Magic Touch

Chapter 27 - Evening at Mari's

"Kate, really?" Mari's expression made it clear that she did not agree with Kate's assessment in the slightest. "Out of all people I don't think the surgeon would be the one having an issue with my animals. Besides, they're just," she paused and waved her hand in the air, "waiting to be fully born. Or something."

"That doesn't make it sound any better, you know."

"That's enough!" Mari's chest heaved and she rested her hands on her hips. "Were we going to spend the evening complaining about our exes or not? You're free to walk away if the animals bother you that much, otherwise I'm going to get us some snacks and put on a movie."

"I'd prefer to complain about our exes," Kate hurriedly answered. She couldn't afford to leave Mari's problem unresolved. The thing about the animals had just been an observation from her side, but it seemed to have struck a nerve with Mari. She would be more than happy to let the topic rest. "How come we're watching a movie?"

"Romantic comedy about getting over one's exes," Mari called from the kitchen where she was presumably preparing snacks. "I figured it'd help set the mood."

The scent of potato chips marked Mari's return. She was carrying a huge, polka dot-patterned bowl in her left hand and gripping a two liter bottle of soda with her right.

"And this is for energy to vent about all our frustrations," Mari announced as she set the bottle and bowl down with a thud. "Figured we'd need it."

She sat down next to Kate and switched on the television. It didn't take long for Mari to start ranting - the movie was just past its intro from what Kate could tell. She wondered what it was lately with people putting on movies they didn't actually intend to pay attention to.

"...not to mention he'd get all up in arms over how the bed sheets were folded, can you believe it? Such an inconsequential thing. And don't even get me started on how he'd place things in the washing machine, they were miles apart! So I told him, come on, it's not like you're loading a sterilizer..."

By the time the second main character was introduced Mari had already rattled off a dozen complaints. In that respect the evening seemed to be going well. Kate only nodded and offered confirmatory responses. The point was for Mari to get things out of her system, after all.

It wasn't before the trio of newly single women had gathered to discuss revenge plans that events in Mari's living room took a slightly different turn.

"Whoops, I've been going for a while, haven't I?" Mari asked, turning to Kate. "Your turn now. Let's hear all the dirt you got on that Rose girl."

Kate couldn't help rolling her eyes. "You're exaggerating. It was just one date."

"So what? You already know the two of you won't work out, you said it so yourself. On with the complaints!" Mari loudly clasped her hands together.

Granted, it wasn't the worst of ideas. It should reduce the chance that wishy-washy part of her brain decided to try dating Rose again. The fact that she felt reluctance against the idea was proof enough that she needed it, Kate concluded. She drew a deep breath.

"All right. It's unfair that she looks so cute, and when she's teasing me I just want to be with her even more. She knows just how to play my emotions to make me cave in. When she puts her mind to her she's a relentless pursuer."

"More negativity Kate, more negativity!" Mari raised one fist into the air. "Remember that we're here for trash talk!"

Kate found that her voice increased in energy and loudness. It appeared that Mari's state of being was contagious. "She's emotionally manipulative, she wants to know every little thing about me, and she even tried using her charms on me the first time we met!"

The fist was lowered and Mari leaned in Kate's direction, grinning. "She tried using her charms on you? Now this I've got to hear. Full story please!"

"Nope." Full stop. Kate crossed her arms and regarded Mari with a frown. "You're just as bad as her now. It's talk trash about our exes night, not story night, remember?"

"Aw jeez, you're no fun."

Mari pouted for a few minutes, but soon enough she was back to complaining about Bron. Her complaints grew in intensity to the point where Mari was nearly shouting, then she slumped back and rested her head on the back of the couch, effectively turning toward the ceiling.

"Whew, I'm beat. That was exhausting. But I think I feel better now. How about you, Kate?"

"I think so." She had listed some bad points about Rose, true, but they lacked the forcefulness behind Mari's words. Her own words felt like they lacked commitment. Not that she would admit it, lest she prolong the night. Kate stretched and rose from the couch.

"I'd better make my way home. I need to be properly rested for tomorrow."

"Yeah." Mari smiled sleepily. She was already sitting with her eyes closed. "Thanks for coming over. I needed this."

"Speaking of needs, I still have the matter of avoiding Rose to contend with. You don't think we could discuss plans tomorrow?"

Mari lazily waved a hand in the air. "Of course. I'll dream up the best plan ever tonight. Or the next best. A good one. Whatever." A big yawn escaped her. "See you tomorrow."

Kate smiled. "Yeah, see you."

There was hope after all.