The night was March 23rd 8 P. M. and my best friend walked into my house fully dressed and ready to go. I spent my entire week ruing this moment. I have had a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach all day.
I know tonight will be a challenge of my patience, morals, and most importantly my friendship. Rishi walks into my house and finds me sitting on my bed not quite ready to go. One glance at me reveals the stress on my face and my discomfort with the impending struggle. He stares at me and says, " Come on lets go, tonight we are going to meet Gloria in the city, I need you to keep an open mind and be there for me.
The last few weeks have been very tough. I have done some things that I am not proud of. I know you're a little confused right now but by the end of the night it will all be clear. My life is gonna change from now on and I may not be around as much as I use to. I may do something that will make you mad at me soon you will understand. Gloria is a very possessive woman.
There are just some things I have to do on my own. You are the only one I am revealing this to and I ask that you do not rush to judgement and give Gloria a chance.On Thursday February 28th after an unfruitful trip to Brooklyn in search of my future place of residence, Rishi and I stood at Pier Eleven at the South Street Seaport awaiting the ferry to New Jersey. He had been very quiet that night in spite of our impending trip to Las Vegas in nine days. Very calmly and seemingly without predetermination he turned to me and said, "There is something I have been holding back.
I have tried many times to bring myself to tell you but I just could not. I know you have always been a person who's cool with everything but this is too much.I don't know if you can accept this. I have been seeing someone for about four months now.
Remember those times I told you I was going to the city by myself. Did you honestly think I went there to be alone? I have been so happy lately yet so torn. I have not shared this information with anyone else, not even my family. You know how you always thought one of your friends must be into something wild or unusual.
Well for me the last four months have been a time for experimentation. I know you have a lot of questions but I ask that you hold them back for now.I just need you to promise me two things, one is not to share what I have told you with anyone not even Diana, and the other is to clear what ever your doing on March 23rd because at that time I want you to meet this person. " I could not believe what I was hearing.
A weird feeling of tension overcame my body. I was concerned over what my friend had become involved in, and if he was going to be ok. I felt hurt that he did not to come to me, when this all began in his time of need. I confronted him with this information to which he replied, "This is something I had to do on my own.
I know you're a little confused right now. Maybe on the Wednesday night in Vegas if I have enough drinks I will tell you a little more. Please be patient and lets not talk about this anymore I promise it will all be cleared up on the 23rd. " I accompanied my friend to his house for diner that night. After a few minutes of playful banter with his family the phone rang.
Rishi answered and once he acknowledged it was for him there was complete silence in the room. He spoke very cautiously and ushered the person on the other side away very rapidly.The whole scene was very awkward. Sitting there I thought to myself it must be his mystery person. The silence of everyone in the room heightened my curiosity. I concluded that his family must share my suspicion but not my information.
Friday March 1st at work I felt numb all over. All day my mind was racing and struggling between rushing to make assumptions and not rushing to judgement. I needed someone to talk to. We were Eight days away from our vacation. This was suppose to be a time of anticipation and relaxation for me, instead I only felt tension.I couldn't take it anymore if I did not talk to someone I would go crazy.
I could not betray my friend by sharing his story with anyone, but I also needed to remain sane. Finally, I decided to seek advice in a stranger someone I could talk to, someone who had no idea who my friend was. Pauline Lewis is my colleague. She is a straight shooting Southern Belle who is more like an Aunt than a friend or co-worker. She did not offer any advice but a listening ear.
Keeping my friend anonymous, I found therapy in letting out my thoughts and fears. I felt better, but clearly my mind was still clouded.Later that night in Brooklyn at my girlfriend's dorm I was still not myself. Diana confronted me and asked, "What's wrong with you tonight.
" Once again this strange dilemma forced me into an uncomfortable position. I tried to lie, but she still seemed suspicious. Finally after a half hour long argument I admitted that something was wrong but I could not tell her. She persisted, trying to forced me to reveal details of my frustration but I resisted. In the next few days I slowly calmed, ever mindful and anticipating Wednesday March 13th where I planned to press for the details of this charade.The next few days went by rapidly, but inside I remained tense.
Finally our trip to Las Vegas arrived, as did the 13th of March. As the day went along my anticipation grew. We decided to gamble, but a problem arose. He wasn't drinking enough.
Suddenly the roulette wheel spun in our favor, with each successive win came vodka and orange juice. I ordered vodka straight up and encouraged him to do the same. After a few hours we were finally enamoured and headed back to our room at the MGM Grand. Back at the room we shared a few jokes and prepared for bed, but I could not let this opportunity pass by.I began my assault of questions as he sat on his bed making entries into his journal. He responded, "I told you I might reveal some stuff to you in Las Vegas, but I decided to wait until the 23rd.
" I became infuriated. I had no desire to wait any longer for answers. His response to my anger was to continue to make entries in his journal. I said to him in my final fit of rage, "I am going out.
I don't know what time I will be back, and one final thing I can not guarantee my availability for the 23rd. " The next morning I awoke and we shared a few jokes about our drunken night.Without provocation Rishi began to reveal details of his new relationship. He said "I have been seeing someone for a few months now. Her name is Gloria.
She is 55 years old. Before you comment let me finish! Gloria is an upscale white woman. I met her one day looking for directions, around the Marriot in Times Square. You know how you always say that I am attracted to an aristocratic lifestyle, well Gloria is an aristocratic woman. If she throws a party politicians and celebrities show up.
She lives in the city. Gloria is a very demanding high maintenance woman.When she wants to see me she sends a car for me. Lately when we see each other she insists on giving me money, and if I turn it down she gets real mad.
The other day she bought me a charm from Tiffanies. The woman is so high maintenance she has a boyfriend already. He is more for show there is no love between them. She tells me, I am everything he is not. I hope now you understand why I kept this from everyone.
Can you imagine if I told my parents? They would have a fu*king fit. I tell ya Corby this is so hard for me. " Before I could respond he added, "Our relationship is still new.I do not want anyone to bring down the feeling that I have. " I sat there torn between being a supportive friend or saying what I thought was right.
I decided I had to be honest, "If Gloria makes you happy, then as you usually tell me, enjoy it while it lasts. My only concern is that she has you and another guy. Rishi I hope you know what you have gotten yourself into, be careful. " Before I could go on he said, "How long was I suppose to be by myself. You have Diana and Melissa has Peter. I know it's a little unusual but Gloria makes me happy and I hope you can understand that and be supportive.
Ten days passed and we discussed him and Gloria in passing, making funny jokes about his older women. Tonight was the night I would meet Gloria, and he was already at my door.We fumbled over my clothing for the night's events, his outfit looked as if it had been planned out for weeks. Finally we hurried down the stairs and into his car. I told him about my suspicion as to the whereabouts of Diana this evening.
He said to me, "We are going to pick Gloria up in Bayonne. She has been staying at her sister's house. I need you to forget about Diana for one night. Can you please do that for me? He called Gloria on the phone.After an unpleasant exchange he turned to me and said, "Can you believe she's in a f*cking bar! " He began driving like a maniac running red lights.
We arrived at a dimly lit corner bar in a quiet neighborhood. He called Gloria from outside the bar and uttered the words, "Gloria were coming in. " I felt nervous. I knew this night would change our friendship in someway forever. We entered the desolate bar, no sign of Gloria.
He ushered me to the back down a dark hallway to a closed room. I offered to let him enter first but he insisted I lead the way.
