Redemption, second chances, new leases on life. . .
This week, Geoffrey Philp reminds us there is danger in hope.
This week, Geoffrey Philp reminds us there is danger in hope.
My BFF by Geoffrey Philp
Marlene
was my “ride or die” partner. From the moment we met in middle school, I felt
if Marlene needed a kidney, I would have given her one of mine. We were
inseparable until I met Greg in college. He was the love of my life and we’d planned
to get married when we graduated. But not before we received my mother’s
blessing.
A
lapsed Pentecostal—I was born out of wedlock—my mother’s life revolved around paying
for her sins by taking care of hospice patients. When I told her about our
plans and that Marlene was my bridesmaid, she grasped me by the hand. “Be
careful,” she said. “Envy can poison the most innocent heart.”
I
ignored her, of course. She was always so exaggerated about things and I wasn’t
surprised when she left the ceremony after we said our vows. But Greg and I didn’t
let that ruin our intimate reception. Marlene was by my side. “Friends for
life,” she said.
Even
when I got pregnant and confined to bed rest, Marlene and my mother took turns
taking care of me until my mother said it was either her or Marlene.
Marlene
didn’t fuss, but stopped seeing me. That’s when the fights started with Greg. I
understood what he was going through. He was paying all the expenses and the
baby was unexpected. But sometimes, Greg was brutal. He called me “fat” and “lazy.”
Then,
tragedy struck. I had a miscarriage. Greg blamed me and my mother. I thought my
marriage was over, but I wasn’t giving up without a fight. Determined to get
back in shape, I went back to the gym with Marlene. After our workouts, we reminisced
about old times.
“We
should do this more often,” I said and held her hand.
“We
should,” she said and placed her hand on mine.
Marlene’s
phone rang and she reached inside her purse. When Marlene pulled out her phone,
she giggled so much the phone dropped out of her hand.
When I
reached down to pick it up, Marlene squealed. “Nooooooo!”
I
looked at the screen. I recognized Greg’s penis. It had a mole on the tip.
“You
can have him.”
I threw
the phone on the floor, smashing the screen.
I went back to live with my mother. When she greeted me at the door, I felt her fingers tightening around my chest. She would be my only friend.
I went back to live with my mother. When she greeted me at the door, I felt her fingers tightening around my chest. She would be my only friend.
