One night, no sooner than I arrived home from styling a client, I received a distressing call from Knox Greenburg. His mother, Mary, passed away! My heart sunk into my stomach. Mary was more than just a friend. She was more than a mentor. She was family. At times, she was more a mother than the sim who birthed me. I suppose you could say I was the black sheep—the disappointment. My mother wanted me to study law and follow in her footsteps.
I tried university, but it wasn’t for me. Besides, law is not colorful or fun, and it contains most of the letters in the word flaw. No, thank you.
I met Mary—and Anaya—during my brief tenure at Britechester University. She taught me to be ok with disappointing others in favor of doing what’s right for me. Too bad I never used that advice in my relationships. I lived briefly with the Greenburgs when I dropped out. I couldn’t go home, and Mary was so kind. True, she tried constantly to get me to go out with Knox, but they were good to me.
I eventually found a job and saved up to move out, although Mary insisted I didn’t have to go. Writing about recycling and going green wasn’t fun, but the experience was good. I never imagined myself as a writer, but I was good at it. Now I write to encourage others…and myself.
The news of her death threw me completely. I barely noticed the rain and how wet my hair got before opening my umbrella. I didn’t want to be alone. If I went in the house, I’d be a mess. I wasn’t ready to deal with my grief right then, so I went to the flower festival. Watcher bless you, Sulani, for always providing distractions.
Winston and I arrived around the same time. I was just steps behind him and tried to act normal. We’re friends, but we’re not friend friends. At least I wouldn’t expect him to help me through this right now. Grief support is a lot to ask of someone. So much for trying to act normal; he could tell something was off and asked what was wrong.
As much as I didn’t want to deal with my grief that night, the floodgates opened as I gave him the highlights of me and Mary’s friendship. He was great at distracting me and provided comfort as much as he was able. I must add he gives the BEST hugs.
I don’t want to read too far into this friendship because he could just be a really nice guy and a great friend. But when I gaze into his eyes, and he gazes back… The things I feel… What I want to do to him… I don’t know how long I can be just his friend.
