“My Friends Say I Should Leave You, But I’ll Give You One More Chance To Correct Yourself,” She Said. I Replied, “How Generous.” Then I Packed My Bags While She Went Out With Those Same Friends. When She Got Home Ready To Discuss My “Improvements,” I Was Gone With A Note: “Decided Not To Take The Chance.”

Part 3

The truth did not explode. It leaked. Elise told Cara that Lena had exaggerated. Another friend admitted Lena often mocked me for things she benefited from: my stable job, quiet weekends, and willingness to drive everyone home. By the end of the week, the committee was no longer unanimous. That upset Lena more than my leaving.

She showed up at my brother’s apartment furious.

“You’re turning my friends against me.”

I said I had not spoken to most of them. She said I always acted calm so everyone thought she was crazy. I told her she had offered me probation in my own relationship. She said she did not use that word. I said she did not have to.

Then came tears. She wanted to talk with no friends involved. The phrase should have comforted me. Instead, it confirmed how bad things had become. She asked if she could do better. I said I believed she could, with someone else. She said she missed me. I said I missed who I thought she was when nobody else was voting.