You can't break up with a soul mate [a love story in poetic verse]

98 | going to New York

I wanted to go to New York
yet I knew I should not go
Also what would I tell David?

Tell him you are going to a conference or something
or to see a show
think of something
you're a smart girl

Jared kept texting me non-stop

I will let you know

I need to see you
please
we can have dinner
go walk around the city
make love
it will be magical

I thought of some obscure cousin I had
who I met when I was twelve with my mom.
I decided to make up a story

I am going to my cousin Demetra's house for the weekend in New York.

Who is that? You have family there?

Yeah, a second cousin from my mom's side. She keeps sending me messages on Facebook for years, but I never respond or even go on that lame app. I should just delete my account.
Anyway, she wants me to go so I finally said yes.

Oh, cool.
I have to work on these thermal devices and subsystems for a big contract. I will probably be working the next six weekends. I would love to come.

She invited me, babe. I think it's better I go alone and visit her. If you come it would be a whole different dynamic. You understand right? Plus, you have your project.

Yeah, I was just saying. Another time I want to go with you alone. Not to visit some cousin of yours. Sounds boring.

Where does she live?

Brooklyn.

Nice.
You'll have fun either way.

If I go.

Why wouldn't you go?

I don't know.

It's family. Plus, you need to stay close to family. And you have no one else.

Both my parents were only children
and I never grew up with a large family.

My mom's parents were too toxic to be around me. Seeing them once for Christmas was enough and then she suddenly stopped that too, telling me we are better off alone. They would only hurt me the same way they hurt her.
I love my grandfather. I have to go visit him again.

my grandmother died from cancer
when I was ten
and my grand-père had Alzheimer's
lived in a home
my mom and I would go visit
when she was alive
I only went three times after that
it would make me so sad
to go alone
thinking the only other relative I have
had lost his mind
but I would bring him donuts.

He only spoke French to me
when I was little
when I would go over
he taught me the sounds of the alphabet, words, songs
apparently I was able to pick it up quick
My mom adored him
he was her favourite person.
He's in a home now.

Dalia, you have never told me anything about your childhood! I want to visit your grandfather with you.

I hugged David, suddenly crying.

Me too.

I'm your family now, Dalia. I got you.
I love you, babe.

I love you, too.

I will see about New York.

He pulled back, you're going.
No argument.

Okay.

I was deceiving David. I knew I could not do this for much longer. The guilt would eat me up. I was not like Jared. I had a conscience.

Nancy texted me that night.

How about coffee tomorrow night? Or a drink?

Yes! Please come by my place. I have a bottle of white.

Can't wait.

My phone pinged.

A photo of New York City in the winter.
A song about New York.

Jared sending me messages to sway me.

I will visit you
On one condition.

What?

We go to the Met.

Sure, I have meetings though so we will arrange it.

How do you have meetings on Saturday and Sunday?!

I work seven days a week, fleur.