Forgive Me by Stacy Campbell

walk in the park all the time in Indianapolis.”
    â€œSo you’re mourning Winston, Emory, and Aruba?”
    â€œThat’s not fair, Yvette. I’ve been through a lot.”
    â€œJoin the hurt club! Everyone’s experienced something painful. It pains me right now to see you giving Aruba so much power over your life and emotions. She doesn’t deserve that much energy,” Yvette snapped. She didn’t mean to give such a terse response, but Aruba was renting too much space in Victoria’s head, and someone needed to tell her. If she had to be the designated informant, so be it.
    Victoria’s chest heaved and tears streamed. “You didn’t have to be so direct!”
    â€œYes, I did. You can hate me all you want, but friends don’t let friends go around looking like Negro spirituals.” Yvette pretended to hold a microphone. She deepened her voice and sang, “Nobody knows the trouble I seen …”
    â€œStop it, Yvette!”
    She switched to an English timbre. “Nobody knows my sorrows.”
    â€œYou win! I’ll go walking with you. Anything. Just stop embarrassing us!”
    Yvette exited Planet Fitness, her voice rising as she sang, “Sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down, sometimes I’m almost to the ground.”
    Yvette drew attention now, and Victoria pushed her back playfully. Victoria laughed. It was deep-in-the-belly guffaw Yvette had never heard.
    â€œIs my singing what you needed to break your funky spell?” Yvette asked.
    Victoria continued to laugh as they sat in Yvette’s car. Pleased her plan was working, Yvette enjoyed seeing her friend smile. Even if Victoria didn’t accept the olive branch she extended, she’d walk away knowing she had put forth the effort of genuine friendship with her.
    â€œSo how far are we riding?” Victoria asked after catching her breath.
    â€œSit back and enjoy the ride.”
    Yvette hit I-75 and turned off her music. She wanted no distractions as they rode to the park.
    â€œI was too abrasive earlier. I feel you’re trapped by all the sadness you’ve experienced. Life gets better—if you’re open to it.”
    â€œWhat makes you think I’m not open?”
    Yvette pursed her lips and gave Victoria a quick glance. She didn’t want to veer off the road, but part of her wanted to pull alongside the road and recite the list of slights she’d endured. She kept driving.
    â€œLet’s see. You’re Ft. Knox secretive about your life.”
    â€œIt’s not good to tell people your personal business.”
    â€œYou clam up when anyone mentions, well, mentioned, your relationship with Emory.”
    â€œI wanted to keep things between us sacred.”
    â€œYou really don’t like women, except your Aunt Marguerite. I’m still trying to figure out how you feel about your mother.” I’m being too forward. Let me soften up.
    â€œI wouldn’t say I don’t like women. It’s like I told you when you stopped by with Marguerite, the betrayal with Aruba was so strong I haven’t recovered. My whole life was turned upside down because of one person.”
    â€œTurned upside down, yes, but not over. Are you telling me you plan to stop living because of Aruba…” Yvette snapped her finger. “What’s her last name?”
    â€œDixon. Aruba Dixon. Wow, I guess I should say Faulk since she married my ex.”
    â€œHer last name doesn’t matter. I wanted you to say her full name to make her real. If you could see her right now, what would you say to her?”
    â€œI wouldn’t say a word. I’d punch her in her face and beat her within an inch of her life.”
    â€œReally? You’re so sensitive that you don’t kill bugs, so I know that’s not true.” Yvette thought of another way to broach the subject. “Pretend I’m her. What would you say to me if I