Page 40 of Lovebug
“Hide it from you? How do I hide it from you?”
“You don’t go below the surface with us,” Calliope explains. “Which leads me to believe you don’t go below the surface with anyone.”
“It’s true. She doesn’t.”
“Cyndi!” I scold.
“I’m sorry, but you don’t.” She shrugs. “I’m your oldest friend, and I can count on one hand the number of times you’ve confided in me about your feelings. Other than your general state of happiness, which you constantly spread like sunshine.”
“And what is wrong with that?” I ask. “Isn’t that what we’re all supposed to aspire to? Happiness? I’m already there. I’m happy! Sue me!”
“No one is happy all the time,” Lou says.
“I know that. Of course I know that. I just… choose to focus on the positive. If that makes me fake or-or-or a bad friend or something, then whatever!”
“You’re not a bad friend, Mabes,” Cyndi says. “You’re an amazing friend. Always there for everyone else. As your friends, though, it would be nice if you’d allow us to be there for you sometimes.”
It’s silent for a moment as all three of them stare at me.
I’m not comfortable with this kind of attention.
“You know what? I’m not really enjoying this… intervention. I think I’m gonna go.”
I start packing up my things.
“Mabel, no!” Calliope cries. “I’m only here for tonight. All day tomorrow, I’ll be celebrating the niece and nephew. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to visit next.”
“So why are we wasting our time doing this?” I say, Calliope completely proving my point. “Why can’t we just have fun? I mean, I have to say, I’m finding it a little upsetting that instead of my friends celebrating my engagement with me tonight, they’re grilling me and judging me instead.”
“No one’s grilling you, Mabel. We just want to make sure you’re happy and—”
“Well, Iwasuntil all this started!” I exclaim.
“Guys, can I offer some perspective?” Louise interjects. “Oh wait, we’re supposed to make an effort not to address groups of women as ‘guys’ anymore, right? Gosh, hard habit to break. Because what’s the alternative? Ladies? Friends? Humans?”
“We can wrestle with the repercussions of engaging in gendered greetings later,” Calliope says. “For now, let’s keep Mabel from fleeing, yeah? What perspective were you offering, Lou?”
“Oh. Yes. Okay. From my own experience with interventions, particularly those where you want someone to see the light about a less-than-ideal relationship they are in?”
“Yeah?”
“The harder you push, the harder they hold on. Mabel’s a big girl. She can make her own decisions.”
“Thank you, Lou,” I say.
“You’re welcome.”
“Now, can we relax on the third degree and just have fun? Please?”
Calliope looks at me with intensity as she considers. “Yes, Mabel. Yes, we can.”
I exhale. “Thank you. James? Another round, please!”
Chapter Eight
“That’s actually a misconception,” I explain. “She doesn’t always decapitate him after they mate.”
“Oh, good.” Calliope exhales, relieved.
