Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 15:01:47 -0600 From: Karla Schulz Subject: Carrots and Celery Part Three Teaser Man you guys, I had no idea it'd been so long since the last chapter got posted. Sorry for the long wait. This IS just a teaser, not a chapter, but I'll post chapter 13 as soon as humanly possible. Happy whatever --- Friday. 8:35. The cafeteria. Kalvin High school. Winnipeg. Manitoba. The world, the Universe. "Yo," I mumble to Colin, sliding into a chair across from him. "Yau," He corrects cheerfully. You know, like that annoying visa commercial? I roll my eyes heavenward. "What's with the crab action?" He demands. "It's nothing," I shrug. "And here I was thinking it was something." "Just, like, I still haven't really talked to Celery. And it's been like, a long time. I guess I'm just fiending for a little contact," He smiles a bit, probably cause of my use of the word 'fiending'. Oz reference. "Haven't you called him?" He then asks, after he's done smiling. "Yeah, but he's always at work, or I'm out somewhere. We keep missing each other. It sucks. I mean, we've left messages and all that, but that doesn't cut it you know? I want him LIVE. Live and in person would be nice, but if I can't have that - I at least want live." He nods. "Understandable. But like, you're not out ALL the time. Neither is he I can only imagine. Can't you like, coordinate yourselves or something? Make some kind of a plan to both be home at the same time or whatever?" "We usually do that yeah, but it just hasn't happened." "So just keep calling him then. Eventually, he will be home." "I guess," Colin shakes his head. "Dude, what're you like, nervous? Explain to me how that's possible," He's incredulous. "It's just, it's been a bit weird between us lately. The last couple times we HAVE talked, it was a bit like, strained." His face clearly displays Colin's genuine concern. "I'm sorry to hear that man," I smile, gratitude like. "It's okay, I mean, it's not like we were fighting or anything. And I guess most of it is just me being stupid and nervous for no reason. But one weird thing - the very last time we talked, he told me he liked..." "That's fucked up - even so you've gotta make the call," throwing down his own Oz quote. "I know..." I drift off. "Dude, seriously! Is this like a rejection thing? You don't want to be the one to make the first move? Cause, um, news flash - you're MARRIED to the guy. You have his named tattooed to your wrist for fucks sake! I don't really think a phone call is going to like - give away your hand at this point - I'm pretty sure he already has something of an idea about how you feel. " "You may have something there," my voice wanting to be grudging but coming off more amused. "Sure I do. So, you'll call him?" I nod. "Yeah, I mean, I would have eventually anyway, or he'd have called me, but yeah. I'll call him. Tonight," Colin nods approvingly. "Good." The next morning, we meet up again, and Colin's first question to me is, "Did you call him?" I nod. "Yeah." "And was he there?" "No." "Did you leave a message?" "No," Colin doesn't bother concealing his disapproval. "It doesn't help! I call him -- and he's not there. So I leave a message. He calls back -- but I'm not there. He leaves a message. Then I do, then him. It's just going in circles," "Okay," Colin concedes the point, switching into supportive friend mode. It helps improve my mood, as does this thought, "Besides -- he's coming soon. SO soon Colin. Not even two weeks and he'll be here. And then it won't matter. He'll be here and everything will be fine," Colin nods and briefly squeezes my arm. "I'm sure it will be," but far off in a quiet place deep inside, I sense a doubt in both of us.