Janessa
EPISODE 4: ‘BRUNCHED’
“This place is cute. How'd you hear about it?” Melanie took her seat at the brass patio table.
“I was going for a run around here the other day. Smelled bomb." Janessa finished scanning the short menu, "Already know what I’m getting!”
"Sunday brunch was such a good idea, girl. Thanks for finding the spot again. One of these Sundays I’ll have the energy to find one. I'm just so tired by the end of the week."
"Mm, I wonder why," Janessa huffed.
Melanie parted her lips, half-offended but not surprised. She waited until the approaching waitress took their orders and returned to the kitchen before responding, “He really is trying.”
"But is he? You told me he quit his job to live 'unbound.’ What does that even mean? He was a singer, he got half interested in stocks. He didn’t even apply to culinary school, just talked about it for 3 months. Then a fake ass non-profit ‘leader’."
"He was teaching keyboarding to highschoolers!"
"Does he even know how to type?"
"Mhmm," Melanie exaggerated her hesitation, "He does that little index finger thing..."
"So no. No, he doesn't. And now he's trying to be an author."
"He finished two chapters..."
As the words, "you need to leave his ass" spat from Janessa's mouth, the waitress arrived with their drinks. Smiling avoidably, she offered a quick "Food'll be right out," before returning to the restaurant.
Janessa continued, restraining a laugh, "I'm sorry, sorry. I’m only bringing this up because I’m your friend."
"Yea, but he’s my friend too, my best friend. I’ve known him...
Melanie: Janessa:
"...my entire life. " "...your entire life."
"I know," Janessa sipped her breakfast cocktail and reached for Melanie's hand, "I also know you’re not in love with him. And, sorry, but he’s taking all of my friend’s energy and money, and he’s not offering her what she deserves."
Melanie half-smiled and blew out a puff of air. Throughout their meal, her mind replayed the lifetime of good memories her and her boyfriend, Grant, made together. She knew her friend was right, though. Her and Grant weren't supposed to be lovers. But gently untangling their lives wasn't an option; those knots had to be cut.
As the waitress removed their plates, the girls wrapped up their conversation about Janessa's dirty thirty trip to her hometown of New Orleans.
"Girl, I'm already starting to pack," Melanie threw her arms up and breathed in the patio air, "I can feel the sun, taste the daiquiris, and hear the music I'll be shaking my ass to all up and down Bourbon Street."
"My 30s are going to be the shit and there's truly no other way I'd want to ring in my new decade than with my girl. But you're packing already? We don't leave for another month!"
The friends laughed with their full bellies before Janessa sighed, changing the mood, "Hey, I'm sorry for coming for Grant earlier. That wasn’t fair."
Melanie looked up at her friend, "You really don’t think he’s gunna pull it together?"
"He hasn’t in five years. And more importantly, it’s not your job to take care of him until he does."
"I do love him, though."
"But you're not in love with him."
"Just seems like a waste of five years. What even would I tell him? How do I tell him? We live together!"
"He lives...with you."
"Nessa..."
"Okay, okay. What about going on a date? Seeing what else is out there might make it a little easier to let go."
"Absolutely not! I am not cheating on him."
"Mkay, so just hear me out..."
"What did you do?"
"I said hear me out!" Janessa patted the air with her hands, "They added a new guy to the finance team at the firm and girl, he’d be perfect for you."
"Ahh, just sucks that I'm not a cheater."
"We all went out last weekend and he’s hilarious, he's outgoing. He did karaoke with us. He’s a gentleman, tall, fine!"
"Why don't you date him?"
"Not my type. But he has you written all over him. Adventurous, extroverted, athletic. He would gladly do all that hiking and nature shit that you can't get me or Grant to do with you."
"Well, I’m still in a relationship so I can’t entertain anything until I figure that out."
"Mmm, right. I did already give him your number and told him he could ask you out next weekend. So, you might be getting that call."
"Janessa!"
"Look! Grant literally doesn’t even have to know. Just get 1 little drink with Ulysses…"
"Ulysses?!"
Janessa laughed, "I know, I know. The names a little...old school? But he’s great. Seriously! Just get one drink with him."
"You said he's fine?"
"Fine girl!"
"One drink."
Janessa grabbed her friend's hand and squealed before waving the waitress over to order another celebratory round.
- - -
Before keying into her condo, Melanie's Motorola lit up with an unknown number. She answered to reluctantly accept Ulysses' proposal for a drink that upcoming weekend. She could feel her anniversary photo leering at her as she entered her foyer. Between the mimosas and her guilt, the pit in her stomach deepened and bubbled. Determined to fall in love with her boyfriend, she primped in the entryway mirror and tipsily sexy walked into the living room. Grant hunched over a legal pad scribbling intently - balled up paper littered his feet. Melanie continued walking towards him, flinging off her blouse with strained allure.
"Hey baby..."
Grant side kissed Melanie, "Hey babe."
"Can I see what you're working on?" Melanie pivoted for him to see her fully.
"The new chapter? It’s not done yet." Grant's eyes flashed between his notes and her chest, "Oh hey, what's up with you?"
"Nothing. Just missed you," Melanie bended to rest her hands on her boyfriend's knees.
"Hold on Mel...Mel!" Grant jumped up, sending Melanie to her butt.
"Jesus, Grant! I thought you'd be into this!"
"I am! I definitely am. But you were smearing the ink," Grant flipped the pad over and placed it on the coffee table. "Man, you either hounding me to get this thing off or you’re asking for attention. Which do you want?"
"All I said was that I missed you."
"C'mon, guilt trip. I can’t win with you."
Melanie scooped up her shirt, "It'd just be nice if you could be a little romantic, a little spontaneous. We don't even talk like we used to. It's like I'm living with a stranger."
"So we're going from guilt trip to drama queen, huh? And how can I be romantic when I never see you? You spend all your time with Nessa." Grant hocked her name as if it were venomous. Melanie had already stomped off towards their bedroom.
In the bedroom, Melanie faced more photographic evidence of her waning relationship. Polaroids that used to make her laugh, made her sigh. One from their childhood even forced a tear down her cheek. They were maybe 8 or 9, playing 'explorers' in her backyard. She flung the tear away, but her grief sat with her. She knew that by dating him, she ruined her relationship with her best friend.
- - -
“Melanie?” A veined, tanned hand rested on Melanie’s shoulder. The touch was gentle, but she jumped anyway. “Sorry!" the deep voice apologized, "I’m looking for someone."
Melanie turned to see over 6 feet of bulk and brawn, “Yes! Yes, I’m Melanie.”
“Oh good. Ulysses. Nice to meet you.” He took a seat at the bar, next to her, and continued, “Kinda nerve wrecking trying to find a stranger in a bar.”
“I can imagine. I’ve never actually been on a blind date before.”
“Really?” Ulysses held a finger up to get the bartender’s attention.
Melanie stared at his bulging bicep muscle and lightly slapped her thigh to pull her attention back to the conversation, “Nope, heh. For a while, I was in or I kinda still am in this thing…”
“Janessa told me you have a boyfriend. What’s your drink?”
“Chardonnay. And I do. That doesn't bother you?"
"Eh, technicality. If you're here with me, it's pretty much over anyway, right?"
"For someone in finance, you’re not that concerned with technicalities.”
“Work-play balance, ya know.” He winked and grinned, revealing rows of bright white teeth, “So, does this guy know you’re going out on dates?”
“Oh, no, no, no.” Melanie thanked the bartender as he sat her wine in front of her, “This is the only date I’ve been on. And I only came to appease Janessa. She swears she knows what’s best for me.”
“Ah, she seems like a great friend. She just went on and on about you. And, between what she told me and what I’m seeing,” Ulysses looked her up and down, “you're the whole package.”
“And see,” Melanie put her wine down, “I almost got all goofy over that. But this cannot be a purely physical connection – that was the deal.”
“What deal?”
"With Janessa. For this to potentially continue, I need to actually like you. I can’t just be attracted to you.”
"So, I’m a double dog dare, huh? Well, it’s your lucky day. I'm going to take that as a challenge. Let’s get out of here. Have some real fun."
"Promise you won’t kill me?"
Holding an extended hand to Melanie and 3 fingers to the air, "Scout's honor."
- - -
“Finally! What took you so long to get here!” Janessa bounced in her chair as Melanie hastened to the table.
"First of all, this place is super sketchy. There's no signage anywhere."
“I gave you directions!” Janessa waved the air, "Forget all of that. How was the date?”
“I think Grant knows what’s up. All morning he was like, 'Nessa? Again? Really? You're hangin' with Nessa? Again?' And you know what he said before I left? He said, ‘I’m starting to think you not always going to see Nessa.’ Do you think he knows?” Melanie fiddled with her menu.
“I think he’s a hater.” Janessa rolled her eyes, “Tell me about the date, already. How was it?”
Melanie looked up and started grinning.
“Oh, it was like that?” Janessa clutched her metaphorical pearls.
“No! No, we didn’t do anything like that. But you were right - he's fun! So, we started at this cute little bar, but his friend owns The Power Rocket, so he got us in after hours and we rode go karts and the Tummy Tumbler. We stole some ice cream out of the kitchen freezer. I felt like a little kid! And he was like a lot more open than I expected. His mother died during childbirth, so he was raised by his father. Said they were super close, and they loved to go fishing..."
"Wait, pause. His friend?" Janessa wondered.
"Yep. He said he gave him a key but to honest it kinda looked like he just broke the lock." Melanie laughed. "He is crazy buff."
The waitress arrived to take their orders. Her green eyes contrasted her dark skin, and her locs were piled twistedly atop her head, "What can I get started for you?"
While Janessa ordered, Melanie finally took in the venue. The simple geometry of the space and its sterile white walls starkly opposed the colorful menu. She waited until the waitress retreated to ask once more.
"Girl, what even is this place? It's like an abandoned art gallery in here."
"I think it's just new. I heard the owners aren't from around here. They're probably still getting settled," Janessa shrugged. "Anyways. Grant?"
"I don’t know," Melanie's shoulders slumped. "It's easy with him. Even after a fight, we just jump right back into our routine."
"That sounds like history not chemistry."
"I definitely felt the chemistry with Ulysses last night. I just can't believe I ruined such a great friendship. I honestly thought we’d be friends forever, no matter what, but these last five years…they’ve felt like an eternity."
"But you’re still not ready to walk away?"
"I don’t think I’ll ever be."
A deep agonizing groan bellowed from the kitchen. Melanie’s eyes bugged, "What the hell was that?"
Janessa sipped her water, "Will you calm down? They probably just dropped something back there."
"Or they're being haunted by the artists that were murdered in this creepy ass place,” Melanie saddled her purse and nodded towards the door. “We should go."
The waitress hurried out of the kitchen, "Bayou shrimp ‘n grits and red beans and rice. Sorry about that noise. One of the busboys bumped his ol’ head back there. Enjoy your meals, now. And these mimosas are on the house."
"Well, cheers to that!" Janessa laid her napkin in her lap and inhaled the Creole aromas wafting off her plate.
The waitress returned to the kitchen just to exit moments later with two steaming bowls of gumbo. She sat them in front of two other women before bowing away. The diners held hands and leaned over their bowls, steam engulfing their faces. The waitress posed in the kitchen doorway, eyes glued to the diners, lips murmuring inaudibly.
"Biiiitch!" Melanie leaned in.
"I know! I didn't see gumbo on the menu!"
"I'm not talking about the damn gumbo. There's some spooky shit going on in here. We should definitely go."
"Have you tried your food? This is too bomb to run out on." Janessa gripped her mimosa, "Sip on your drink and relax."
Melanie sipped and winced, "Whoa, it’s just champagne in here, right?"
"You’re such a lightweight. So, are you going to see Ulysses again?"
"He did ask me out next weekend. I just can’t believe he doesn’t care that I have a whole live-in boyfriend."
"He can probably tell the relationship is dying. Just waiting for it to be official."
"I felt so horrible when I got home. I just got in the bed with Grant! After being on a date! I’d be so hurt if he did anything like that."
"Even if Ulysses isn’t it, you’ve got to get from under this Grant thing so you can live your life. Stop buying groceries for two, stop doing chores for two, girl you said even the sex is…"
"So vanilla. What's a girl gotta do to get tossed around a little bit?" Melanie whined and giggled, "I wish I could just poof him from my mind entirely. Make all of the memories go away, good and bad."
"Let’s send him off, then." Janessa stood with her glass, "To Grant: relationships come, and some are hard to let go. Those we honor and we let die."
"You're so extra," Melanie rolled her eyes, but stood and toasted with her friend, "Ugh, are you sure these aren't mixed with tequila? Or...absinthe?"
After Melanie settled into her meal, the gumbo customers gathered their things and headed to the exit. One was greeted by a chiseled, chocolate adonis and the other by an olive-skinned gentleman with a million-dollar smile. Both kissed their respective ladies on the forehead before leaving.
Before Melanie could comment, the waitress returned with the bill, "Take your time with this, ladies. There's some coupons in there for a free pot of gumbo next visit." With an accidental, or seemingly accidental, graze of Melanie's hand she bowed back to the kitchen.
"God, this place is weird," Melanie shook her head before downing the last of her spine-shivering mimosa.
- - -
The following Sunday, Melanie flew through the entrance of that week's brunch venue disheveled and uneasy but not because the building was as unmarked and unassuming as the last.
"Nessa, Grant is gone! I woke up this morning and all his stuff was just gone. No toothbrush, no clothes, nothing. And his number is disconnected. Do you think he found out about Ulysses? Why didn’t you answer your phone? I called a million times!"
"Oh, my phone's been acting super weird lately, my bad girl. But sit, sit! I’m excited to hear about your second date!"
"The date? Grant is missing, Nessa!"
"You said his stuff is gone. He’s probably not missing. He probably skipped out. C'mon, sit! I ordered drinks for us."
Melanie sat, sipped, and shivered, "Not these strong ass mimosas again."
The petite green-eyed waitress sat two bowls of gumbo in front of them. Steaming hot, just like before. "Welcome back, ladies. Enjoy that gumbo."
"This place is so weird, Nessa. Why’d we come back here?"
"Free gumbo!"
"Something doesn’t feel right. Why are they always in abandoned buildings?"
"The food was bomb last time, right? You’re just stressed. You need to get some food in you." Janessa reached for Melanie’s hands and bowed her head.
"What are you doing? We’ve never prayed over our brunch, before."
Janessa huffed and looked at the waitress, who was already chanting under her breath. Janessa snatched her friend's hands and quickly recited, "Relationships come but some are hard to let go. Those we honor and we let die."
Melanie’s eyes glazed over, her neck hinged down, her head hovered inches above her bowl. The steam from the gumbo engulfed her face as she began to chant with Janessa.
“Relationships come but some are hard to let go. Those we honor, and we let die.”
“Relationships come but some are hard to let go. Those we honor, and we let die.”
“Relationships come but some are hard to let go. Those we honor, and we let die.”
Both ladies devoured the addictive chunks of fleshy meat and slurped down the savory, scarlet stock. Neither looked up until their bowls were empty. Melanie lifted her head but stared forward blankly until Janessa broke their silence.
“So, you were saying about Grant?” Janessa poked.
“Who?”
“Uh, I mean, Ulysses. You were talking about your date last night...with Ulysses.”
“He’s so great, girl!” She gave a full rundown of their date night adventures. The barbeque joint and subsequent bonfire under the stars perfectly matched the heat she felt in her belly during their first kiss. “He’s actually picking me up from here and we're going paddle boarding. He comes up with the best freaking date ideas!” Melanie giggled and turned to see him just as he walked past the windowpane, “Oh, he’s here. Cool if I head out?”
“Of course! I’ll walk out with you.”
They stood and walked to the exit. Ulysses was standing in the doorway.
“How was the food?” The grinning man gave Melanie a kiss on the forehead.
“Delicious! The meat was tender, and perfectly fatty but I don’t know what it was. Did she say that was beef, Nessa?”
“Not sure.” Janessa grabbed her friend’s hand, “I’m just happy it was dead.”