What A Mess

All the women of my craft night have arrived, and I am waiting for Ellie, a friend of mine from an old job, who I have been begging to join us for years now. I’m thrilled she finally agreed to join us. Jess is also late, but she called ahead and she’s bringing coffee for everyone. I see Ellie pull up, I rush to the door, and throw it open, “OH MY GOSH YOU CAME!” I pull her into a hug. I feel her stiffen as everyone looks at us, but I say nothing.

I grab her hand and take her around to meet everyone, I introduce her to everyone, once we’ve done a lap around the room, I see that she is holding a colouring book, I didn’t know she coloured, “I see you have coloured penicles, so you can sit with Jess at the table, she's an amazing artist. She works with charcoal. But she’s running late, so set up there and she’ll join you when she gets here.”

Ellie makes a slight face at the name Jess, and I feel like I should remember why, but I brush that thought aside. She takes a seat and opens her colouring book. I take a seat and get into my diamond art. We chat about our days and update each other on workplace drama. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ellie start to relax. I feel good about inviting her.

Suddenly, the door opens, and Jess burst in, "The coffee shop line was crazy, ladies! But I got everyone’s favourite!” Everyone grabs their coffee, and Jess heads to Ellie at the table. I’m sure they’ll be fast friends, and I look back at my diamond art. "Oh! You must be Marcy's friend from her old job. I’m so sorry I didn’t know you were coming, and Marcy didn’t give me your coffee ord- It's you!" I hear Jess stammer.

“It's me," Ellie's voice is tight like she’s uncomfortable. Did they know each other?

“I swear I had no idea you and John moved here, Ellie. My boyfriend, I have one of those now. I met him after you got married. He got a job in the city, so I followed him. I promise!” Jess’s voice is frantic, oh my gosh, Jess is the Jessica that Ellie's mother-in-law was obsessed with! How did I not figure this out? “I’ll go, you can stay, I don’t want to kic-” Jess starts.

Ellie stops her, "Please, I believe you. I promise I do. But I can't do this right now.” She quickly gathers up her colouring book and pencils, "Marcy, I'll call you in the morning.” She races out of my house.

We all just stare awkwardly at each other before silently going back to our crafting. No one asks for the story, I play some music in the background, and I slip upstairs to call Ellie.

She picks up after one ring, “Marcy, I'm not coming back, you can't make me." I wince, she’s not wrong, I have tried to convince her to come back to events in the past, "Look, I know that Jessica isn't to blame and she probably wants to talk, but I can't right now. We just started healing our relationship with his mother. I'm not ready to face the cause of the fracture."

"Girl, I respect that. I wish I had connected the dots between both of y'all's stories before inviting you. Maybe we can find another club for you to join, or maybe you and Jess can talk it out, and you can join us!” I know it’s a long shot, but hey, a girl can dream.

“Honestly, the library has a video game club. John and I have been thinking about joining. So I'm not sure crafting is for me anyway. But I'll think about it.”

I sigh, "Whatever you say, Ellie. Will you still be up for our walk on Wednesday?"

“Of course, Marcy. I'll see you then.” She hangs up the phone, and as I walk downstairs, I hear the chatter of my friends pick back up.