Javans was at the restaurant when I walked in. He was halfway through his drink, his tie loosened, his leg shaking- partly due to anxiety and partly due to his restlessness. The last text I’d received from him was “waiting, seated at the table by the corner.” 

Maggie should be here. 

I should not have asked her to come but she’s the only one who can rip away this bandage off my face without a shred of pity. Javans is also scared of her. She’s what he says “crazy with a capital C,” but the truth is Maggie is fearless to most but the few who know her, see through her fortress clearly. He stands to hug me as I get to the table. “I am sorry I kept you waiting. Traffic was insane,” I tell him.

“It’s okay. I’ve had two of these and now I think I should get something stronger.”

“Why? What happened?”

“Nothing serious, so tell me what’s wrong? Your friend, the one with red hair said that she was worried about you. What happened at work?”

“Uh?”

“Yes, you have a friend at work, the chic with very red hair and weird eyes. She came by our place of work and said something about listening to you without being ‘judgy’ those were her words.”

“Louisa is always a siren. You hear her before you see her, but don’t worry about it, today is a Friday and what are you up to? Do you have plans for the weekend?”

“Um…there’s this party we are going to.”

“Oh, so there’s a party this weekend or is it tonight?”

“Tonight actually, I’m picking Pat at around ten-ish, wait, why don’t you come? You know, it’ll be fun all of us hanging out, or are you meeting the crazy one and her loyal servants?”

“Yes! I am meeting them and by the look of things, it seems like they will be here soon enough, so why don’t you get ready and go meet Pat. You know the traffic is insane and you have to get to her on time.”

“Eish! It’s not yet that late, but don’t worry about it. Are you sure you’re okay? You are doing the thing you do when you are nervous.”

“What?”

“You keep folding that serviette. It’s not an origami lesson Joyce, what gives?”

“Nothing.”

“Lie.”

“Nothing, really.”

“Lie.”

“Look, don’t worry about me, I’m fine, in fact I can’t wait for the girls to get here so we can catch up on the latest, hebu go! You’ll be late.”