Something New

“A fucking spectacle,” I said, softly chuckling.

“How do you feel about it? You relieved, or?”

“I don’t know what I am right now. Why do you ask?”

“Because you called me of all people. And we ain’t the type of people who just call each other to shoot the shit.”

“You’re right.”

“So, level with a nigga. What’s up?”

“I don’t know, Elijah. It’s like, I went to be normal and woke up in an alternate universe or something. What’s up is down, and what’s down is up. Nothing and nobody make any sense. It’s like, my mind and body are exhausted from all the push and pull of the day, but I couldn’t close my eyes if I tried,” I confessed, explaining my feelings as best I could.

“For what it's worth, I am sorry things didn’t work out the way you wanted them to.”

“Eh, it’s not your fault.”

“I think it might be.”

“How?” I frowned.

“I made a wish on a penny I found the other day. Must’ve come true.” Silence trailed behind his voice before laughter followed.

“You’re so annoying; you know that?” I chuckled.

“It made you laugh, though, right? Ain’t that what you supposed to do in situations like these?”

“I guess that’s all I can do.”

“Exactly.”

An exhausted sigh pushed past my lips. “I don’t know; sometimes, I think maybe I’m meant to be alone.”

“You tryna take a page out of my book now and say some shit that I would say just because you’re sad. Isa, you know damn well someone as amazing as you don’t deserve to be alone. What good would that do the world?”

I smiled. “You’re being kinder than you need to be right now.”

“Not even. It’s the truth.”

“Y’know, you’re the last person I thought I’d be getting a pep talk from right now.”

“Who better than me?” he boasted with a chuckle.

“Um, probably anyone.” I trumpeted a laugh. “Besides, I’m sure you have better things to do than try and cheer me up.”

“Isa, you good. Take up as much of my time as you want,” he assured me.

My fingertips tapped against the kitchen countertop as I contemplated the best way to tell him the actual reason behind my phone call. “Thanks, Elijah, there’s something I–”

“Besides,” he spoke up, cutting me off, “you’ve seen me cry. I can’t just write you off. Who knows who you’d tell,” he joked.

My heart rate quickened. The nicer he was to me, the harder it became to tell him the truth. “Do you think two people who met by chance could ever really have anything real together?” I blurted out, hoping to steer the conversation in a more serious direction.

“People meet by chance every day. The odds gotta be in someone’s favor, right?”

“I guess.”

“You really think you gonna be lonely for long? I’m sure there will be niggas lining up outside your door, ready to take that fool’s place. You’ll find someone who makes you smile and treats you good in no time,” he assured me.