Justin

I woke up Saturday afternoon and she was gone. When I went downstairs to see if Trace was home I heard him talking to someone on the phone so I decided to just get dressed and grab something to eat without him, a nearly fatal decision on my part.

Walking really helped me clear my mind about what happened with Lani the night before. I know for a fact that if I were completely sober I wouldn’t have kissed her, but I can’t say that I was regretting what happened. Even though at the time I was pissed that Trace interrupted, when I woke up I was grateful that things didn’t go any further; I don’t know how mine and Lani’s newly formed friendship would have changed if we had gone further and had sex.

When I found what I was looking for, Café Metro, I went inside to eat but second guessed my choice of restaurant when I heard a familiar voice but couldn’t find the face to go along with it. I was engrossed in my laptop, minding my own business, going through the design I was currently working on when I heard the chair on the other side of the table drag against the floor.

“Hey Justin.” I looked up from what I was doing and was met with Jocelyn.

“Hi.” Out of all the places in New York to eat I picked the same place as her.

“How have you been?”

“I’ve been really good, what about you?”

“Actually I’ve been great. I just finished getting my Masters in Education over at Columbia. I’m really happy with the point I’m at right now.” It was then that I noticed the huge ass ring on her left ring finger.

“I see that…” I guess she noticed me glance over at the ring.

“He’s a great guy.”

“Have you’ve been together since…” I didn’t even want to ask, but I had to know if this was the guy that made her realize she didn’t want to wait for me anymore.

“Yeah.” I don’t understand why she was acting so ashamed and hiding it from me. I didn’t care…that much.

“That’s cool though Joce, I’m really happy for you.”

“Thanks. So enough about me, I’ve heard from people that they’ve seen you around with someone. Who’s the lucky lady?”

“People like who?”

“People like Jeff and Ricky.” I had forgotten that two of my coworkers, and friends, are still really good friends with Jocelyn. I reminded myself to tell them that my personal life was none of her business.

“I don’t know what they’re talking about.”

“Oh come on. Jeff says she’s quite the looker, beautiful Puerto Rican girl. He told me that she brought you food to the office for a week straight one time when you guys were working late. She sounds like a real keeper Just.” I couldn’t help but notice the sarcasm in her voice.

“Yeah she is.”

“So you guys are together?”

“If you want to call it that.” I couldn’t help but lie. Would you tell an ex who is engaged and happy that you’re still miserably single if you had the chance to stretch the truth? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

“You know, from what they tell me, I can’t help but notice the similarities. Are you even over what happened yet?” There was the jealous bitch that I knew.

“Excuse me? Why wouldn’t I be over what happened? Enlighten me.”

“Well, she’s Puerto Rican, I’m Puerto Rican. Obviously her hair is curly, as well as mine. Ricky said she seems very stubborn and like she’s a good-girl. Aren’t those characteristics I possess?”

“First of all, she’s Black and Italian. Africa and Italy are nowhere near Puerto Rico incase you haven’t realized that. And whose hair isn’t curly these days? For God’s sake my hair is curly, does that mean I’m trying to be like you? As far as the good girl part goes, you are anything but; in fact Jocelyn, you’re one of the easiest people I know. I’m happy that you’ve found someone who can give you what you need, really I am, but don’t sit here and try to accuse me of dating girls who are like you to fill some void I have for you. Don’t flatter yourself Jocelyn.”

“Have a good day Justin.” I really didn’t mean to come off as harsh as I did, but seriously I hate girls who are like her. It was then that I realized why we weren’t together, and I was glad to be miserably single if I had the opportunity to be miserably engaged to that bitch.

I used to love Jocelyn and used to think that she was the girl I was going to spend the rest of my life with, and then I came back down from outer space. I guess you can say that our situation was similar to the situation Dominic and Lani were in; both of us were at different places in our lives. I wanted to be young and live my life and establish myself in the architecture world while she wanted me to commit to her and put a ring on her finger. I was getting tired of being the nice one in our relationship, Jocelyn is one of those girls who expect their boyfriend to buy anything and everything, even if they didn’t need it; that’s not me at all, I worked hard for my money and didn’t want to waste it on her.

I was with her for three years before we decided that we needed to get our shit together, apart. After about three months of our trial separation she called me and told me that she was moving on with someone who was ready to grow up and give her what she wanted, and that was probably the last time I spoke to her. By the time I was 24 I loved and lost.

I was fed up with being out by the time I was done eating so I made my way back to my condo and was met with Rae, Trace, and Lani sitting around watching old home movies (yeah I don’t know why either).

“Hey Justy!” Justy? Were they drinking already at 4?

“Hi…”

“We tried to call your cell to see if you wanted to hang out with us but it was turned off.”

“Yeah I left it upstairs. Sorry. But can I ask what the hell you guys are doing?” I sat down next to Lani and looked at the plasma TV screen which had a video of Trace and I playing at the moment, and then I heard my mom call me Justy from behind her camera. Oh god.

“Trace was cleaning out his closet and found these so we decided we needed a good laugh.” I looked over at Trace who shrugged his shoulders.

“Don’t look at me man, it was Rae’s idea. She made Lani bring over a backpack filled with movies of them too. You came home just in time.”

After an hour of hysterical laughing at the younger versions of Trace and I, Lani managed to contain her amusement long enough to speak.

“So, as you all know, my birthday is next Friday.”

“I didn’t know that.” She shot me a dirty look and ignored what I said.

“Anyways, I gotta go out to dinner with my family that night, but Saturday I was thinking we could drive up to the Hamptons for the weekend if you guys can’t get off of work. I’ll be there for the whole week with my Dad and Gianni, but he said I’m welcome to invite people to stay there too. And since you guys are the only people I deem worthy enough to spend this fantabulous holiday with me, I’m inviting you guys to come and go as you please.”

“Fantabulous? And who said your birthday is some sort of regal holiday?”

“Are you in or not?”

“If I can get some time off of work, I’m down.” Who was he kidding? Trace can get any time off of work he wants to; shit he’s his own boss.

“Chica you already know I scheduled in vacation time at the salon months ago.” Everyone in the room turned and looked at me for my answer.

“I guess I can put in some extra office time this coming week so I can get the week off to stay there. You’re lucky that I like you Lani.” I wasn’t expecting the gigantic hug that came with my agreeing to spend the week with them, but it came and it was the most affection (that hasn’t been induced by tragedy) she’s ever showed me since we’ve been friends. God damn and it felt good.