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1Part Two: The Mystery
Meryn hadn’t spoken to Natasha in over two months. Natasha had been one of her best friends. They worked at the same corporation, although in different departments. Natasha was in systems operations, and Meryn was an investment analyst, but they had worked on several projects together, and had become close, often calling each other several times a week, double dating, or just hanging out together on weekends. They would take turns consoling each other over failed relationships, although Natasha always blamed the men for her failures, always being the one to break it off, while Meryn most often blamed herself, trying to figure what she had done wrong. Natasha always chided her for this, and said that men were basically skunks, and needed to be molded into useful arm candy, and she was going to find one, you better believe it. So far she apparently hadn’t been very successful, but that didn’t seem to bother her much.
So when Meryn and Rick began going out regularly, she thought Natasha would be happy and supportive of her. But Natasha had quickly taken a dislike for Rick, and rarely failed to let Meryn know it. It didn’t help that Rick didn’t particularly like Natasha either, so over time Meryn and Natasha drifted apart, the phone calls and getting together becoming less frequent, and finally ending. They would see each other at work occasionally, say hello and exchange a few superficial pleasantries, making a point of avoiding mentioning Rick.
Things had reached the breaking point about two months earlier when she saw Natasha at work looking more that usually happy and vivacious. Curious, Meryn approached her and asked how she was doing. “Certainly better that you.” Natasha had replied, and while Meryn didn’t understand exactly what that had meant, she did realize that in some way it was a dig at Rick, and it had angered her. She hadn’t spoken to Natasha since.
Well, maybe Natasha had known something at the time that Meryn only found out later. It certainly seemed that Natasha had been right about Rick, but that didn’t make it any easier. This was without doubt the lowest she had ever felt after a breakup, and she realized she sorely missed having Natasha to talk to about it, to bulk up her spirits, and help her pick up the pieces. So one night, swallowing her pride, she called Natasha on the phone.
“Tash, this is Meri.”
“Meri! How great to hear from you. This is fantastic. How are you doing? Oh what a stupid question.”
“No, its not really, and I’m glad you didn’t hang up on me.”
“Hang up on you? Never. I’ve missed you so much, especially now, but I didn’t think you wanted to talk to me. I was so glad when I heard you had broken up with Dickhead. No, that’s not right of me. I know you liked him, and I shouldn’t be saying things like that right off the bat.”
“Oh, that’s alright Tash. It isn’t as if you weren’t right about him”
“More than you know Meri.”
Meryn let that one pass. God, had it been even worse than she had known?
“You were too good for him Meri. You’ve always been too good for any of them, but especially him.”
“Yeah, well in this case you’re probably right. But what am I supposed to do? It’s not like I choose them to be like this.”
“Maybe you do. But that’s an old argument between us. What you really need to find is a man who knows you’re too good for him and acts accordingly.”
“Right. But that’s much easier said than done.”
“No, believe me, it’s actually easier done than said.”
“What’s that supposed to mean, Tash?”
“It’s just that there are more situations like that around than you would ever believe.”
“Yeah, like you’ve been so successful finding the right one.”
Natasha didn’t answer right away and Meri worried that she had offended her, but they had always been able to jibe each other playfully. Then another thought came to her.
“You’re not saying that you’ve got something going, are you Tash?”
Again Natasha did not answer right away, but then she went on.
“Well, I... Oh what the hell. I’ve been dying to tell someone, and who better than you Meri. Especially now.”
“Tell me what?”
“You know I’ve never been satisfied or happy with the types of relationships I’ve had in the past, and so I started looking for something different.”
“Yes?”
“Meri, I’ve got to tell you I’ve found something that’s changed my life, and it’s absolutely fabulous. I’ve never been happier.”
“What? Tell me what you’re talking about?”
“No, it’s better that I show you Meri. Yes, definitely. And Meri, I think it’s something that would be perfect for you too. Really. If you just keep an open mind.”
“Tash, stop being so mysterious will you, and tell me.”
“No Meri. It’s better this way, believe me. Can you come to my place for dinner Friday night? You’ve got to come, and you’ll see everything. I won”t take no for an answer.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll come. But this better be as good as the build up.”
“Even better. Great. 7 o’clock. I can’t wait to see you and show you what’s happened for me. And I really do think it could be great for you too Meri. Just keep an open mind. Friday then.”
“Sure Friday. I’ll be there Tash.”
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