Over the past few weeks we have heard about the demise of a 10 year best friendship between Liz and Pam, when Liz fell in love, and Pam felt neglected and forgotten. Last week we explored what the women thought, felt and reflected on during some space that ensued as the result of a falling out when Liz announced her engagement. After 6 months of silence, Liz has gone to Pam’s house and rang the doorbell…. What happens next? Read on to find out…. (If you missed the first instalments, and want to read them, click here for Liz is in Love. For Part 2; Possessive Pam, click here. For Part 3; Space, click here. )
Liz feels sick, maybe she should leave the flowers and drive away before Pam can answer! Too late, she hears the footsteps. Pam is confused, as she wasn’t expecting her new gay friend Max for 2 hours. “I hope he is ok” she furrows her brow as she answers the door exclaiming “Gay men are fashionably late, not early Max!” But stands in stunned silence as she is unexpectedly face to face with a person she never expected to see again. Finally she stammers “You’re not Max…” awkwardly, and Liz see’s her in! “Who is Max, she smiles, stepping forward and thrusting the flowers into Pam’s face!
Dumbfounded, Pam follows her to the loungeroom, where Liz comments on the changes Pam has made to the furniture arrangements. “Wow, a lot changes in 6 months, you’ve got a GAY boyfriend and look at you, in your designer active wear…” Pam puts the flowers on the dining room table and Liz rushes over to find a vase and put them in water. Pam jumps on the treadmill, she needs to expel some of the nervous energy she is feeling.
Returning to the room, Liz perks on the edge of the sofa, peering at the person she thought she knew. “Aren’t you going to say hello?” Liz insists. “I wasn’t expecting you, I am a bit surprised is all” Pam responds, with a measured calm tone that irritates Liz. “Well if I am not welcome I will leave.” Liz says, standing up to leave, but leaving the invitation in an envelope on the lounge. Pam knows what it is, and still, after all this time, she still experiences a pang of disappointment that the wedding is still happening. This upsets her and makes her guilty all at once. “Stop” she says as Liz reaches the doorway. “You are always welcome here.” Her voice is not as steady and calm now, it quivers, and a tear rolls down her cheek.
“I tried to call you and message you so many times. I even wrote you a letter. You never answered. I thought I had broken us forever.” Pam lowered her head, and kept her eyes on the pedometer of the treadmill. She was thankful for the rail to hold, or she might not be able to stand at all. “Broken us?” Liz repeated, more as a question than a statement. In unison, the women both said “I wasn’t a good friend.” “Jinx” Pam yelled, as though she was still in second grade. For the first time, in a long time, they both laughed.
“You were right” Pam started “I wasn’t being supportive, I was jealous and insecure, and because of what I was going through myself, I couldn’t be happy for you. I’m sor….” “Don’t you dare apologise!” Liz cut her off before she could get the word out. “I wasn’t happy for you either, that is why I left the paper, I couldn’t stand to see you moving on up without me. Then I was awful to you, and I ‘m the one who should be…” Pam interrupted Liz this time “There’s no need for apologies. What we need is a conversation.” She spoke more confidently now, stepping away from her machine and towards Liz. “But first a hug, and a thank you for the lovely flowers.”
The 2 friends embraced, and both started smiling and crying tears of joy and relief. It felt good not to carry the grudge any longer, and even better to be together again. Grabbing some napkins from the holder on the dining table, Pam pulled out a chair and gestured for her friend to sit down, taking the napkin and dabbing her friend’s tears. “It really is so good to see you. Thank you for coming!” Liz smiled. “Thank you for letting me in!” she responded. “Well, I didn’t really, you just kind of barged in…” Pam pointed out and they laughed. “Wine.” Pam said grabbing a bottle of red and popping the cork. “We need wine…” But Liz put her hand over the glass. “Not for me” she said. Genuinely grinning, Pam asked Liz if she was pregnant. Laughing Liz shook her head. “No, I actually don’t want kids. I don’t think I have said that out loud before….” She trailed off. Pam looked concerned. “Does Dan know?” And Liz shrugged her shoulders in a way that told Pam that he did not know. But when she opened her mouth to speak Liz stopped her and said “enough about me Pam. It was always about me. Even I am sick of me. I want to hear about you! You look great. Tell me everything, what have I missed?”
And so they talked about Pam’s health kick, and how she had changed her life, taken up fitness, made new friends, about her new friend Max who would be here soon, and about the dates she’s been on since Ben vanished for good. And of course, how Liz had been right about him, he was married, and Pam was better off without him! She disclosed her failed IVF and Liz got up and hugged her “I had no idea. I’m so sorry Pam. You would have been a great mother.”
Soon there was a knock at the door as Max let himself in. “Is someone special here?” he called as he wandered into the dining area. He could see there was a car in the driveway, so he knew she had company. “Yes!” Pam called out “very special, come and meet her.” The girls heard him squealing “HER?! Are we both queer?” And he appeared around the corner and carelessly poured himself some wine. “Well I don’t care if you’re a man, a woman, or horse” he exclaimed “You better not hurt my best friend!” Liz winced at the term. Pam had a new best friend, would there still be room for Liz in her life? “I’m not a lesbian Max, sorry to disappoint you, but this is Liz.” Max’s eyes widened as he exclaimed “THE LIZ?” Before extending a hand to her. “Pleased to meet you. She talks about you all the time, looks like I have competition now doesn’t it?” Liz held out her glass. “I think I will take some of that wine after all.”
The 3 friends sat and chatted for another hour, before Liz took her cue to leave, as she was clearly intruding on Pam’s time with Max. “I want to see you again soon, there’s still so much to talk about and you’ll need a bridesmaids dress fitting….” Pam cried again “You still want me in the wedding party.” Liz reached out and grabbed her friends hand. “Of course I do. I can’t get married to my husband without my wife. Who would I dance with then!” Heading for the front door, Liz turned to say goodbye to Max “Nice to meet you Max, we will meet again. But first I need some solo time with our bestie!... Friday night, me and you?” she motioned to Pam. “Oh I have a date Friday, sorry. Second date actually so if it goes well, I wont be free Saturday either. I’ll be at the markets on Sunday morning, then I am meeting my old school friend on Sunday night….” She trailed off, realizing how busy she had become in Liz’s absence. “Can I come with you to the markets then, on Sunday morning?” Liz asked. “At 5am? You!” Pam teased. “You’re worth it.” Liz smiled. “4.30am I will be here.”
She kissed Pam on the cheek. “I missed you so much.” Again they spoke in unison and laughed. “Whenever you need me for that dress fitting, I will make myself available.” Pam called to Liz as she made her way down the driveway in the dark. Once in the car alone, Liz felt happy and sad all at once. Pam had changed so much, she felt replaced by Max and threatened. It dawned on her that must’ve been what Pam felt about Dan, as she couldn’t remember the last time she made time for just Pam without Dan practically from that first date. She hoped they could make it work.
Tune in next week for the conclusion to this mini series folks….
❤ Love,
Your Best Friend ForNever
xx
