Promises (Excerpt)

For the majority of the story he sat in silence. He didn’t say anything, just let me get it out. I was trying to contain my sobbing when his voice rang through the speaker of my cell phone, sharper than I’d ever heard it before.

“Amanda.”

I didn’t reply. What was I supposed to say? I didn’t need his pity. I didn’t even want him to know. He didn’t need to know. But he did. He was fighting through someone else’s mound of bullshit.

“Amanda. Listen to me. Put your head between your legs and breathe.”

I did as he said. I fought to control the short breaths.

“Amanda, that stupid bitch wasn’t worth your time. Anyone who would tell you that was never your friend to begin with.”

I sat listening, wiping at my sodden face.

“I would never do that to you. I would never let that happen to you. Do you understand?”

 What was I supposed to say to that? I didn’t think I knew him long enough to consider believing him.

“Amanda. I would never do that to you. Do you understand me? Say yes.”

I found my head nodding before my brain could continue to second guess it all.

“Yeah. I understand.”

“No matter what happens, we’ll still be friends. Best Friends.”

As time passed we didn’t get to do our “Getting Wasted While Watching Boondock Saints” nights and we slowly drifted apart, but when I needed him he’d be there, and whenever he needed me, I’d grab my jacket and go.

It was harder when he moved from Pet Man to Paramedic. We didn’t get the chance to hang out as much since I had class on his only off days. But we always found a way to make it work. But like all relationships things faded. Weeks turned to months. Months turned to years. Glendale turned to Texas. California turned to London. 

It's a harsh reality when you realize the person that knows you best doesn't know you at all any more. That time passes so swiftly that you don't even have a chance to feel numb or feel the heartbreak. Some people come in to life to do good. to help heal you from the bad. They aren't meant to stay too long, only long enough to say what you need to hear.