Jacque & Tupac (special preview)

Everyday Mirian had friends coming over, passing on advice, helping out, and letting her nap. All that nice stuff, which shouldn’t make me jealous, but it really made me jealous. Mirian has so many friends, and why shouldn’t she? She’s amazing! I am often awed at the ease in which she can make them. It made me question why she was with such an awkward freak of a loser like me. She could have had anybody, and yet she’s saddled to me. Poor Bridget, I do pray often that she is a carbon copy of her mother and nothing like me at all.

But Mirian’s friends got me to thinking about how I should try to adapt. I should try and make friends with my coworkers, much like Mirian does. So, during lunch, i started joining the rest of the lumberyard. I joined in on their breaks and despite a rocky start where I almost gave away my sexual history, I was starting to knit myself into their ranks.

“Hey Jacking boy,” one of them hollered at me one day as I was heading to the truck. “We’re going out drinking tonight? Wanna join us or what?”

“Oh really?” I gasp. “Well, I’ll have to call Mirian, see if that’s ok.”

The men laugh. “Cut the ball and chain for the night! One night ain’t going to kill her.”

I’m a bit confused but I still give Mirian a call anyways. I always handled nights so she could catch up on things, so I know they were important to her.

“Hello?” She answered the phone in a hushed quiet voice.

“Oh, hey,” I start. “Listen, Mirian, I know you wanted me home tonight. But the guys here at work invited me out so-”

“Oh really? That sounds like fun. You should go.”

I’m shocked. I thought she’d be mad, even disappointed. “Really?” I blurt out.

“Sure,” he voice is still hushed and low. “Mama is going to take Bridget tonight so it’ll be nice for me to have the whole place to myself. We both deserve some alone time every now and then.”

“Is this a trap?” I ask.

“I can’t laugh, it’ll wake her up!” She scolds. “Enjoy a night out. I love you.”

“Love you too.” I’m still not sure what to think even as I hang up. I feel like a bear trap is going to snap up at any instant and rip my leg off. As I go to the bar with the rest of my coworkers I still have this looming dread around me.