Friends Or Lovers Part 32

Perhaps that is what spurred me to write this story. Perhaps my own mother encouraged this creative streak in me, something that my fathers pragmatism and liberalism also shaped. For me, setting out my life on paper became part of my liberation. The world of parenthood took on a new fascination. No longer could I ignore how the crazy complicated mess that Elona and I had created at work had its foundation in our family histories. That spurred me to take greater interest in how I came to be who I am. And when Mike suggested I would make a good mother the urge to be a parent grew stronger and stronger.

Chapter 45.

Six weeks after Elona moved in with Mike, something happened that transformed her life. Her excitement was so great that she could not contain it. The moment I arrived at her flat she screeched at me to come and see something.

"Penny! Penny! Come here, come on, come here!"

I hastily hung up my jacket, pleaded with Elona to let me go to the loo first. When I emerged, she was waiting on the sofa clutching something in her hand. Her eyes were wide open and her face was so animated that I thought she would burst a blood vessel.

"Whats happened?" I asked. "Have you won the lottery?"

"Better than that," she answered.

"Well, come on then. Show me!"

Inside her sweaty palm was her mobile phone. She open the lid, pressed "menu", then "messages", then "inbox". For a couple of seconds a fancy graphic showed a pile of papers being sorted. Down the list I could see messages from her old boyfriend, but at the top was a phone number.

"Who is that from?" I asked.

Elona excitedly pressed a green b.u.t.ton and the message appeared.

M and P tell me u r recovering. Wud u like drink with mates after work?

Phil x "Better than the lottery?" I asked, raising my eyebrows in wonder.

"Well, its good isnt it. I mean he must......he must like me!"

I didnt know how to break the news that this may be kindness, or an attempt to help her mix in with people at work. It was 'good, however. I mentally got ready to nail Phil when I saw him next morning. He had mentioned Elona, but had his eye on others as well.

"Maybe you shouldnt read too much into it," I commented.

"But its a drink invitation! Hes asking me out."

My heart sank. It may be that Phil was asking her out, but then again it may not and I felt that it would be irresponsible not to prepare her for the possibility.

"Elona, love! Look at me," I said as I took her hands and our eyes locked.

She duly obliged.

"When a man asks you for a drink, it does not always mean that hes asking you to be his girlfriend. He may be interested in that. But he may just want to be your friend....."

"But my Dad said....."

"Forget your Dad," I interrupted. "I have a friend called John and when he first asked me for a drink I thought that perhaps he was trying to ask me out....."

"You just want to spoil my dreams!" she interrupted, starting to look a bit downcast.

"Dream all you like, my love. Pretend hes your fantasy hero, but remember that this may be your wish but not his."

"What about John?" she continued.

"I was excited. Very excited. Secretly I thought about him a lot, but when I was with him I took nothing for granted. Youve met him?" I asked.

"Yes," she answered. "Everyone talks about him at work, especially after he did that workshop about s.e.xism in the army."

"Have you replied to this?" I asked, returning to the question in hand.

"No! I was waiting for you. I dont want to appear too forward."

"Good. But you dont want him thinking youre not interested either?" I replied.

"But I dont know what to say! Could you...?"

"Could I what?"

"Could you reply?"

I laughed. The thought of me flirting by mobile with Phil while he thought he was talking to Elona tickled me. I saw that she looked slightly hurt by my mirth so I immediately apologised and gave it some thought. Would it be so bad?

"I cant have a text conversation with him," I said.

"Why not?" she asked.

My heart went out to her. She so wanted to get this one right.

"I think it would be better if it all came from you," I said finally.

"Just start me off, Pen," she said imploringly. "Just send the first few messages then Ill take over."

I thought about this. Perhaps Phil would never know the difference.

"How dyou want to play it then?" I replied, giving in to her.

She jumped on her seat and punched the air with her fist. Shed been planning this all day. I gave her a school-maam grin.

"Youre hot for him, right?"

"Youre the best! First impressions, eh? I want him to know Im interested I mean really interested."

I thought for a second. We didnt want to be tacky or crude. I knew Phil could be shy, but also that he had a quiet confidence. How could we use that?

"Okay! Give me the phone," I said.

I selected 'reply and typed away carefully. I showed the message to Elona and she kept nodding enthusiastically. Then she broke into laughter as I added the last two words.

"Dyou think thats too risque?" I asked her.

"Depends!" she replied.

"On what?" I asked.

"On whether I care about frightening him off!"

Id a.s.sumed that shed be crushed if he turned her down so I was confused by her comment.

"Dont you care?"

"A bit, I guess. But its so exciting, isnt it?" she replied. "I want to have some fun!"

I suddenly felt as if, despite all our conversations, I hardly knew her. Could she change that much in a few weeks?

"You can get hurt, you know?" I answered.

"Never stopped you!" she said, in a matter of fact way.

"No, I guess it didnt!"

"Penny?"

I looked up at her and she continued to speak.

"Do you have any idea how much I admire you?"

"What! Admire me?" I said, in response.

I sat for a second wondering why she would admire me. We were so different.

"Im flattered. Thank you!" I said, wondering if she was drunk.

She took my free hand with both of hers.

"Youre my heroine!" she said.

"Oh, Elona! Im nothing of the sort. Ive p.i.s.sed around and messed things up big time. I can be crabby and unreasonable, b.i.t.c.hy, emotional, selfish, mean and nasty......"

I started to run out of words so Elona decided to take over.

".....and kind and thoughtful, and s.e.xy and vivacious, and strong and fair......"

I shuddered at the thought that someone would use me as a role model.

"But most of all," she continued, "youre a natural."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you live your life without any fear."

"I wish! Seriously, Elona, you only see whats on the outside. Inside I have doubts just like you. Sometimes Im miserable, lonely and wretched..."

She suddenly got cross with me.

"What are you talking about? Youve done so much with your life. Been places, travelled, done things, studied, got a good career and now a fantastic man. From where Im sitting, you know how to live!"

She said this with such force that I didnt know what to say. Inside I knew I was no better and no stronger than she was. Id not had to overcome the things she had lived through, or suffer the disappointments she had faced. What possible claim could I have to a life better than hers? And yet, she wanted me as her role model. It was not something that I felt I could refuse.

"Elona, thats such a sweet thing for you to say. Im really touched."

She glanced at the phone.

"Are we going to send that, then?"

I looked at the message once more and read it out loud.

"Accept. What outfit wld u like me 2 wear for u, s.e.xy?"

Elona took the phone out of my hand and pressed the green b.u.t.ton.

"Too late for second thoughts now," I said.

A moment later, her mobile signalled the arrival of new mail so we excitedly opened her inbox. Elona held it up and read it out loud.

"Wot u have in mind? P x.x.xx"

"Look! Look!" shrieked Elona. "Hes added four kisses."

"Okay, girl. Hes taking the bait. Lets reel him in," I said confidently.

Elona handed me the phone again and I typed away. When I finished, I looked up at her.

"This is the last one I send, okay? After this youre on your own!"

Elona nodded. She read the message to herself and cackled again. We were like two schoolgirls swapping messages in cla.s.s with a boy. She pressed the green b.u.t.ton and away it went. In an instant, she read Phils reply out loud while jumping up and down.

"Skn-t.i.te and s.e.xy? Wow! Looking 4wrd to seeing you in it...and out of it..... Call right now!"

I got up and went to get my coat.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"You two should be alone, I think."