Once, Twice

     Once, Twice

Suzanne Marsh

I hit the speed dial, my anger spilling over like a cup of hot tea in my lap. I was going to tell her off once a for all; how could someone be so thoughtless? I have always been the leader and she the follower, through many adventures. She had written two books, while writing them I asked her if she would like me to read it over, she said no she had it under control. I should have been suspicious then there was something she knew would anger me, but the question is what had I done to make her falsify facts that did not even occur. I phone rang, finally she answered, I was furious I knew I should not be doing this but I was going to anyway. It was time she understood that her jealousy, frustration and anger had no place in our relationship. Most of the things were penny ante; however I had been humiliated when I read somethings she said about me. She had betrayed me twice, I had been sorely tempted to send her one word “Judas” I knew she would get the meaning, the problems was the more I thought about the book she had written the more angry I became with her. I am not sure how long she thought we were competitors but I assumed that was part of the overall problem between us.

She had to have it published and pay for it before sending it:

“Hey I read your book.”

“Oh what did you think?” That was like opening Pandora’s Box at least for me.

“I thought it was childish drivel, one of the pictures in there is plagiarized the character is from

Star Wars. Do realize you could be sued?”

“No, is that all you found?” Now she was baiting me:

“No there is the matter of Defamation of Character, my character. How could you write

something that bad about me?” There was a slight pause in the confrontation:

“Does it really matter why I said it, it was part of the story.”

“You don’t put something like that in a book, it is foolish and petty.”

This conversation was becoming surreal:

“Just what exactly displeased you?” I knew I should not have done this but it seemed a good

time I hadn’t spoken to her in months, it was time to open the box:

“Let’s start with I don’t know how to think of anyone else besides myself. That is not true and

you know it. Your facts are wrong like my husband coming home at noon and promptly

announcing he had COVID 19, we got it after you went home remember?”

“That was just part of the story?”

“Oh really, you came out smelling like a rose, I came out smelling like poop. Second of all

I did not at any time insist that you stay past my birthday, that was you not me. Then of course

there is the small part where you had to comfort me? You had no idea what happened until I

told you. Comfort me, I had my heart attack four years earlier than you stated. Don’t tell me

that is part of your story also. My grandson was more comfort than you were as was my

daughter. When you write a memoir you have to get the facts straight or it is considered

fiction.”

She was silent on the other end of the phone for several moments:

“What do you want me to do? I can’t retract it.”

“You biographical sketch was a little on the colorful side also, you have to great grandbabies.

What were you thinking when you wrote that? That part is actually inconsequential I was

just curious.”

“If you are going to pull my story apart I am going to hang up.” I wanted to tell her to do just that but I also knew her facts were wrong, some of which she had best fix. She calmed down:

“I am sorry you feel that way; what else is wrong with the story?” That was the wrong thing to ask me in the state I was in:

“What is wrong with the story?” I asked incredulously! I had been hoping she would ask that:

“First of all your information is wrong, second that damn alien does not exist except in your

mind. Most of what you wrote is a cross between your own world and a lot of childish

drivel. The thoughts are disconnected, the sentences don’t make a lot of sense, most of the

the drawings in the book are childish not child-like. People are not going to purchase

a book to read that is poorly written. Then there is the matter of your personal life, loans you

have taken out to go to MUFON. Nine thousand and then four thousand, you can’t afford that!

Then to think your alien friend is going with you, he told you if you got the money together

he would go. You did just that, reservation for a king size bed, a car rental, what were you

thinking. The alien is a figment of your imagination, you need to understand that. I know over

the years we have been competitors, I had three children, you had three. We both divorced, my

remarriage is a good one, yours was not that good, is it jealously that has motivated you? You

have a good life here with your children. You should be thankful for their helping you. Is it

frustration that has caused this?”

“Frustration? I am not frustrated I am angry however that I have to listen to the mistakes I

have made in writing my book. You always have been better with words than I have, that

frustrates me to no end.” You mentioned anger, why are you angry?”

“Why, you published two books, I can’t even get one published and on the market. I have taken

a back seat to you for years. You are smart, you have compassion, I find myself still bitter

toward my first divorce. He was the true love of my life, finding him with another woman

blew my heart away. I want a life like yours, with the love you and your husband share.” I have never been good at keeping my mouth under control I blurted out: “I don’t know if I can ever trust you, this is the second time you have betrayed me, the first was that tax business, you liked about that also. I was ready to hang up:

“I am sorry about that, it was not my intention to hurt you but I thought if I were doing the work

you should be finding clients.” I thought about that for a moment;

“We were partners that is fifty/fifty not ninety nine percent and one percent. That is over and

done with.

I felt like a big heel but this conversation made me realize how blessed I am. We spoke for a few more moments, somehow I had gained understand for the situation.