“Art is more than just a friend, isn’t he?”
“Yes.” I walk over to the table and sit down.
She stands in front of me with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Mom, I’m sorry I lied to you. Art could never be just a friend to me. I love him.”
“Does he love you?”
“We’re trying to figure everything out.”
“He still thinks you told his secret.”
“It’s complicated.”
“He’s not a good man for Sebastian to be around. He’s violent and unpredictable. Adrian was good for you.”
“Art has always shown kindness towards Sebastian. Do you honestly think I would let him come near my son if he didn’t?”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I only want the best for you.”
“You have to let me live my life. If being with Art is a mistake, it’ll be a lesson I’ll have to learn on my own.”
“I was there to pick up the pieces the last time, remember? You cried almost every night for months. I never want to see you that way again.”
“He’s my Romeo. It’ll always be him.”
“There was no happily ever after for them. That love story ended in tragedy.”
Art and I were only supposed to be temporary. We were fooling ourselves to think six months would be enough when a lifetime wouldn’t be sufficient.
“He can only bring you heartache. When it ends, I’ll be there to pick up the pieces again.”
I’ll break with him, but without him, I’ll shatter. Either way I’m fucked, so I might as well stay with Art in purgatory.
“Be quiet, the story about you and Art is up next,” Anneli says, stuffing popcorn into her mouth.
We lounge next to each other on her bed. She insisted I come over to watchWhat’s Poppin? I’ve seen it a few times before but decided it wasn’t for me. The gossipmongers on the show call themselves “The Posse.” There are four of them—Dylan, Mickey, Candy, and Shelly. In my opinion, they’re a miserable group who glorify in digging up every dirty detail about the lives of celebrities to discuss on the show.
“This isn’t my movie premiere that’s going to turn me into an instant sensation overnight, you know.”
“Yes, it is. That reminds me, I want your autograph before you leave.”
I roll my eyes. “Not hardly.”
My eyes are glued to the television, bracing for the bullshit that’ll be said about Art and me.
“Arthur King has been out of the spotlight for some time, but yesterday evening he made a grand reappearance. Let’s take a look,” Dylan says.
The video of Art knocking Jerry out is shown.
“Wow, that was some punch. He could give Mike Tyson a run for his money,” Mickey says.
“Do we know what happened?” Dylan asks.
“Apparently, he went into a blind rage because another man was talking to his girlfriend.” Shelly wags her eyebrows.
“You’re kidding me. Arthur King has a girlfriend? I don’t believe it,” Candy says.
