Unraveled - A Short Story Collective by KR BANKSTON

beginning to think it just wasn’t even worth it.
    Lathan was sitting in his car in the parking deck trying to gather his mind. Chrissalyn and her visit this morning had him completely rattled. Damn she almost pushed me there , Lathan thought to himself. He knew admitting the truth wouldn’t give him a moment’s peace from Alisha. She wouldn’t let them be together, she would destroy him at work, Devon would hate him forever, and with all the drama Chrissalyn might just leave him anyway. Fuck, fuck, fuck , Lathan thought to himself dejectedly. He’d trapped himself with Alisha and she’d wrapped him like a spider would a fly in its web. Break up with her ass first , his mind tried to reason. Lathan sighed deeply recalling the couple of times he’d tried to distance himself from her and how foolishly she’d reacted. He suspected she was still screwing around with her ex, but he’d never been able to prove it. That would be great , Lathan thought smiling slightly. It would definitely give him the perfect out to leave her ass alone and be with Chrissalyn.
    His thoughts then fell on Devon. Lathan and Devon went back years, and they were close. This would definitely end any friendship the two had but in his mind, Chrissalyn was worth it. All he knew was if he didn’t do something soon, she’d give up on him and be with Devon completely. Lathan took a few more deep breaths and gathered himself. Make that break today man , Lathan thought to himself of Alisha as he headed back to his office.
    “Yeah, gotta do that today,” he mumbled aloud as he passed her cube and she blew him a sly kiss.
    *****
    “Hey Jackie,” Chrissalyn greeted the woman who’d joined her at the break room table.
    “Hey Chriss,” she replied as she set up her snack. “So how are you and Devon doing?” she asked casually and Chrissalyn smiled slightly.
    “We’re fine,” she replied and Jackie grunted softly. “So have you managed to convince yourself you love him yet?”
    Chrissalyn looked at the woman stunned at the statement. “Why would you say something like that Jackie?”
    Jackie chuckled. “I’m not young Chriss and I been around long enough to know what I see,” she replied never taking her eyes from the young woman.
    Chrissalyn still didn’t answer. She didn’t have one. She cared for Devon, but she wasn’t completely in love with him.
    “Look, you and Lathan need to stop all the bullshit and get together if that’s what ya’ll wanna do,” Jackie told her once again.
    Chrissalyn sighed deeply. “Lathan doesn’t feel that way about me .”
    Jackie chuckled again. “He tell you that?” she threw back.
    Chrissalyn told her no, it was just what she’d observed. Jackie laughed fully.
    “You two are really beginning to get on my nerves,” she replied honestly, looking at the woman hard. “Look, when are you two gonna stop living for everybody else? You and Lathan love each other, and you need to work that thing out and keep it moving, feel me?” Jackie finished and gathered her stuff not waiting for Chrissalyn’s answer.

Chrissalyn was still completely blown away by her encounter, but she had to admit what Jackie said made a lot of sense. She was just tired of the entire state of affairs. Her cell rang and she looked at the display. 
    “Hello,” she spoke into the receiver as the caller identified themselves and began their conversation. After hanging up from her call Chrissalyn sighed deeply. Well, after tomorrow none of it may matter anyway, she thought to herself of her impending appointment and headed back to her desk.

 
    9
     
    “O K look, bullshit time is over,” Jackie was telling Lathan as they enjoyed their wings and drinks.
    The two were meeting again and talking about his situation. “She only has a week left,” Jackie told him again, pointing a wing at him.
    Lathan sighed deeply knowing she was right. Chrissalyn had accepted a new position at another firm in the city, given her notice and would