Chapter 9 - Intertwined

“Wow, you look amazing. I haven’t seen you in a long time.” Phil says walking toward my table, I look at him, wondering why he’s here. He has this huge smile on his face, once upon a time that smile made my heart skip a beat. I would do anything to have it directed at me. I look at his face trying to see if I still see him the same

“What do you want Phil?” I ask realizing that his smile does nothing for me anymore. Instead I’m annoyed. I hate what he’s doing to my sister; no woman should go through pregnancy alone.

“Oh, is that how you and I are greeting each other now?” He asks sitting down in the chair Chloe stormed out from.

“Yeah, we don’t have to exchange any pleasantries. We can get right to the point.” I say looking him straight in the eyes.

“Come on don’t be like that. You and I are friends. There was a time when we got along.” He says smiling at me.

“That’s in the past.”I say and he frowns at me, cocking his head to the side.

“You can’t tell me that you’re still mad at me about the whole Chloe thing. That was a long time ago. Come on Adira don’t be like that.” He says his smile growing bigger.

“And what if I’m still mad? That’s my business.” I say and he laughs.

“You can’t tell me that you still have feelings for me. I mean if you still do you can tell me.” He says touching his face softly and posing so I can see him.

“I do have feelings.”  I say and I see a little sparkle in his eye. He smiles with pride, he leans in licking his lips. “I feel like you’re full of crap for letting my sister get kicked out of the house and not giving her a place to stay.” I say and he sits back in his chair, looking away. That smug smile wiped off his face.

“I don’t see how any of that is any of your business. What happens between your sister and I has nothing to do with you. Stay out of it Adira.” He says looking at me with so much detest. It takes me aback by how he switched from a smile to anger.

“How I wish that was possible Phil. You don’t know how much I want to stay out of your shit. I wish you’d take care of your responsibilities so I won’t have to.” I say and he looks at me in confusion. “I’m being forced to take care of the baby you and Chloe made.” I say in explanation.

“I didn’t ask you to do that, why is this my problem?” He asks looking at me like he’s genuinely confused.

“Are you playing dumb right now? Do you really not know why this is your problem?” I ask and he shrugs at me. “You made a baby and you have to take care of it and the woman that birthed it.” I say and he opens his mouth to say something else. “If you didn’t want a baby then you should have taken precautions. Condoms are way less than a baby and a lot less noisy.” I say interrupting him and he looks at me like he hates me.

“I talked to Chloe, you don’t have to worry about anything.” He says as if I didn’t just speak. I look at him dumbfounded. Was he this dumb when we were dating? I can’t remember but if he was, I dodged a bullet.

“Phil, Chloe came to me to ask for money, my parents are kicking her out. There is a lot to worry about; you should get worried a bit more.” I say and I see him think about it for a moment he looks at me thoughtful and I think I’m finally getting through to him. I feel hope creep up my body, maybe he’s not that dumb after all. I sit there waiting for him to work through it; I hope he comes up with something that is worthwhile.

 There has to be a part of him that cares about his child, there has to be a small part of him that wants to do right by my sister. He sighs deeply looking at me.

“What do you want me to do?” He says and I feel my body deflate. This has to be a joke, this can’t be happening to me.  

“Have you been listening to me?” I ask frustrated.

“I don’t see how I can be of any help. I can’t help her carry the baby can I?” He asks laughing. I look at him not amused at all. He stops laughing when he sees I’m starting to get pissed off.

“She needs money, she needs a place to stay, she needs your support. She needs you to be a boyfriend and a father.” I say and he bulges his eyes at me.

“I’m not moving in with Chloe, your sister is a lot. I wouldn’t last a week with her.” He says looking at me horrified.

“Maybe you should have thought about that before you got her pregnant.” I say and he rolls his eyes at me. I shake my head at him; some of Chloe’s mannerisms have rubbed off on him. They both need to grow up and get their shit together

“Besides we are not together anymore.” He says looking me straight in my eyes for added effect I guess.

“But that doesn’t change the fact that the two of you are having a baby and she’s basically homeless.” I say looking right back at him. He’s not going to wiggle out of this one. Not if I’m being forced to take care of a baby that isn’t mine.

“Maybe I can give her some money. I don’t make much but I can give her a little right?” He says looking at me for confirmation.

“She needs a lot of money and you need to make sure she gets it.” I say and he makes a dissatisfactory sound at me.

“I should have just stuck with you. I wouldn’t be dealing with this shit right now.” He says reaching out to touch my hand.

“First of all fuck you, and secondly don’t ever disrespect me and my sister like that ever again. Get your shit together and take responsibility fro your actions.” I say giving him the evil stare. Who the fuck does he think he’s talking to?

“Okay, jeez I’m just kidding. No need to get all testy.” He says smiling at me like this is a joke. Well I’m not laughing; my sister and I are not toys he can play with anytime he pleases. He can’t throw one away when he’s bored with it and then pick up the other, until he’s bored again.

“Watch how you “kid”, I don’t want that bullshit around me.” I say getting serious.

“I’m sorry.” He says raising his arms up in defense.

“Good evening.” Simon says standing in front of our table. When I see his face, my body is overcome with a weird sense of calm. I look up at him smiling automatically. He smiles back at me.

“Hi.” I say all the stress I had a second ago forgotten, the guy sitting in front of me forgotten.

“How are you, I was hoping I would run into you, I’m so glad I did.” He says pulling a chair to sit down.

“I’m good.” I say instantly seeing him with new eyes. I realize right then that he feels different. His energy is different, I’ll admit it’s because he’s sitting right next to my ex but Simon is different.

“I’m Phil.” My ex says before I can get in another word. He offers Simon his hand to shake. Simon looks at me for a moment a question in his eyes, I nod and he takes Phil’s offered hand.

“Simon this is Phil.”I say introducing them.

“Her ex.” Phil chimes in and I almost roll my eyes at him even though I detest the mannerism.

“Nice to meet you Phil, her ex.” Simon says looking him over.

“Cool. I’ve never seen you around. Are you new in town?” Phil asks already going for the third degree.

“Yes, I am.” Simon says looking at me, smiling.

“That’s cool stuff, so you’re looking for someone to show you around?” Phil asks looking at me and then at Simon.

“Maybe?” Simon says winking at me. I chuckle at his playfulness.

“I work as a tour guide, I can show you around.” Phil says looking from me to Simon. His voice sounds a little panicked just then.

“Oh really? That’s interesting. I don’t think I need a tour guide right now but I’ll definitely put you in the back of my mind.” Simon says looking Phil straight in his eyes this time” For a few seconds they look at each other neither one talking.     

“Cool man.” Phil says cool the only word he can manage to say. “I think I’m going to get going now.” Phil says standing up. “I think we’ll talk more about this situation later. I’ll call you and we can talk some more.” He says looking at me, smiling. He stops moving for a bit looking at me and then at Simon. “Okay.” He says walking away.

“You were hoping to run into me?” I ask Simon when Phil walks out of the coffee shop.

“Yes. I was hoping we could go out on a date. I would love to spend more time with you.”He says and I smile at him.

“I would love to go out on a date with you.” I say and he smiles at me too.

“Great, this went better than I imagined.” He says and I look at him curious. “I thought of the worst case scenario.” He says and I laugh.

“I’m happy I surprised you.” I say and he nods. “When do you want to do this date thing?” I ask and he smiles at me shyly.

“Are you busy right now.” He asks and I shake my head no, smiling.