Unexpected

Unexpected

  Maggie could hardly wait to tell Dina her good news over wine and appetizers at Clover Bar tonight. She’d texted Dina earlier and said they could meet up at 4:30pm during Happy Hour, which would be perfect for celebrating. Dina replied, “See you there.”

  As Maggie was driving to Clover she reflected on their friendship, going on 3 years now. She and Dina were like sisters, sharing the ups and downs of life, joining book club together, going to movies, and often sharing meals after work.    

  There was that time when Dina’s Mom passed away suddenly from a heart attack. Maggie was there with a shoulder to cry on, hot meals, and running her errands for her. Now she could hardly wait to tell her the news of her big promotion with a trip to Paris for the launch. Very exciting.

 Maggie went into the bar and snagged a booth near the door so she could see Dina come in. They’d sat in this same booth before. She glanced at her watch and saw it was 4:25pm. Dina would be here on the dot of 4:30pm, as usual. She was the most punctual person Maggie knew of.

  The waiter smiled and asked, “Would you like anything while you wait?”

“Yes, two red wines, please.”

He nodded, “Be right back.”

  Maggie checked her phone and turned off the ringer. She laid it on the table in front of her in case Dina texted. The wine arrived and she took a sip, imagining the look on Dina’s face when she gave her the news.

  The waiter reappeared and dropped off two happy hour menus. Those stuffed mushrooms look good, Maggie thought. She picked up her phone and texted Dina, “How ‘bout I order us some stuffed mushrooms?”

  “Sounds good, I’m just wrapping up with a client.” Huh, it must have been a last-minute appointment. Dina didn’t usually take clients after 4:30, so this person must be an exception. Maybe it was someone they both knew. Maggie sipped her wine and looked around as the place started to fill up. The waiter returned and she gave him the order.

   4:45pm, Maggie checked her phone again. No word. This wasn’t like Dina. Maggie sent another text, “Hey, are you on the way? Is everything ok?”

“Soon,” came the reply.

  The mushrooms arrived and Maggie took one, thinking they’d be cold by the time Dina got there. As time passed, she felt like Dina was holding back for some reason she couldn’t put her finger on. It wasn't like she owed Maggie any detailed explanation, but it was odd that she’d said she was coming and then give her the silent treatment. Maggie felt weird sitting there by herself with two glasses of wine and a plate of appetizers. The excitement over her good news faded.

  The waiter reappeared, “Do you want me to bring that second glass of wine? Happy Hour is about over.”

 “No, my friend hasn’t shown up yet. Looks like I’ll need a box to go for these mushrooms.” Discouraged, Maggie dug out her credit card and handed it to the waiter.

  She drove home mystified by what had just happened. She waited for a text from Dina that never came.

 The next morning, Maggie headed to work to prep for her company’s launch. She was given her itinerary for the trip, which was now 3 weeks away. She and her team would be staying for 5 days, most of them filled with conferences, but she hoped to get out to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre. She had also hoped Dina could join her on a discounted airfare she was able to procure through HR, but now that didn’t seem likely.

  As the day went on with no word from Dina, Maggie decided to call and see what was going on. Her call went to voicemail. Strange. Dina always took her calls.

  Late that afternoon, Dina called back.

“Finally!” Maggie answered, trying to be humorous.

“Hey, what’s up?” came the flat reply.

“What do you mean? That’s my question. You said you were coming and never showed.”

“Yeah, I had a client.”

“I know, but you never take clients after 4:30pm and you always show up when you say you’re coming. I felt kind of stupid sitting there with by myself drinks and apps for two. You could have just said you weren’t coming instead of leading me on saying you’d be there soon. Why didn’t you?”

“I don’t know, maybe it was a migraine coming on.”

“I don’t buy it Dina. Didn’t your client know you had prior commitments? Did they tell you to reply that you were coming and then you two had a nice laugh about it? I’m really hurt. It’s just not like you to do something like that.”

 “Yeah, I guess time got away from me.”

And just like that, Maggie saw the door closing on their friendship. Dina offered no apologies, no explanations, and was being cryptic about her last-minute appointment.

  “Wow, Dina, no apology for leaving me there, saying you were on the way when you had no intention of coming to meet me? That’s pretty cold. I thought we were good friends.”

 “Well Sar…” she stopped, realizing her mistake.

“Sarah? You were meeting with Sarah, the one who made that snarky comment about my dress last week at the Chamber dinner? Really?” Now Maggie was mad. “That woman was lower than low. What could you possibly have to do with her?”

 “She’s been a very good client and I think she has good opinions on investments.”

 “Wow.” Maggie was at a loss for words. Dina had just made it plain that Sarah’s meeting was more important than standing up a friend. And that was that. Maggie hung up the phone, stunned at the conversation that just severed their friendship.

   In the days that followed, Maggie tried to make sense of it all, but there wasn’t any. She doubted she’d go back to Clover Bar for a long time. Eventually, she accepted that sometimes people act differently than you’d expect, and that even “good” friends can ghost you.