S2/03. Convergence

3.8 Mae West
Summer 1998, Mae's & Nia's apartment

Since Mae knew about Jenny Brandenburg frequently visiting Herbert, the sports teacher spooked around in Mae's head. She was dying to talk it over with Nia, but she had to be patient since she didn't want Mariella nor the boys with their stupid comments to overhear.

Once the neighbors left, Mae quickly tucked the kids into bed. The apartment had only two bedrooms, so she left hers to the guests and would sleep in Nia's tonight.

Just before she closed the door, she couldn't resist a sudden whim, though:

"Can I get you something else?" She asked. "Water, more blankets, condoms?" She snickered.

Fernandez instantly flashed up bright red, and Mariella sneered with disgust. "Get out!" She yelled and threw a cushion. 

Before it could hit her, Mae quickly closed the door and giggled. She wasn't seriously concerned. They were still kids, barely fourteen after all; and far more reasonable than most – Herbert, for instance – would give them credit for. Additionally, Mae'd early drilled the importance of protection into her grossed-out stepdaughter's head, and Fernandez would never be less cautious than the impulsive Mariella, anyway.

When they'd need contraception, they'd take care of it themselves.

Now that the kids were taken care of, Mae rushed over to Nia's room to tend to the really important matters. 

In few but florid words, she spilled the steaming hot tea of her ex-husband and his married coworker.

"You don't say!" Nia cried out after Mae'd finished; in the manner only a true best friend could do. Of course, with the matching facial expression.

"Though," Mae said, warmed by her roommate's honest concern, "I'm sure it's not what Mariella thinks. You have to literally spell it out for him if a woman likes him." It was said with a little bit of grim, as Mae thought back of how she'd kept calling and asking him out, and how it'd been always her who'd initiated conversations and physical contact. At least he'd always responded to her efforts with great excitement. 

"What if she does spell it out for him?" Nia pierced Mae with her eyes.

Mae hesitated. 

No, she couldn't rule that out. It would fit the Jenny Brandenburg she knew. If she were into Herbert, in the first place.

Mae managed to crack up a small laugh over the little knot in her stomach. "Even then, I doubt Herbert would get involved with her. He's just not the type for affairs or any other scandals. And, I just cannot believe he'd like someone like her."

"But if she's at his house so often, he has to like her somehow, doesn't he?" Nia insisted. "Of course, he wouldn't spill it all around, yet. Him being freshly divorced, her being married..."

Mae didn't answer. In her head, a million thoughts jumped all over the place, many of them contradicting each other.

Nia examined her with growing concern.

"Aww, baby!" She then cried out. "Don't be sad... I know it hurts, especially since he cared so little about you in the end – but you've got to hold your head up high! I bet she's a total downgrade from you, anyway! I mean – a sports teacher??"

Mae had to giggle.

"Ah, no, no. It's not that!" Surprisingly, she wasn't jealous as Nia'd assumed. On the contrary. "It's more like... I wonder why I ever found Herbert attractive. I mean – he's super nice and stuff, certainly looks good for his age... he's reliable, honest, and- and just safe, and I still love him- somehow... only..."

She sighed.

"Only I actually don't love him. Poof; it's like a switch flipped; and he's just not- hot anymore!" She said, not finding better words to describe her sudden indifference.

Whenever she imagined kissing or touching him now, instead of a heart ache she felt very little to nothing. The butterflies in her stomach resembled more nausea than passion.

Nia squinted. "What? How?! Just yesterday you didn't want to leave your room because he's seeing someone!"

Mae fumbled on her braid's end until she had to retie it again.

"I don't know... I didn't know it was Jenny Brandenburg. Since Mariella told me about her, everything is weird. I mean- I'm still sad, but whenever I think closer about it, I really can't find it sad anymore that we're divorced. I always wished he'd ask me to come back, show me that he still loved me – but now I'm glad he doesn't."

"Yeah, well..." Nia said slowly. "For some people it's when their crush picks their nose, or whatever that turns them off. Could it be that for you it's that he likes that teacher?" 

Bam.

Nia hit the nail on the head!

Mae shuddered.

"Oh goodness, yes! She's so... so dull, and closed-minded, and boring! And Herbert..." Mae sighed. "Despite their opposites, he likes the same things, he thinks the same things, and he wants the same things as Jenny. He's actually not very different from her. At all. I mean- I knew how he is, just- I used to think those were just some cute quirks, but suddenly it seems like that's all there is to him."

Nia chuckled a little. "Well, from what you've told me about him, it probably is. But you girl, you need someone more complex. To bring a little more spice and sugar into your life," Nia smiled with dreamy eyes.

Instantly Mae pulled a face, as spicy Roy and sweet Francesco popped into her mind, and a few other very exciting, but also very short-lived romantic encounters she had before she'd met Herbert.

"No thanks," she said with confidence. "I had enough of relationships. I'll rather stay happy and single!"

Nia looked at her with a little pity, but quickly her face lit up. "So you're ready to mingle again, yes? Happy single-mingle? Now that you're over your ex, you can have some fun again!" She winked cheerfully.

Mae eyed her suspiciously. "I don't want to fall in love again," she said, but only half-heartedly as she was curious what her friend was up to.

Nia laughed lightly and waved her hand. "No! No love! But that's no reason to become a nun. I think a little messing around will do you good, too. Especially since your love life at the end of your marriage was anything but exciting!" She squinted conspiratorially. "And lucky you; I happen to know someone who may be a little into you!"

"No way!" Mae exclaimed, and couldn't help but smile. Hearing that there were still other men who liked her after she was dumped over and over, lift her spirits. She quickly skimmed over the people she met since she'd moved here, but she couldn't find the slightest clue. But even though she burst with curiosity, Mae had to admit to herself that she wasn't ready yet. It was better not to spoil anything: Before Nia could say a word, she quickly raised her hand. "No, don't tell me! Not yet!"

"Aww! Okay, okay," Nia surrendered. "But you have to tell me once you change your mind!"

"Of course I will!" Mae confirmed. "But, now tell me who you are messing around with. You said that it'll do me good, too, don't think I didn't notice! Who are you seeing?"

Nia's lips curled up into a playfully bashful smirk. "It's very fresh – so you cannot tell anyone yet, okay?"

"Okay, okay! Spit it out! Do I know her?"

Nia paused dramatically, before she replied.

"Chloé!" She giggled.

Mae gasped.

"Shut up! But doesn't she-" 

"-literally fuck anyone who moves?" Nia finished her sentence and grinned. "That's exactly what I need now to make sure I don't catch feelings. Be free, just live my live. No love, you picked that up, too, didn't you? Oh come on, don't make that face!"

"Are you sure?" 

Mae wasn't convinced. Nia was, same as her, a little too prone to catch feelings, and Mae couldn't help but be a little worried.

"Of course," Nia assured with confidence. "And actually, she's been really sweet after Kayleigh left. And Chloé doesn't need to pretend to get laid, you know that."

"That sounds already almost like a little love, at least," Mae insisted.

Nia just laughed. "No chance. I know her too well, you know," she said.