Three
You come over unannounced dressed up like you’re somethin’ else,
where you are and where it’s at, you see, you’re making me laugh out when you
strike your pose, take off all your preppy clothes, you know you’re not fooling
anyone when you’ve become somebody else round everyone else, watching your back
like you can’t relax, trying to be cool you look like a fool to me…
“Bye bye bye…” Tammi sang, pushing the
vacuum under the dining room table.
“Don’t wanna be a fool for you…just…” She let out a short scream as
someone put their hand on her shoulder.
Tammi whirled around. “Dammit, Chris…what the hell are you doing here?”
“I came to say hi.” Chris straightened
his tie as Tammi turned off the vacuum.
She took a good look at him.
“What are you wearing?” Tammi tried very hard not to laugh.
“A suit,” Chris said defensively. “And
I’m hot. The least you could do is invite me to sit down and have a cold beer
or something.”
“Oh. Sorry.” Tammi got over her shock.
“C’mon into the kitchen. I made
lemonade last night and it should be cold now.”
“Sounds nice. Thank you.” Chris followed her into the kitchen.
“Seriously, though…why are you wearing
that?” Tammi tried not to stare. Chris
wore a very expensive dark grey suit.
His hair was conservatively styled, and he was careful as he sat down. “It’s not your usual way of dressing.”
“I have a meeting this afternoon with
the FuMan people. I thought I’d stop by
and say hi, since I haven’t seen you in a few days.”
Tammi handed Chris the lemonade, then
leaned over the counter. “Chris, are
you okay? You’ve been kinda…weird
lately. Not yourself.”
“I’m fine,” Chris said. “Why do you ask?”
“You just…I mean, the suit. You NEVER
wore stuff like that before when you had meetings. What’s up?”
“I thought maybe I should try to look
respectable…you know, responsible.”
Tammi pretended to have a heart attack.
“Chris Kirkpatrick? Responsible. Oh,
honey, don’t make me laugh.”
“You’re so funny,” Chris muttered. “Is
it too much for me to TRY and act my age once in a while?”
“For you? Yeah, it is too much,” Tammi
teased. “Chris, I just worry about
you.”
“Why? I’m not your problem.” Chris
slammed the glass down and Tammi jumped.
“Whoa.
What’s that all about? I’m your friend. It’s my job to ask questions
when things aren’t right with you.”
“Well, I’d appreciate it if you kept
your questions to yourself, okay?” Chris got up and straightened his suit. “I’m
gonna go be a grownup now. You should try it now and then. It’s good for
you.” He stalked out of her house
before Tammi could say another word.
