Part 32 (2/2)
”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 wis.h.!.+ 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.”
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