after deleting her picture, and climbed into bed, grinning. I couldn’t wait for tomorrow’s workout.
Befriending Ginger became a game with a delightful outcome. One month, and I
had become her best friend. Pity I hated her guts. We could have had a nice friendship, if she wasn’t sleeping with my husband.
I had always followed the rules, but with my new persona, I was free. I was
smart with the details I shared about my pretend life. Having no parents alive and just moving to Los Angeles became our shared story.
When I told Ginger about my parents’ sudden death, tears filled her eyes, and
she threw her arms around me. “We have been through so much of the same things. I’m so glad we met, J.”
She gave me a nickname. Nice. Now I find out more about the boyfriend. “I am so glad, too. I really have no one here since I broke up with my boyfriend.
It’s been a relief to find such a great friend.”
“You’ll find someone, like my Jeremy, one day. I promise. You’re so
beautiful, J. I can’t believe any man was stupid enough to let you get away.”
Once again, tears filled her eyes.
Not rolling my eyes would be my greatest test in this game. Sniffing, I said
softly, “I found out he was cheating on me and I couldn’t bear to spend another
day with someone who couldn’t be with me…only me.” Wiping away a tear, I laughed. “I guess I don’t like to share my toys.”
Ginger let out a small laugh, but her cheery demeanor changed. I had struck
a chord. I felt I needed to pluck harder.
“I mean, she was just the perfume girl and he would meet her in the morning,
when he should have been at work. You wouldn’t believe the lies he told me.
The worst part is, he would have sex with her in the morning.” I stopped as if the story was too painful to share.
Ginger patted my hand, encouraging me to continue.
“Then, he had the nerve to make love to me in the evening. How can anyone
with self-respect and dignity ever live with that lie? I’m just not that girl.”
Ginger was silent while I talked.
“What’s wrong, Ginger? Are you okay? Did I upset you?”
“Oh, I’m a horrible person. A truly bad person.” Ginger looked around to confirm we were alone. In a hushed voice, she said, “My boyfriend is married.
He says it is a loveless marriage, and he’s only staying with her until they stabilize her medication. She’s bipolar and goes into a horrible rage where she breaks everything. She’s even tried to kill him. I saw the home he made for her.
She really shouldn’t be angry.”
I wanted to slap her across the face. “You were in his house? You’re lucky his wife didn’t show up.”
“No, she was at a women’s luncheon. He even let me try on one of her evening gowns.” She giggled. “I didn’t wear it long before he had me out of it
and on their bed.” Her voice rose as she continued to talk about Jeremy’s horrible wife. “You must think I am terrible, but they haven’t had sex in two years.”
More like two hours, I thought wryly_.
Taking my hand, she said, “Do you hate me? I promise I didn’t know he was
married until it was too late. When I found out, I was so head over heels that I
couldn’t imagine life without him.”
“Oh Ginger, you don’t have to apologize to me. I understand. Men play with
our heartstrings.” I patted her hand, and then checked my watch. “Look at the time. Don’t you need to meet with your stud soon? I know that’s why you run off
after our workouts.”
“Not today, he has a work meeting, but he’s going to make it up to me tonight. He made reservations for us at a cozy Italian restaurant and booked a hotel that overlooks Rodeo Drive. Can you believe it? He said we’re going to shop and shop until we fall into bed. He is so kind. I can’t believe I found a man like him.”
