I'm starving. Greg was too upset to eat, so I didn't want to eat in front of him, and now I'm dying." I closed my eyes and exhaled through my nose. There it was. The Thai food test.
She kicks me out of my own home, spends 4 hours alone with another man, and then summons me back to bring her pad Thai like I'm a glorified delivery driver. She didn't even ask if I had eaten. She assumed I was just hovering in the ether, waiting to be reactivated to serve her. "No." I said. There was a pause on the line.
The chirpiness faltered. "No? What do you mean no? Just get the one on 4th Street. It's on your way.
Get the green curry." "I mean no. I'm not getting food, and I'm not coming back." She laughed. It was a nervous, confused little chuckle.
"What? Stop being weird. Where are you? Did you go to Mike's place? Stop joking."
"It's not a joke, Elena. You asked me to leave, so I left." Her tone shifted instantly. The brightness vanished, replaced by that familiar condescending edge she used whenever I stepped out of line. "Okay.
Look, I know you're feeling insecure right now, but don't be dramatic. I asked you to leave for an hour. It's been four. You're punishing me for helping a friend in crisis and it's really unattractive. I'm not punishing you, I said calmly.
I'm agreeing with you. What are you talking about? You said you needed privacy, I said. You were right. Privacy is important.
Boundaries are important and I realized tonight that I have zero privacy in my own home because I'm living with a third person who doesn't pay rent. Oh my god, she groaned. Are we really doing the I hate Greg thing again? He was crying, OP. He was suicidal.
He's always suicidal, Elena. Until he meets a new girl and then he's fine. Until she dumps him and then he's back on our couch. You are so heartless, she spat. I can't believe I'm dating someone with this little empathy.
Just come home. We can talk about this in person but bring food because I have a headache. I looked around the hotel room. The bed was made. The air conditioner hummed peacefully.
The door was double locked. I'm not coming home, Elena. Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Stop it, she snapped.
You're scaring me. Where are you sleeping? That's none of your business anymore. None of my I'm your girlfriend. Are you?