the first nine days of January 2013. Often Liz and “Cari” would engage him in simultaneous texting marathons, and he’d jump from one conversation to the other as their messages popped up, intermixed.
It was mostly small talk, but “Cari” occasionally texted comments that seemed designed to provoke him. She wrote that Liz barely ever mentions you. We didn’t even know you two were still dating.
Garret replied: Hey, the good news is you knew at one time. LOL. I don’t know what to say. Like I said, you would have to ask her about that.
In another text, “Cari,” wrote, Seems to me you like women who treat you badly.
He asked, Are you guys good friends?
We used to hang out all the time, but not so much anymore. Why do you ask?
Because of your last text, he typed. Didn’t this “Cari” realize that she was badmouthing his girlfriend? Why was Liz’s friend trying to make trouble? Disturbed, Garret reported the comments to Liz, warning her that her good pal did not seem to have her best interests at heart. Apparently, Liz then confronted her friend, because “Cari” texted him an apology: Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Liz talked to me. You could have told me.
Always the good sport, he replied, Sorry too. You’re right. I should have said something. Guess it kind of got to me—some of the things you were saying about Liz, and I don’t know you very well yet.
Sometimes “Cari” asked him for advice. How do you get someone back you care about, even though they’ve started dating someone else?
I don’t know, he responded honestly. If they have moved on, I guess I would ask if you were sure you would want them back.
That’s not helping. If Liz left, wouldn’t you want her back?
Wary of getting into a personal conversation about his relationship, he changed the subject. The lovelorn texter continued to dwell on her broken heart, and in a later text, she told him that she and her ex and his new girlfriend all worked at West Corp together. I don’t want him with this girl, she texted. I wish I could meet a guy like you, sweet, handsome, smart, and we have a lot in common. Not trying to hit on you.
I don’t know about the handsome part. LOL. You’ve seen me?
Yes, Liz showed me a picture of you. You are very handsome. I would like your arms around me, just saying. I would be proud to have you as a guy I could show.
Garret was embarrassed. Liz’s friend was obviously flirting with him, and that didn’t seem right. Then again, maybe she was just being nice. He felt obligated to respond. I appreciate the compliment.
You’re welcome, but I mean it.
The texting conversation with “Cari,” was interrupted a moment later when a message from Liz popped up, and they discussed the Yorkie she had adopted. Garret had loaned her the $140 adoption fee, after she had promised to pay him back. She had borrowed a lot of money from him, and she had never once paid him back, but he had a soft spot for animals and loaned her the money because he figured she would give the little dog a good home. The pooch was adjusting, Liz assured him and ended with, Painting my nails. Can’t talk now.
He went back to his text conversation with Liz’s troubled friend. She mentioned her ex again, and Garret wrote, You still care about your boyfriend and want him back?
Guess so.
That gave him pause. Liz often gave the identical text response. Guess so. It was somewhat unusual, and he was compelled to point that out. LOL. Sounds like Liz. She always says that. It was easier to type a plain old “Yes,” than to go to the trouble of tapping out “Guess so” with clumsy fingers on a cell phone’s tiny keyboard. Why did both ladies make “Guess so” part of their standard texting lingo? He didn’t have time to ponder it because he was too busy responding to the dozens of texts filling up his phone. His new phone pal was most curious about things that weren’t her business. How is your relationship? she asked. Is it what you want it to be?
His response was evasive. Are they ever?
Yes, she answered.
Things aren’t perfect, he admitted. But we are working on them.
Wow, you’re as bad as her, but her words are, “It’s fine, I’ll live with it” LOL.
I figured you’d know everything because you guys talk, he wrote.