I could not believe what I was hearing. A weird feeling of tension overcame my body. I was concerned over what my friend had become involved in, and if he was going to be ok. I felt hurt that he did not to come to me, when this all began in his time of need. I confronted him with this information to which he replied,
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“This is something I had to do on my own. I know you’re a little confused right now. Maybe on the Wednesday night in Vegas if I have enough drinks I will tell you a little more. Please be patient and lets not talk about this anymore I promise it will all be cleared up on the 23rd.”
I accompanied my friend to his house for diner that night. After a few minutes of playful banter with his family the phone rang. Rishi answered and once he acknowledged it was for him there was complete silence in the room. He spoke very cautiously and ushered the person on the other side away very rapidly. The whole scene was very awkward. Sitting there I thought to myself it must be his mystery person. The silence of everyone in the room heightened my curiosity. I concluded that his family must share my suspicion but not my information.
Friday March 1st at work I felt numb all over. All day my mind was racing and struggling between rushing to make assumptions and not rushing to judgement. I needed someone to talk to. We were Eight days away from our vacation. This was suppose to be a time of anticipation and relaxation for me, instead I only felt tension. I couldn’t take it anymore if I did not talk to someone I would go crazy. I could not betray my friend by sharing his story with anyone, but I also needed to remain sane. Finally, I decided to seek advice in a stranger someone I could talk
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to, someone who had no idea who my friend was. Pauline Lewis is my colleague. She is a straight shooting Southern Belle who is more like an Aunt than a friend or co-worker. She did not offer any advice but a listening ear. Keeping my friend anonymous, I found therapy in letting out my thoughts and fears. I felt better, but clearly my mind was still clouded.
Later that night in Brooklyn at my girlfriend’s dorm I was still not myself. Diana confronted me and asked, “What’s wrong with you tonight.” Once again this strange dilemma forced me into an uncomfortable position. I tried to lie, but she still seemed suspicious. Finally after a half hour long argument I admitted that something was wrong but I could not tell her. She persisted, trying to forced me to reveal details of my frustration but I resisted. In the next few days I slowly calmed, ever mindful and anticipating Wednesday March 13th where I planned to press for the details of this charade.
The next few days went by rapidly, but inside I remained tense. Finally our trip to Las Vegas arrived, as did the 13th of March. As the day went along my anticipation grew. We decided to gamble, but a problem arose. He wasn’t drinking enough. Suddenly the roulette wheel spun in our favor, with each
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successive win came vodka and orange juice. I ordered vodka straight up and encouraged him to do the same. After a few hours we were finally enamoured and headed back to our room at the MGM Grand.
Back at the room we shared a few jokes and prepared for bed, but I could not let this opportunity pass by. I began my assault of questions as he sat on his bed making entries into his journal. He responded, “I told you I might reveal some stuff to you in Las Vegas, but I decided to wait until the 23rd.” I became infuriated. I had no desire to wait any longer for answers. His response to my anger was to continue to make entries in his journal. I said to him in my final fit of rage, “I am going out. I don’t know what time I will be back, and one final thing I can not guarantee my availability for the 23rd.”
The next morning I awoke and we shared a few jokes about our drunken night. Without provocation Rishi began to reveal details of his new relationship. He said “I have been seeing someone for a few months now. Her name is Gloria. She is 55 years old. Before you comment let me finish! Gloria is an upscale white woman. I met her one day looking for directions, around the Marriot in Times Square. You know how you always say that I am attracted to an aristocratic
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English 101 Term Paper
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lifestyle, well Gloria is an aristocratic woman. If she throws a party politicians and celebrities show up. She lives in the city. Gloria is a very demanding high maintenance woman. When she wants to see me she sends a car for me. Lately when we see each other she insists on giving me money, and if I turn it down she gets real mad. The other day she bought me a charm from Tiffanies.
The woman is so high maintenance she has a boyfriend already. He is more for show there is no love between them. She tells me, I am everything he is not. I hope now you understand why I kept this from everyone. Can you imagine if I told my parents? They would have a fu*king fit. I tell ya Corby this is so hard for me.”
Before I could respond he added, “Our relationship is still new. I do not want anyone to bring down the feeling that I have.” I sat there torn between being a supportive friend or saying what I thought was right. I decided I had to be honest, “If Gloria makes you happy, then as you usually tell me, enjoy it while it lasts. My only concern is that she has you and another guy. Rishi I hope you know what you have gotten yourself into, be careful.” Before I could go on he said, “How long was I suppose to be by myself. You have Diana and Melissa has Peter. I know it’s a little unusual but Gloria makes me happy and I hope you can understand that and be supportive.”
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Ten days passed and we discussed him and Gloria in passing, making funny jokes about his older women. Tonight was the night I would meet Gloria, and he was already at my door. We fumbled over my clothing for the night’s events, his outfit looked as if it had been planned out for weeks. Finally we hurried down the stairs and into his car. I told him about my suspicion as to the whereabouts of Diana this evening. He said to me, “We are going to pick Gloria up in Bayonne. She has been staying at her sister’s house. I need you to forget about Diana for one night. Can you please do that for me?” He called Gloria on the phone. After an unpleasant exchange he turned to me and said, “Can you believe she’s in a f*cking bar!” He began driving like a maniac running red lights.
We arrived at a dimly lit corner bar in a quiet neighborhood. He called Gloria from outside the bar and uttered the words, “Gloria were coming in.” I felt nervous. I knew this night would change our friendship in someway forever. We entered the desolate bar, no sign of Gloria. He ushered me to the back down a dark hallway to a closed room. I offered to let him enter first but he insisted I lead the way.
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I entered the room, to a loud cry of, “Surprise.” It was my friends and family all gathered into this hallway. The familiar, “Happy Birthday to ya,” by Steve Wonder rang out from the speakers. I was very confused my birthday was five days away. Rishi’s sister asked me, “What did my brother tell you to get you to come?” I did not know what to say. Did she know about Gloria? Was I gonna meet Gloria tonight or maybe another day?
Gloria was a brilliantly sadistic plan hatched in the mind of a creative caring friend. It was a true testament to hard work planning and a team effort. I said earlier that I knew this night would change our friendship forever and it did. In that one night I was given a glimpse of the caring and love that my family, friends, and friend’s family have for me. My friend raised the bar for excellence with his performance and planning. The only question left is, what will I do for his birthday?