chapter 15

Julie

"May started the conversation with, 'Hey, Julie, what do you think about high school reunions?'

I shot back with my typical sarcasm, 'Here's what I think of high school reunions: if I haven't contacted you in the last 30 years, there's probably a reason.'

May chuckled, 'Wow, girl, your sarcasm is still there. And, by the way, we're not 30.'

I couldn't resist, 'I wasn't always this sarcastic. It took me many years of dealing with assholes to become this good at it.'

May tried to make amends, 'Well, you should have written a letter to at least let me know how you are doing.'

I replied, 'Really, May? If you didn't realize we live in the era of smartphones and stupid people. In this age of smartphones, I thought letters were reserved for treasure maps and Hogwarts acceptance letters."

May questioned, 'God, Julie, are you saying I'm stupid?'

I replied, keeping the sarcasm alive, 'I'm sorry I hurt your feelings when I called you stupid. I really thought you already knew.'

May tried to smooth things over, 'Look, Julie, I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. I was such a bitch when my brother ended up in the hospital, okay?'

I reassured her, 'It's okay, May, but don't change yourself so people will like you. Be yourself, and the right people will love the real you.'

Then, Nate made an entrance, exclaiming, 'Look who we have here, the bitch herself.'

I rolled her eyes and retorted, "Nate, you've got to work on your insults. You're about as intimidating as a fluffy kitten."

I rolled my eyes, 'F*** Nate, I don't think there will be enough coffee or middle fingers for this moment.'

Nate played along, saying, 'Oh, princess, that hurt my feelings like hell, hahaha!'

I had a quick retort, 'Look, if I wanted to kill myself, I would climb your ego and jump to your IQ.'

The banter continued as May chimed in, 'Sometimes I wonder: how do you put up with me? Then I remember, oh, I put up with you, so we're even.'

We settled down, and another guy, Ian, asked, 'So, tell me, why don't you guys come to the party with us more often?'

May and I replied in unison, 'Those who don't socialize much aren't actually anti-social; they just have no tolerance for drama and fake people.'

I added with a smirk, "That's right, Ian. Drama and fake people are about as appealing as a three-hour lecture on the history of lint."

As the evening continued, May's phone rang. She checked the caller ID, and it was her ex.

I couldn't help myself as I said , "May, darling, don't answer that call. You've already hung up on him once, don't make him the world record holder for the fastest hang-up."

May turned to me for advice, 'So, Julie, should I pick up or not? I mean, all he keeps saying is how he wants me back, but I don't feel that way about him.'

I gave her some motherly advice, still seasoned with sarcasm, 'When the past calls, let it go to voicemail; it has nothing new to say. Listen, May, those who hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now unless you hold on to the pain through resentment. Your past is past; nothing will change it. You're only hurting yourself with your bitterness. For your sake, learn from it and then let it go.'

Nate teased, "Listen to Julie, May. She's the sage of sarcasm and wisdom."

I replied, "You know it, Nate. Wisdom, sarcasm, and an unlimited supply of caffeine – my secret to eternal youth."

May appreciated the advice, adding her own touch of sarcasm, 'Omg, Julie, I've missed this, your motherly advice, although you should sometimes take your own advice into consideration.'

When May mentioned that I should take my own advice sometimes, Nate couldn't resist chiming in. "She's got a point, Julie. You're pretty good at dishing it out; maybe you should take some too."

I gave a sly smile, "Nate, I take sarcasm like I take my coffee: strong, bitter, and in large doses."

I excused myself, 'Okay, okay, I try still. But I need to go home now; I need to make a few calls.'

Back in my room, I called Mary to check on Angel, keeping the sarcasm at bay.

After a warm conversation, I heard a knock on my door, and Alex entered.

I couldn't resist a sarcastic jab, 'Oh, it's just you. What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay away from me, so Sara will keep her hands and body to herself?'

Alex was undeterred, 'Yes, you did, but can we talk?'

I continued, 'Why do you want to end up in the hospital too?'

Alex persisted, 'No, but can you please stop being a bitch and let us just talk? By the way, she's in Italy.'

I reluctantly agreed, 'Aah, okay, so talk. I'm listening, but if you're here to talk about her, you better forget it, because she's the last thing I ever want to talk about.'

Alex moved closer, their conversation shifting to a more serious tone. 'I know she hurt you and so many people too, but she really is sorry about that. She feels guilty for everything that happened, and she's hoping you can find a place in your heart to forgive her.'

I responded firmly, keeping my sarcasm at bay, 'No, Alex, no, there's no way in hell I would forgive her. Her feeling guilty is a feeling she brought on herself. She deserves to feel that way, maybe even worse. I should have hit her hard in the head so she wouldn't send you to come say stuff like this. And, by the way, even if I wanted to believe you, I can't because she always says she's sorry when deep down she's not.'

Alex attempted to reason with me, 'Come on, Julie, you know her better than me, to know when she really means she's sorry.'

My skepticism remained, 'No, Alex, I don't. I'm just a stranger like you, just someone who has no idea what kind of person she is. And, by the way, I'll soon be on my way to the hospital, so if you're done talking, you might as well leave, because I'm running late before visiting hours are over.'

With the conversation wrapping up, I revealed my plan for the day, 'So, who are you going to visit?'

With a touch of sadness, I added, 'I'm going to visit Kyle. Today is his birthday, and I always go over to spend a few hours with him before it's over.'"