Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned 1)

We play three rounds. I win the first two and I’m actually happy when Meems wins the other. I jump off the sofa and tackle her to the ground saying, “You want a piece of me?”

I’m even happier when she bursts out laughing. Mimi seems a lot happier these days.

Just as I jump off of her I hear Nat say loudly, “This game sucks. ”

Oh poop!

Ghost smirks at her and responds, “No. You suck. ”

Why, oh why, Ghost?! Don’t taunt the bull!

Nat stands and leans toward him over the table. I see her eye twitch.

That can’t be good.

She whispers in eerie calm, “Oh yeah?”

Ghost doesn’t even look at her when he replies a firm, “Yeah. ”

Nat picks up the board and throws it across the room. It hits the wall and bits and bobs fly everywhere. Then she stands and walks coolly to the sofa where she plops down and says sullenly, “I’m bored. ”

I smile and look over to a shocked Max, a chuckling Ghost, and a pissed Lola.

I say sweetly, “I told you so. ”

Max nods his head and says, “Game over, Red Rover. ”

***

“Daddy?”

I look to the monitor but see Tina is already making her way to the kitchen for a glass of water for Ceecee.

Smiling to myself, I think about how perfect a mom she’d be.

Then suddenly I’m frowning. Because we won’t ever experience that together.

Max watches Tina with a small smile.

She has been the perfect role model for Ceecee. She’s a successful business owner with good manners who loves to cook and involve Ceecee in everyday things. Her advice to Max about letting Ceecee be independent has really paid off, too. She gets herself ready for school, makes her own breakfast, and is generally happier. It was hard for Max to let go. He was so used to doing everything for Ceecee. Part of it being he liked being needed by her.

I think he worried he would be left out of Ceecee’s life if he didn’t have to do anything for her.

Tina

disappears down the hall and we all resume playing.

Half hour passes and Tina hasn’t returned.

Sherlock Holmes time.

I creep down the hall and find Max eavesdropping on Tina and Ceecee. He looks like he wants to laugh. I tap his shoulder. He turns and holds a finger to his mouth.

I hear Tina first. “The thing about makeup is that less is more. You put on a ton of makeup and you’ll end up looking like a clown!”

Ceecee doesn’t speak for a long moment then responds with, “But I like clowns. ”

Tina’s voice sounds wistful as she says, “Yeah, me too. ” Then she excitedly offers, “Ooh! Next time the circus is in town we’ll go!” I can practically hear her bouncing up and down.