LIZZIE'S WORLD: Let the games begin

‘Time to handle the Frank situation,’ I tell myself, opening up my laptop and opening a fresh email addressed to Frank. ILLUSTRATION | JOSEPH NGARI

What you need to know:

  • ‘Time to handle the Frank situation,’ I tell myself, opening up my laptop and opening a fresh email addressed to Frank.
  • I will have his situation handled by the end of the day, I tell myself.
  • And I always get my way whenever I am determined to get it.

Chris sighs and leans back in his chair. “After our fight last night, I had a long think.”

“And…?” I ask tentatively, bracing myself for the worst. What he says next surprises me.

“And I have decided that the best thing for us is for you and I to spend a few days apart. I have some things I need to work on.”

I suppose the look on my face tells it all, because he gives me a concerned look.

“No, it’s not the end,” he says. “It’s just a break. In any case, you will need a few days to focus on getting ready for your role, no? I prefer if you did it with as few distractions as possible.”

TEARS

A tear escapes my eye. I guess my last nit-pick really did put a nail in this coffin. “But why are you doing this?” I wail.

“I was afraid this would happen,” he observes. “That you would take what I have said the wrong way. Listen, it’s just a few days.”

“Where will you go?” I ask.

“I am planning to go see my daughters and spend some time with them.”

I finally comprehend what he is saying. “Wait, you mean our last conversation triggered your urge to see your children?”

He nods. “And it’s not the fight we had that you are running away from?”

He chuckles. “Why would you think that?” he asks.

My heart is somewhat at rest… until I remember that seeing his daughters will also entail seeing his absolutely, heart-breakingly beautiful wife.

It’s almost as if Chris can read my mind because the next thing he says is: “You don’t have to worry about anything. My ex-wife has moved on. And as you can see,” he spreads his hands to indicate us, “so have I.”

Well, I can’t very well start another fight about that seeing as we are just coming out of the last one, and so I bite my tongue and resolve to have this discussion later.

“When do you leave?” I ask.

“Next week Monday,” he says.

“But that’s just five days away!” I wail again.

“Yes. Listen, I still have some work to do and I don’t want to have this discussion here. At work. Can we do this later?” I nod hastily, dab my eyes with a bit of tissue and stand up to leave, hoping my eyes are not so red that Ciku can see my distress.

I exit Chris’ office and walk towards mine with my eyes on the ground the entire time.

Once at my desk with my office door closed, I sit down and contemplate my circumstance; I will be all alone in a new, challenging position without the person I had hoped would hold my hand being present.

‘Time to woman up,’ I mumble to myself, resolving not to let anything weigh me down. But there’s so much to cope with… sexist insubordination. Chris leaving. Me being alone both here and at home.

HANDLE FRANK

I am in such emotional turmoil – and I feel like I have no shoulder to lean on. Goodness, how I wish Louise was still present and mentally strong enough to be my sounding board because I could really use one right now.

As if on cue, my cell phone rings and when I look at the display, it’s Louise. “Hey, I was just wondering when you wanted to do lunch – is tomorrow okay?” she asks when we’re done with the niceties.

“Yes, of course,” I tell her. It’s not like I will have anything better to do. And truth be told, I will be happy for the distraction. “I have so much to tell you.”

“I have so much to tell you too – including some surprise news,” she says.

“I can’t wait!” I say, trying to sound upbeat and positive. Thankfully, Louise doesn’t notice anything amiss. And so we make arrangements to meet and I hang up, wondering whether I should call it a day even though it is just past lunch time and I already absconded once this week.

‘Time to handle the Frank situation,’ I tell myself, opening up my laptop and opening a fresh email addressed to Frank.

I will have his situation handled by the end of the day, I tell myself. And I always get my way whenever I am determined to get it. So let the games begin.