three: decisions are made and not fought

song: kids by mgmt

POV: Anna

It was a long haul to Montreal. I was surprised I actually made it, given that I had to take a train, go on a ferry, take another train and eventually a taxi. As I arrived outside of Carey and Julie’s apartment, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I was finally out of Buffalo.

Within two minutes, Julie opened the front door to the apartment building and pulled me into a hug, “Annnnnaaaaa....how are you dear?”

I hugged her back, “Oh, I’ve been better.”

“I bet,” Carey said, taking my suitcase, “Alright, let’s get this over with.”

“CAREY.” Julie said warningly.

“I don’t mind, really,” I told her, knowing Carey wasn’t too fond of me, “It’s cool.”

“It’s not cool. You’ve been through a tough time.” Julia said, leading me up the stairs.

“What exactly happened, anyway?” Carey asked as we reached the apartment.

I sighed, “It doesn’t matter. Ryan just doesn’t love me anymore.”

“Come on, Anna...”

“It’s true. I am not waiting for him anymore.”

Carey carried my bag into the living room and set it by the couch, “Ok, we don’t have a spare bedroom, so you’ll be sleeping out here. Julie has some extra blankets and pillows for you.”

“That’s great, thanks,” I replied, “This means alot, you guys...”

Carey waited until Julia was out of earshot, “So, you’ll only be staying for, like, a week...right?”

I threw myself on the couch, “Oh shit...this thing is so comfortable...”

“Because...Julia and I...we have, you know...plans and things...”

I perked up, “Oh yeah, that’s totally cool. It’s all good. I can, you know, sit out here and watch pay per view, eat some Zoodles...ignore the noise.” I snickered at the last bit as Carey turned red.

“Anna, stop scaring him,” Julia warned, placing my blankets on the floor by the couch, “And, just so you know, we have a few rules in this house.”

I flipped backwards on the couch, “Heh, I can almost touch my butt with my nose.”

Carey rolled his eyes and walked out.

“I love you and all, but you can’t be very...how you say...explicit around Carey. It frightens him.”

I sat up, “Ok. I can deal with that.”

“And no payper view.”

“WHAT?”

“Seriously. And last rule of the house: no bringing boys home.”

I crossed my arms, “Julia. I would never bring a guy back here.”

“Good to know,” Julie gave me a quick hug, “And remember, if you need anything, I’m always closeby.”

I smiled, “Thank you, so much.”

“Jule baby, can we talk for a minute?” Carey asked, grabbing her by the wrist, “In private?”

“Um, sure...” Julia was led away by Carey. I decided to dig through my suitcase and pull out my yoga mat. It was time for me to become a flying seahorse.

-

“Our love life is ruined.”

“Carey, it is not. She’s not going to be that bad.”

“Are you kidding me? Do you even know who you’re dealing with here?”

“She’s going to buy payper view. And eat Zoodles.”

“Look, it won’t be that bad. She just needs some time away, to figure things out. She’ll find a job and a place in no time. Don’t worry.”

“Are you sure we shouldn’t just call Ryan and beg him to take her back?”

“No, we cannot.”

“Fine then. I’ll put an ad in the paper and if no one comes to claim her, we’ll put her down. Or take her to the pound.”

“Carey, that’s not funny.”

“I was semi-serious.”

“She needs us right now.”

“She needs ritalin.”

“Ok, listen, if things get too crazy around here...we’ll give Ryan a call. Find out his side of the story. There’s got to be some kind of love left in him. They were together for, like, three years.”

“THANK YOU.”

“But first, I think we should take her out for some dinner. You know, give her a good time. Help her let loose a little, you know?”

“I’m not going to Chuck E. Cheese.”

“That was only once, and she was drunk.”

After listening in on their conversation, I decided to open their bedroom door.

“Great! I’ll freshen up and we can go out for some chow!”

Carey looked at me like I was insane, “Um, this was a private conversation, you know.”

“Yeah, it was. But I’m so glad you’re taking me out. I need to forget about Ryan and move on with my life.” I said with a grin.

Julie forced a smile for Carey, “She’s right. Let’s unpack your suitcase, Anna.”

Out for a night with the Pricey Pair. Sounded like dinner and a show.