. . . so let's make the best of it.
How many times has someone said that to you and in how many different and varied situations?
Joanie has a 'friend' at work (Crissy) with whom she gets along well and may not choose to call her 'best' friend, but generally chooses to call friend. Crissy happens to live right next door to Joanie. Not that this in and of itself happens to be a problem. But the fact that they live next door to each other may very well have played a crucial role in the demise of whatever semblance of a friendship that existed between them.
Joanie has learned over the last five-plus years that Crissy is a little bit unusual, to use a kind word. Crissy has a temper. And she doesn't hesitate to utilize it irrespective of the relationship of the target of that temper to her. Mother, son, husband, friend, neighbor; she is an equal opportunity hot temper. Crissy is also capable of being the sweetest little peach this side of Georgia IF SHE WANTS. No one is really able to accurately gauge which they will encounter any given day.
In the last several months, Joanie and Crissy have learned the the firm by whom they are employed will be making some drastic personnel changes which will inevitably result in many jobs being lost. Crissy has been with the company longer than Joanie. But turns out Crissy was given notice that her position would be terminated and although nothing is certain and the same fate may eventually befall Joanie in the distant future. But nevertheless, both girls know 'the score'. And ever since the announcement was made, Crissy has become more . . . aloof. In fact, sometimes Crissy will gripe that she is losing her job and Joanie is keeping hers while she (Crissy) got Joanie her job in the first place. . . which in truth she DID NOT.
Still, in keeping with her bi-polar-type temperament, on an odd day she will talk amiably with Joanie about one or another trifling, daily matter just as nicely as you please. Now it has been determined at work that Joanie must learn to perform some of Crissy's daily responsibilities. Crissy, as a result (and possibly in an effort to ensure Joanie's failure) is offering as little help as she possibly can in the training of Joanie.
All of this may possibly have been the first straw. But the last (or maybe the two should really be transposed) follows. Crissy's husband Tom casually asked Bill (Joanie's husband) one day if he could hold Crissy's surprise birthday party and Joanie and Bill's house (which to refresh your memory, is located exactly next door to Crissy and Tom). Now Joanie, who has a heart as big as all outdoors (and a reserve of energy to match) has been known to accommodate such things in the past, so Bill told Tom he would discuss it with his spouse and get back to him. Joanie realized that the time-frame of the proposed surprise party was not a good fit to her plans. But in addition, thoughts of the current work situation flooded back into her mind, both resulting in much less than a quick and certain YES of a response.
Inevitably, Crissy's demeanor toward Joanie has markedly changed since all this news has now become known all involved parties. Both couples will attend one party but each will leave as soon as the other arrives. No more friendly, casual greetings are exchanged on Sunday afternoons in the backyard or upon entering the house after a long day's work.
But still, on an odd day, at the office Crissy will ask Joanie if she has seen American Idol the night before, without batting an eye.
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ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
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