Dec

16

Coupland d’état | Part Three

Filed Under Life Slice 

Mike + Doug Starn Snowflakes

I knew very little about Jonathan’s girlfriend, Ellen. She was divorced with three kids, working the embroidery machine at a textile manufacturer. She had met Jonathan at her old job where he had just been hired. An IT customer call centre. A place where people from all over the world were being paired up with one another.

During a coffee break, she had approached Jonathan with a problem, asking for his advice. He was flattered.

Later that day, he called me to tell me, no one had ever needed him before. Not even me.

It’s true. I had only wanted him.

Soon, he realized she shared his love for bikes.

Girlfriend in a coma.

I never stood a chance.

She was older than Jonathan, by about ten years.

Ten years.

There was that number again.

1020 Maple Hill Drive. The address of his parents condo. We were already here.

“So glad you can make it,” Ellen held the door open for Gord and I.

“Of course,” Gord flung off his shoes, making his way to the fridge to chill the wine in tow.

“Hi,” I spoke softly, leaning in for a hug. It was the only thing I could do to avoid being pierced by her good looks, and to keep myself from crying in front of her.

“Good of you to come,” she searched for something all around me. “There doesn’t seem to be a space to put your jacket,” grabbing two colourful puffy coats hanging from the banister behind me. “If you find a spot, it’s yours,” she flung the jackets across her shoulder and disappeared into the hallway.

“Are the kids around?” I was curious.

“Two are at a friend’s place and the other is in bed. Sick with a cold.”

“Where’s Jonathan?” Gord wondered through the living room inspecting all the Christmas cards sitting on the fireplace mantelpiece.

“At his parents,” Ellen surfaced from darkness of the hallway, headed towards the fridge, interested in the paper bag Gord and I had carried with us.

“They had a fight earlier today, so he’s there to try and patch things up.”

“Will they be here?” Gord settled on the sofa, motioning me to sit beside him.

“His parents?” Ellen approved of our choice of vintage and had now poured herself a glass.

“Yeah.”

“Well, if all goes well, they should be joining us too.”

I threw Gord a look as he smiled from underneath the rim of his wine glass.

“You love it,” he whispered as he drew small circles against my back. “Remember. You can do this. This is not a thing.”

Gord started to flip through a book one of the children had left behind on the coffee table. I slowly munched away on a few potato chips while Ellen busied herself in the kitchen.

Ten years ago, she had invaded my space. Now, I was invading hers. Against my inclination to see if she needed help, I stayed glued to the sofa beside Gord. It felt like the only thing I could do.

A brisk chill swept into the house as Jonathan closed the door behind him.

“You alright?” Ellen kissed Jonathan on the cheek.

“Fine, fine. Y’know. All good.”

“Is it?” Gord recognized the hesitation in Jonathan’s voice.

“How long have you two been here?”

“Answer the question.”

The playful jabs between the boys, and Jonathan’s ability to satisfy a conversation with vague responses. I had heard it all before.

“Yeah it’s fine,” Jonathan raised his voice slightly, hoping this time, his answer was convincing enough to quell any more questions. “They might be here before midnight.”

“Alright then,” taking cue, Gord dropped the conversation, and turned to grin at me.

“What are we having?” Jonathan reached over for napkins, across the chip bowl, taking a seat on the other side of me on the sofa.

Ellen pulled up a chair and settled two large platters on top of the coffee table.

With my fingers, I helped myself to cut slices of cheeses and meats, while everyone else hunted for a fork.

Apparently, behaving like an adult once, was all I can handle.

I was sure Ellen had noticed.

IMAGE | Mike + Doug Starn | alleverythingthatisyou tiotquat | 2006–2007 | 14 1/2″x14 1/2″ each | Archival inkjet prints Diasec mounted to Plexi glass

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