It's About Time that I Came Clean with You
Chapter 10:
I Found Out Recently That You Are Leaving

"So…" she said, that Georgia twang, even if muted by years of city life, still echoed in her voice. It seemed to make her warmer, more real - at least to me. "How long are you staying?" The 'g' almost fell off of her final word and I wished I had an answer for her. I wish I could muster the courage to speak at all. It had been months since I saw her crazy mop of hair and dumb dog. Unfortunately, it wasn't me she was asking.

I'm not often jealous. I leave that to Raph. If I were doing a full analysis of him, I know I've already mentioned it - how different we are - I would say he's the one that would get jealous. However, I don't think he's jealous so much as easily embarrassed and that translates to rage...or at least hitting something. Honestly, Leo is more likely to be jealous - as backwards as that seems. Leo is susceptible to all sorts of things that don't appear obvious, and that's okay. I'm beating around the bush, I know it, because I am jealous.

"Oh, you know, long enough."

I made a face. I could have come up with something better than that! Hey human man, how about you say something like…at least until the sun comes up. Er, okay, I suck at this too. And it's very clear that I suck at this relationship thing as well. Of course, there was never really a relationship and I've pretty much boiled my actions, as of late, down to the definition of stalker. I excuse this by pretending like everyone we keep an eye on for safety purposes we're technically "stalking", and she was - kind of - even if it was my fault - passed by, by the Foot so they could be aware she exists. See me...talking myself into it, like it's okay. I'm a stalker. And I'm jealous. I'm a jealous stalker.

Great.

This was not the best time to realize that I'm a full on A grade stalker. I guess, in the best way possible, at least I'm only a stalker and not a harasser too.

Then I wondered, long enough for what? What was he staying long enough for?! It didn't matter that he had the physique of a man to worked out all day (I did that too, by the way, work out all day that is) and he could be on one of those trashy romance novel covers (that I could not accomplish), but he was in there with my Ellie, talking about staying. As I hopped across the fire escape, so I could see into the room better, it happened.

It happened!

I thought for sure I was going to lose my cool. Tuesday was licking his face! That dog liked someone?! I'm not sure if that's a question or not, probably both. I'm not even sure he liked Ellie, he just worked for her. I even saw his tail wag, while gym-goer, handsome, human, man scratched behind his ear. Then he pet his head. Then he koochie-cooed that damn dog. I was jealous that Tuesday liked him too.

"Jerry, don't get Tuesday all excited. And don't you be pulling that, "long enough", on me bull. Are you here to bring me back cause momma said to or are you here to have a nice stay with family?"

No...this is almost worse, now I can't even say goodbye; now with him there. Jerry moved over to the next room and when that muscle-bound, dog-loving, monster did, she turned her head my way and lingered for a moment, looking at me on fire escape. It was a dumb thought, she couldn't see me even if I wanted to believe she did. And then I realized something worse...she was planning on leaving. Forever. I, irrationally, felt a temper tantrum coming on.