Empowerment. Engagement. Authenticity.
Overheard - The Ex-Factor
“I can’t believe he said that. Gosh, honey, I’m
so sorry.”
I should have known.” The words hiccupped out. “The way he went on about
her…”
Dashing past girls I only labelled as Consoler and Sniffles, I slammed
into a bathroom stall. If you’re going to guzzle tea all day, my
straining bladder screamed, at least remember to pee.
“He had no right to treat you that way,” Consoler clucked.
“He said – he said – to connect with her ‘cause I need a role model.
Like I’m some kind of loser or something!” Sniffles burst into sobs.
I had to chuckle. Men didn’t know what the hell they wanted. Hadn’t one
broken up with me just to turn around and ask me to be his roommate?
‘Don’t want you as a girlfriend but pick me up something nice for
dinner. My new girl’s coming over. Remember she’s lactose intolerant.
Oh, and grab me some tuna, will you?’ Never did find out if the clueless
bastard enjoyed the macaroni salad – heavy on the mayo – and the Fancy
Feast Cat Treats I’d delivered.
“You’re not a loser, sweetie,” Consoler maintained that saccharine drawl
that was intended to soothe but that always made me want to gag. “He’s
the loser for not seeing how special you are.”
“You think – you think if I stick with him he’ll see that?” The
teetering hope in Sniffles’ voice was almost painful.
I rolled my eyes. Sure he will. Hindsight is 20/20 and every girl has a
purpose until – to paraphrase my ex – that purpose is done and his
feelings for you are dead. ‘We have a verbal contract that you’ll get me
through these English courses.’ He got his A and I got – well, actually
I got some damn good writing to post on my website. Take that, asshole.
“Who am I kidding?” Sniffles wailed. “He has her on a pedestal. Bet he
remembered to talk to her while he was on vacation. Told me it was
always too late or he was too tired to talk to me.”
“Well, he’s not worth your time,” Consoler declared.
And I’d wasted enough time strolling down a litter-strewn memory lane. I
flushed, walked over to the sink to wash my hands and smiled politely at
the red-rimmed eyes that swiveled in my direction.
“Ex-cuse me,” I said, reaching past Sniffles for a paper towel.
(c) Kristy Kassie, 2016
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Inspiration in Writing
Conversations overheard on the train, in the bathroom or in the elevator can provide great content for a story.
