Page 4 of Face-Off with my Childhood Best Friend

Mom: This is her number.

I smile. Mom is being her typical self where Nadia is concerned. I’m sure she would’ve arranged our marriage if she could.

Me: Thanks.

I spin the phone in my hand, nervously wondering if she’ll speak to me or hang up without a second thought.

Or is it possible she’s wondered about me all these years?

With a deep breath to calm my nerves, I press the call button, the sound of the ringing phone echoing in the silence.

Each passing moment feels like a never-ending eternity, intensifying my anxiety.

Finally, on the fifth ring, a soft voice answers, “Hello?”

I gather my thoughts and summon the courage to respond. “Hi, it’s me...”

“Who’s me?”

It’s as if my voice has become completely foreign to her, and she can’t even place where it’s coming from. That hurts.

“Oscar.” I hesitate as I take a deep breath. “It’s been a long time.”

There is a brief pause on the other end of the line, filled only with the faint sound of her breathing, before she speaks again. “Oscar... Is this really you? I can hardly believe it.” Her tone is friendly and a wave of relief washes over me.

My lips curl up into a grin, unable to be contained.

“Yeah, it’s me,” I reply. “I’ve thought about you often over the years, wondering how you were.”

“That’s nice.”

“I’m sorry about your grandpa. I heard he’s in the hospital.”

“Thanks. He’s perked up since I got back. Mom thought he was gonna die. She’s convinced that hearing my voice turned him around. I know she’s just trying to get me to stay here, though.”

“And are you?” I murmur. “Staying, I mean?”

“For now. I’m booked to walk the runway for the Milan and London Fashion Weeks. So we’ll see how he goes.”

“Wow. You made it.”

“Yeah...” She hesitates. “And how are you? I heard you broke your leg last year.”

“You did?”

“I think our moms have nothing better to do than talk to each other about our lives.”

I laugh. “Talking about our mothers. Mine told me you’re in New York next week for a charity event. And I was wondering…” I swallow, just knowing she’ll reject me. But I’ll never know if I don’t ask. “Can I take you for a drink, or dinner afterwards?”

She pauses as she considers it for a moment. “Only if you do me a huge favor.”

“Go on.”

“The charity event booked ten football players from Connecticut to walk the show, but they’ve pulled out.”

“That’s shitty.”

“Tell me about it. Now the organizers need ten men who’ll give their time for free.”

---