We’ll Meet Again Someday

Fifteen Years Ago…

“Is she spying on me or what? Just what is it with her?” Riana wondered aloud as she and Mark sat by the pool with Kara and Randy the next day. “I asked her the same thing,” said Mark, “and she kept saying the strangest things.” “Like what?” asked Kara. “First, she suggested Riana do some volunteer work, and as I told her, that isn’t for everyone.” Riana spoke. “Kara and I combed my air conditioning vents looking for bugs or cameras of any kind. I felt as paranoid as Ellie—and I still do—but we didn’t find anything.” “I wouldn’t let her drive you too crazy over this and make you all paranoid and stressed out,” Mark said. “Audra’s just a bitch who hates everyone, and she obviously gets off on picking on anyone she can. It’s a power-and-control thing.” “And unfortunately,” Kara added, “she’s got the perfect job for that.” “The question is, what’s motivating her?” Randy, who had been silent, asked with curiosity. “She may like to control and intimidate others, and she may be a mean person at heart, but people don’t usually do these kinds of things without a reason.” “It does seem like a personal vendetta of some kind,” Riana agreed. “At least that’s the feeling I get. But what could it possibly be?” “Maybe it’s because you’re Jewish,” Kara said. “Or maybe it’s because she’s so ordinary-looking and you’re so pretty.” “Jewish, maybe,” said Riana, “but pretty? I don’t think so. There are others here who are even prettier, and they don’t seem to be tormented by her.” “Maybe you remind her of someone she hates. Or maybe she doesn’t like short people or low-income people,” Mark threw in. “Could be a bit more complicated,” said Kara. “Perhaps she’s feeling things she’s not used to feeling, and it’s freaking her out.” “Huh?” asked Riana. “Trust me, it happens,” said Kara. “What happens?” asked Mark. “Well, when some people can’t be connected to certain individuals in specific ways, they figure that if they can’t get their attention in a positive way, then why not get it in a negative way? To some people, bad attention is better than no attention,” Kara went on. “From what I gather, Audra’s married. Perhaps she was raised conservatively, too. Either way, she’s married, she’s committed, she’s no longer free to experiment. Then along comes this beautiful girl. If she’s been into women in the past, that may be hard enough for her. But if she’s never been attracted to a woman before in her life, that might freak her out all the more and cause her to lash out the way she has.” The group took a moment to sit in thoughtful silence and digest Kara’s words. Kara went on with her idea. “Some of the things she’s said suggest jealousy, Riana. She was trying to convince Mark to dump you, after all, and suggested you stay put and by yourself. If I’ve got my facts straight, opposites attract in the gay world, right? Well, Audra’s tall, flat, and blond. You’re short, busty, and brunette.” The foursome mulled this theory around in their minds for a few more moments, then Kara asked what Riana thought about her idea. “Interesting concept, but nah, I don’t think that’s it. I think the answer’s simple. The bitch is a prejudiced bigot who hates gays and maybe even Jews, too,” Riana said. “So I’d say this frustrating attraction thing that can never be explored or developed, as you put it, is the least likely possibility. She’s just a true bigot at heart—although I have to admit the bitch has certainly said and done some mighty strange things that make me wonder about other possibilities as well.” “Like what?” someone asked. “I was in the Jacuzzi last night. There were a few others with me, and there was this one guy in particular that she started talking with as she walked by. I wasn’t paying any attention to the conversation until the very end.” “What did she say that caught your attention?” “She was offering the guy her after-hours number.” “So?” “So, the guy was hesitant to take the number and said he didn’t want to bother her.” “So?” “So it was almost as if she were baiting me. Like she was hoping he’d take the number and see if I would try to weasel it off of him.” “Did she ever give him the number?” “Not then, she didn’t. The guy told her he’d get it from her some other time.” They sat in silence, pondering the information Riana had just shared. Finally, Riana said, “I still don’t think this is about attraction, but again, she really makes me wonder at times.”