A Kiss to Last a Lifetime

A Birthday to Remember part 2

I felt like the air had been knocked out of me. I stood up, but sat down immediately and asked my last questions. "Does she know you and I were together when you two fvcked? Why didn’t you tell me you were not interested in being with me the last time you visited? You could have told me this before our last make out session. Did you tell her about that? It was after you slept with her. If you had lost interest before you came here, why not ask me to meet you somewhere we didn’t have our first date? Now the only thing I will associate this place with will be hurt. Are you two in a serious relationship?" I could feel the tears at the back of my eyes. I wanted to put up a dignified front, but he was blowing lies out like it was the air we breathe.

At that moment I remembered our last kiss. It was passionate, and something didn’t feel right. His hand kept creeping up under my shirt while the other slipped under my skirt. At that time I didn’t feel like a holiday quickie was the way I wanted to lose my virginity.

I certainly felt like we owed ourselves more than chased kisses and caresses in a pantry at his parent’s house.

His face began to drain of color. I'm sure he didn't expect that I would calculate the time and put it together so quickly. Or that I would be brave enough to be direct with my line of questions.

"I…I wasn't ready. I didn't know how to tell you. I…" he was about to explain and add more confusing excuses. But I cut him off and said my peace.

"I didn't realize how selfish you were until now. It's been an interesting experience getting to know the real you. I thought we shared something special these last years. Hell, I even thought tonight was going to be "the" night, but I’m grateful to have dodged that bullet. I hope that things work out for you and what's her face.”

“Goddess only knows what lies you have told her and will tell her in the future. So good luck and goodbye!" I said as I stood up from the table straightening my back, and tossing my hair over my shoulder. Mustering up as much strength and courage as I had reserved to be able to walk to my car without looking like the heartbroken woman I became a few moments ago.

After getting into my car I locked the doors and sat there staring out at the scene before me; families at the beach, people playing volleyball, some enjoying a stroll, while others sit, eat and chit chat. Such beauty when I felt so broken. I took deep breaths and came to the conclusion that life goes on. I was watching it do that very thing as I looked out my cars window.

I blotted my eyes with Kleenex, before starting the engine. A part of me wanted to go back to the bistro, forget the lies and deceit and ask Dane for another chance, but I knew whatever we shared had no value. My phone vibrated. It was my bestie Sherry, wishing me a happy birthday with cake, kisses, love and eggplant emojis. This girl is going to be the death of me! I messaged her back seeing if she had time to hangout today.

Sherry messaged back immediately “Girl you know I had to take the day off to celebrate with you! I hope you have a couple hours set aside for me today. I know you were expecting to have your legs in the air today, but I just want to see you!”

The giggles this woman gave me mended my heart for the moment. “Where and when can we meet?” I messaged her.

“Girl come over whenever you can, I’m not doing anything and already dressed and ready to seize the day! I will be waiting for you.” she ended the message with kiss emojis, and heart emojis.

I set my phone down, put the car in gear and made my way to Sherry's.

After parking I made my way to her door. She peaked out the side window before opening the door. “Happy Birthday!” She yelled, and danced in place before tackling me in a bear hug. I truly wanted to feel as excited as she was, but my heart ached. She released me grabbed my hand and walked us into the living room. She hadn’t really looked at my face until she sat me down on the couch.

“Oh honey, what’s wrong? Why does it look like you’ve been crying?” She asked.

“Dane's been lying to me, cheating on me and he broke up with me today. I’m so hurt, because I thought he loved me. I thought we loved each other, but I’ve been so naïve.” I stated with a sigh.

“That cheating b.astard better hope I never run into him. He was never good enough for you. I told you long distant relationships don’t work. That selfish mother fvcker knew what he was doing. He didn’t want anyone else to have you and refused to let you live your best life while he was out doing whatever he wanted, wherever he wanted with anyone he wanted!”

“I’m not even going to lie. I’m sad that he hurt you, but f.uck I’m happy that control freak is no longer in your life! I told you he was up to no good and that he is a piece of s.hit!” She emphasized how much of a low life she believed him to be.

“I know you told be, but I was blinded by love. I believed he wanted me the way I wanted him. Dane was the first person I got to know here and my first and only boyfriend, so can you blame me for expecting something out of a romance novel?” I asked.

“Oh honey,” Sherry reached over to pull me in for a hug. We held each other for a few moments. “We have to figure most things out for ourselves. One day you will find someone worthy of you. Someone who will worship you the way the good lord intended!” I laughed humorlessly, but I felt better. She gave me one last squeeze before releasing me.

"Wait here okay.” She stated before leaving the room. I began to think of all of the red flags in my relationship with Dane, how possessive he became over the years and how the discussion of long distance relationships was really one sided when we spoke about it. Goodness, I had ignored so many things believing it was all his way of showing his love.

Sherry walked into the room a few minutes later. “Now that you are a free woman, you are hanging out with me tonight, I’m talking a.ss shaking, shot taking with a little bumping and grinding will be happening tonight. Here." She handed me a large gift bag and a double shot glass filled with tequila.

I shook my head and took the shot glass first. Drinking it straight without a chaser and coughed, because it burned the back of my throat, before opening my present. There were all kinds of my favorite snacks, jewelry and a couple of outfits inside the bag. A couple of dresses one of them matched the jewelry and the other was a summer dress I had been eyeing for the last few weeks when we were at the mall. “Omgoodness! I love my gifts, and you got this beautiful dress I kept eyeing and trying on at the mall. I freaking love you so much!”

“I know you do, now we need to get you dressed in the club dress for tonight, I’m going to style your hair and make up, and you can pick some shoes from my closet or we can pick something up later.” She held her hand out, I reached out to her and she helped pull me from the couch before dragging me to her bedroom and she picked up the bottle of tequila on the way.