyelashes. They’re so lush and full, unlike mine. Perhaps she might even say that Tea doesn’t need false lashes. No, come to think of it, Juliet’s not the ‘less is more’ kind of girl.
“Listen, I don’t feel really comfortable talking about this,” I say and start gathering my things. But she stops me.
“I’m sorry, I know this is probably really awkward for you,” Tea sighs. “I just don’t know what to do. I don’t know if he’s just being a normal guy or if something’s really wrong.”
I shrug.
“So, was he like that with you?” she asks again. I can leave. Right now.
If I just pack up my stuff and say that I really don’t want to talk about this, I can just leave. She can’t stop me. But when I look into her eyes and see that lost look on her face, I know that I can’t. I sigh and give in.
“Like what?” I ask.
“Secretive? Anti-labels? Did he mind calling you his girlfriend?”
“It was different then, Tea. We were both in high school. 11th grade isn’t like freshman year of college. You think you’re so grown up then. Many people want to be in a relationship. Perhaps for no other reason except to say that they were in one.”
She nods and sighs. I’m making sense to her. I search my mind for some other words of explanation that I could offer her that won’t hurt her feelings.
“Besides, Tristan and I were best friends. For many years before we ever got together,” I say. “So when we got together, it was different. It was more serious, right from the beginning.”
Again, she sighs and looks away. I put my arm around her shoulders. They slouch under my touch.
“How long were you together?” she asks.
“Two years.”
“Do you think maybe he doesn’t want to get serious because he just got out of a serious relationship?” she asks. That’s exactly what I’m thinking.
“I’m sure. If it’s any consolation, that’s kind of how I feel.”
“What do you mean?” Tea asks.
I drop my arm from her shoulder, try to pull away. But she just leans on me and waits for my answer.
“Well, Simon calls me his girlfriend,” I say. “But I don’t really call him my boyfriend. We didn’t have a big discussion about it. He just started doing it. Without my permission, really. Maybe Tristan feels the same way. Maybe he just doesn’t want to complicate things right now, you know? I certainly don’t.”
I see her listening to me, but I’m not sure if she’s really hearing me.
“So what happened between you two?” she suddenly asks.
“What do you mean?” My heart sinks. I don’t want to talk about our breakup. By the puzzled look on her face, I don’t think that’s what she’s referring to.
“Well, you were kind of becoming friends again, right? He talked about you a bit and how things were getting more friendly and positive. But now, you’re not talking again? He said you were mad at him. What happened?”
Shit. Shit. Shit. I decide to fake it. “Nothing really.” I shrug, trying to pretend that everything’s okay.
I look at Tea. She’s not buying it. I have no idea if Tea knows about Tristan’s masquerade ball, but I have a feeling that she doesn’t. And there’s no way I’m going to tell her. It’s Tristan’s thing. He needs to tell her why he didn’t take her. Agh, I fuckin’ hate that guy!
“I don’t know. It’s sort of hard being friends again after a breakup. We tried for a while, but it just didn’t feel right. So we’re giving each other some space,” I say.
I’m gathering my stuff again. This time, I’m leaving for me. Before Tea entraps me in some other conversation that I have no interest in.
“But Tristan said that you were mad at him,” Tea presses. “What did he do?”
“Listen, Tea, I have to go. We’re just not friends anymore. Can we leave it at that?” I say, putting on my coat.
Tea stands up. I think she’s about to give me a hug and walk me to the elevator, but instead she blocks the door.
“I feel like you’re hiding something, Alice. Did something happen?” she asks. “I promise I won’t be mad. I just need to know the truth.”
“Nothing happened, Tea,” I say. I purposely use her name, the same way she used my name to make a point. “I have no interest in Tristan. We’re not even friends anymore. Seriously, you have nothing worry about.”
She doesn’t move away from the door.
“Can I get by, please?” I ask. “I really have to get back.”
Finally, she moves out of the way. Very reluctantly.
“You promise?” she asks. “You promise that nothing happened between you and Tristan?”
“Yes, yes, I promise,” I lie.
I don’t even know how to begin to answer that question.
I walk out of Tea’s building with the certain sense that she didn’t believe me. Honestly, I wa
sn’t very convincing, but it’s not my place to be. I’m mad at Tristan for a very legitimate reason, but it’s not one that I can share with her without hurting her feelings and embarrassing her. This is Tristan’s thing. It’s his responsibility to tell her. Or not tell her.
“Agh!” I scream in the elevator. “Shit. Shit. Shit, Tristan. Why do you have to be such an asshole?”
The elevator dings and the doors open. Two people enter and I take a deep breath. No more outbursts, I say to myself. And bite my lower lip to keep quiet.
39
I pack an overnight bag for the cabin in upstate New York. It’s not really upstate upstate because it’s only 2 hours outside of Manhattan. But New Yorkers have a curious tendency to call everything outside of Manhattan upstate.
Looking through my closet, I don’t know what to bring. I look up the weather on my phone. It should be in the high 40s and low 50s there this weekend. So really cold, at least for me. I know it’s going to get even colder.
I pull a small suitcase from under my bed. I’m not a good packer. I don’t do it often and I lack practice, at least according to my parents who both fly practically every week and don’t think that there’s anything unusual about that. My head hurts and my arms feel heavy when I look through my closet for appropriate sweaters. I hate to admit it, but the main reason I’m having trouble packing is that I don’t really want to go. I’m not in that place yet with Simon. The going away for the weekend place. Why was he so insistent on us going? And why the hell did he go ahead and book this place without even consulting me? Girls like spontaneity in relationships. They like it when guys take initiative and book romantic gateways all on their own. I’m not different, of course. Except that what most girls won’t tell you is that we only want spontaneity from guys we already want to go on trips with. Otherwise, it’s awkward. Uncomfortable. Full of pressure.
If Simon had asked me about this trip before booking it, I would’ve said no. But he didn’t. He just said that he had booked it and that he couldn’t cancel without losing all of his money. That’s a lot of pressure!
I look the cabin up on my phone. It looks cozy and warm. A cute mountain gateway. If it weren’t for Simon, I’d be really excited about going on this trip. I haven’t been outside of New York ever since I’ve been here and I’m really curious about checking out the nature on the East Coast. It’s completely different from the kind of nature that I’m used to.
A knock on my open door breaks my concentration, startling me. I almost drop my phone.
What? I mouth to Tristan. He motions that the music is too loud. Reluctantly, I turn down Elle King’s “Ex’s and Oh’s” and turn to him.
Tristan is leaning on the frame of the door. It looks as if he’s actually holding it up.
“Can I talk to you?” he asks. There’s something unusual about his demeanor. He looks lost, somehow. Vulnerable.
I don’t say anything and turn back to my packing.
“Alice?”
“Go, talk,” I say, folding my favorite purple merino wool sweater with a wide turtleneck into my bag.
“Is that the sweater that I got you for Christmas last year?” he asks.
I nod and put another sweater on top of it. I won’t admit it out loud, but it’s one of my favorites.
“I’m glad you love it,” he says quietly.
I look up at him. His hazel eyes look green in this light and they search my face for something. Whatever he has to talk to me about is serious.
“I do love it,” I admit it.
I can’t lie. I don’t usually like wool. It’s usually bulky and hot or just itches like hell. But this sweater is amazing. Super comfortable and soft. Never itchy. It also goes with practically everything. Tights. Jeans. Even pajamas.
Tristan gave it to me on Christmas Eve on the beach in Malibu. We spent the day together surfing and kissing and drinking wine coolers. After having a picnic on the beach and watching the sun set, he handed me the box with the sweater. It cost him a month of his allowance.
“What do you want, Tristan?”
“I heard that you’re going away with that guy. Simon.”
I shrug.
“Are you?”
“I’m packing, aren’t I?” I ask. That’s bitchy and so not me. I regret saying that, but I won’t apologize.
“For how long?”
“Not long. Tomorrow through Sunday.
“That’s long, Alice. Very long,” he says. I stare at him. I have no idea where this is coming from.
“Do you think this is too soon?” he asks.
My patience is wearing thin. We’re not even talking and now I’m supposed to stand here and listen to a lecture about too soon from my ex?
“Too soon? Are you insane?” I say. “Get the hell out, Tristan”
I try to close the door, but he puts his foot in the crack. “No, listen, Alice. This has nothing to do with me. I’m just worried.”
I roll my eyes.
“You know that jealous ex-boyfriend act is getting really old Tristan. I’m sick of it.”
“No, it has nothing to do with that,” he says. The way he says it, I suddenly believe him. There’s sincerity in his voice.
“I found out something about Simon,” Tristan says.
“What?” I ask before I have a chance to think about it. “No, you know what, it doesn’t matter. I don’t care.”
“Alice, please. Listen. I don’t want you to go,” Tristan says. His eyes tighten. Pupils dilate.
“I don’t care what you want. This is none of your business,” I say, refusing to acknowledge the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach that says that maybe he’s right.
“He does drugs, Alice,” Tristan finally comes out with it. “I didn’t want to tell you, but you forced me. And I don’t mean that he smokes a little pot on weekends. Cocaine. Meth. And a lot of it.”
“Meth? Are you serious?” I ask, rolling my eyes. I definitely don’t believe that. “He does not. That’s a lie.”
“I heard it from Juliet a while ago. And she heard it from someone else.”
“Oh, wow, who can argue with testimony from ‘someone else,’” I say mockingly.
Tristan ignores me and continues, “I didn’t want to say anything at first ‘cause I thought you’d just find out on your own. But then I heard that you were going away with him.”
“I don’t believe you.” I shrug.
“He’s been arrested, Alice. He’s got a record.”
I shrug. I don’t know anything about this. But I don’t disbelieve Tristan. I just don’t want to give him the satisfaction. Besides, is a record enough of a reason to cancel? It’s a great excuse, I suddenly realize. But then I look at Tristan. He’s searching my face for some hope that I’m with him. No, I can’t give into him.
“Alice, please, don’t go. I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Tristan, I don’t understand what you want from me,” I say, even though he had just answered my question. I take a deep breath and try again.
“Tristan, we’re over. Don’t you know that? Why are you going around finding out dirt on my boyfriend?”
He doesn’t respond. Hoping that he’ll just leave, I go back to packing.
“Alice…” he starts, but I cut him off.
“You’re just jealous, Tristan. We’re not together and I’m not talking to you anymore because you’re an asshole. And now you’re mad. You want to make my life difficult. Really, I thought you were better than just a gossip.”
He shakes his head, but doesn’t make a move to leave.
“And by the way, please don’t put me in the middle of you and Tea, whatever it is you two have going. She knows that I’m mad at you for some reason, but she doesn’t know why. And she was pestering me about it. I don’t want to be involved in your drama, Tristan. You got that?” I say.
I turn toward him. He’s still standing in the doorway.
“Alice, please,” he tries again. I’m over it. I kick hi
s foot out of the doorframe and slam the door in his face.
40
Simon has rented a car for the occasion. I haven’t been in a car that wasn’t a cab in more than two months and I feel excited. I honestly didn’t know how I’d miss the car and the freedom that comes with driving until I was back in one. Simon lets me drive even though the rental car isn’t under my name. Sitting at the wheel again after all of this time makes me realize how confined I’d felt living in New York. I can go anywhere. I can drive all day and get to Canada. Or drive 18 hours and be in Florida. Or four days and end up back home in LA.
“How do people live in the city their whole lives without going anywhere?” I ask Simon, rhetorically.
“Many New Yorkers think that going across the park is a huge deal.” He shrugs.
“Well, I sort of get that.” I smile. “You have to take the bus or change trains. But if you had a car…”
I let my words trail off as I imagine all the wonderful places that I could go and all the things I could see if I had a car. Connecticut. Boston. Maine. Fuck, even Newfoundland.
Unfortunately, I won’t be going to any of those place today. Within two hours, we arrive at a little outcrop of cabins in a forest. This place isn’t far away, but it feels like we’ve traveled to another universe. A world in which Manhattan and all of its lights and craziness doesn’t exist. The trees glisten in the sunlight. Not a single leaf is green; all are different shades of fall: yellow, orange, red, gold. A light wind blows in and a few gold ones detach and dance under the cloudless sky. The air is crisp and smells of dew and fresh pine.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, immediately forgetting all of my concerns about coming here
Nature always puts me at ease. Unlike in New York where getting to nature, real nature, requires a car rental, back home, getting immersed in nature is a piece of cake. Wilderness is only a five to ten minute drive away, depending on where you live. Despite what many people think, Southern California is a wild place. Its mountains and hills are filled with mountain lions and coyotes. Even in the suburbs, where my parents live, coyotes often come right up to the house to sing their screeching songs of hope and loss.
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