“We’re online friends. Pen Pals. Someone you can talk to without judgment, because they live so far away that there’s this safety wall between you that allows you to be so open with each other. I don’t think we would have this friendship if we were in the same place. Do you know what I mean?”
“Kind of.” Jackson smiles. “Whatever the relationship. Thank you. I can see the light come back in him.”
“That’s not from me.”
“I think it is,” he says seriously. “That man is my brother, and I would do anything for him.”
Oh. Wow. Jackson is really heaping praise on me. I don’t deserve it because I haven’t done anything.
“Charlie seems like a good guy.”
“He’s the best. You’d never find anyone better.” Jackson smiles.
“Well, I’m glad we’re friends then.”
“Merry Christmas, D,” he says and walks away.
I shut the door behind me and open the gorgeously wrapped present. It’s a gorgeous photo frame, inside is an image of all my babies, and engraved on the frame it says Uncle Derrick. How did he get them all to take a photo like that? Tears well in my eyes. I love it.
I grab my phone to write out a message, but instead I press the call button. It rings and rings and rings.
“Hello …” the deep voice answers cautiously.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I love it. I’m in tears. It’s so beautiful. How did you do it? All my babies together,” I gush.
“I’m glad you like it. Jackson arranged it with Charlotte, I think he said her name was.”
Of course, Charlotte would be the one taking the photo.
“This means so much to me. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he says softly as if he isn’t used to receiving thanks from people. “You called me.” There’s an angry lilt to his tone.
“Yeah. I didn’t think a text message would suffice. I needed you to know how much I loved the gift.”
“You weren’t supposed to call,” he says angrily.
“It’s not a big deal, is it? I mean, you answered.”
“Not a big deal.” He scoffs. I don’t understand what I’ve done wrong. “You were supposed to stay there.”
“Where?”
“In the messages. This isn’t supposed to happen. It can’t happen.” Charlie’s anger seems to have turned to panic. I still don’t get what I’ve done wrong.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted you to hear how much joy your present gave me.” I’m so confused. It’s like I’ve accidentally flipped a switch in him.
“I can’t do this.” The phone goes dead.
What the hell just happened?
Derrick: I’m sorry for calling.
The message doesn’t go through.
I’m blocked.
I walk downstairs in a daze, playing the conversation over in my mind. What did I do wrong? Yes, it has always been a text-only friendship, but I thought with the exchanging of Christmas presents, a phone call wouldn’t be any worse.
