“I tried.” He went back to his homework and the pseudo-incest homoerotic home show.
I went back to my ironing.
I was strong.
I was fierce.
I could do this.
I would ignore Darren Mayne.
I was not curious in the slightest about what he wanted.
Obviously, it would lead to nothing good.
I didn’t care.
I lasted one minute and twenty-seven seconds.
I felt like a failure.
I’m ignoring you, I wrote, because I thought maybe he should know. It’s always easier to ignore someone when they know you’re ignoring them. It’s also more delicious that way.
The response was immediate: Why?
Me: You don’t seem to understand what being ignored means
Darren: Maybe because I’ve never been ignored in my life
I bristled at that, because what a fucking asshole. I put down my phone, figuring I’d heard all I needed to hear. I picked the iron back up. I hummed to myself.
I lasted sixteen seconds.
Me: Why are you texting me?
Darren: Does it matter? This isn’t the first time
Me: That is beside the point
Darren: Why did you delete my number?
Me: Why wouldn’t I? I only had your number because of Paul and Vince. And then I didn’t need it anymore. We’re not texting buddies.
Darren: Texting buddies?
Me: Yes, I regretted using that term as soon as I hit send
Darren: You should regret. I regret it for you
Me: What do you want?
Darren: We need to talk
Me: So you said. We have nothing to talk about
Darren: My brother and your best friend are getting married
Me: And?
