February 2
Monica was up putting the final touches on her latest paper for her Bible as literature class when she was called down to the dorm lobby to answer the phone. Three weeks without a word from him; she feared the worse – he'd chosen to forgo an investigation into their situation in favor of saving his family. It was noble of him, and it didn't surprise her in the least, but she wasn't quite fond of being left where she was, nor being left there alone. And the thought of his giving up on their future together – future in both senses – pained her so much she avoided as best she could thinking about the subject.
"John? Did you learn something?"
"No. I'm sorry, honestly, I haven't been spending as much time on it as I should. But I have been working on it. Just nothing to report."
"Oh. Then why did you call?"
"I wanted your advice."
"What kind of advice?" Even he wasn't so clueless as to miss the exasperation in her voice.
"You were always there for me during the divorce and I... I mean, things aren't going as well as I'd hoped they would. They're going much worse, in fact. Barbara's suspicious of everything I do and say. I don't know what to do, Mon."
"John, I can't help you with this. Don't you understand? Yes, I was there for you when you were having marital problems the first time, but I can't do it now. Things aren't the same between us. We were friends then. We're... something else... in 2002. Don't expect me to ignore that."
He was silent for a long while. "I'm sorry. God, I'm such an idiot. I don't know what I'm doing."
"You'll figure it out, John. I just can't be objective for you."
"I'm sorry. Do you... do you want to meet in New York this weekend?"
"No, not till you figure it all out. Or until you actually have something that gets us closer to the truth."
There was more silence. Much more than before.
"John?"
"I'm an ass, ok?"
"Hey, I didn't say that. You're in a precarious position, and I understand your desire to save your marriage, I really do. I'm just unable to help you... I've got homework, anyway. I should go."
"Monica, I'm sorry."
"I know. Goodnight, John."
"Goodnight."