Part 32 (1/2)
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.