Forty-one

“I cannot believe you still decided to stay with him.” Betty said.

“Not stay, work.” Maisie corrected.

“Still the same thing.” Betty said but Maisie rolled her eyes. “You believe what he told you, didn't you?”

Maisie nodded her head subdued this time and when Betty opened her mouth to talk, Maisie started to talk before Betty could get a word in edgewise. “I know that I might be acting lovesick or you think that I am a dummy for giving him another chance, but I know that he didn't cheat on me, not on purpose, I love the guy and he loves me, I know that I shouldn't believe any word that he said but I do believe that. I wish you could know how I feel about him. If you did, you would understand why I know that what he is feeling is real.” Maisie said and Betty stared at her. “Say something, Betty, please...”

“Fine, I will, just so that you will not launch into another speech. You do give speeches about those things you were crazy about. You are crazy about him and I do believe you.” Maisie smiled as she hugged her friend.

“Thank you, Betty.”

“I only believe you so that you won't talk my ears off about love, feelings, and all that, okay.”

“So far you believe me.” Maisie said with a smile.

“If he didn't cheat on you and according to you, you know this then why are you not with him? I thought you loved him " Betty asked in confusion.

Maisie smiles. “I do love him, but love isn't everything, there are situations and circumstances where love cannot make two people stay together. I want to see how well I can do without him before I go back into the relationship.”

“And he is just going to wait?” Betty asked with eyebrows raised.

“He loves me and when you do love someone, that's what you do. You wait for them even when you know that there is no chance of them ever coming back.” Maisie said with a sad smile while Betty narrowed her eyes at her friend.

“There is something you are not telling me. Sooner or later, I am going to find out what it is.”

Maisie smiles. Betty was exactly what she needed: a controlling father, a caring mother, and a crazy best friend all rolled in one. She would eventually tell Betty about the time she and Zach spent together when he was a ghost. She wouldn't believe her of course but she hopes that Zach would be by her side when she tells the story.

“I am going to get a car and I will pick you up from work.” Betty said.

"Betty.” Maisie started in a warning tone.

“If I am going to stay here, I will need a car and I need to search for the perfect store for my flowers.”

“Has anybody told you that you are crazy?” Maisie asked Betty.

“yes. You do it all the time.” Betty tells Maisie with her eyebrows raised.

“I stand correct.” Maisie replied with a smirk.