8. Ill Play the Role
Chapter eight
I'll Play the Role
The breakup changed something.
Not in Meca.
In Miko.
Over the next couple of weeks, Miko found herself checking on Meca more often.
"You alright today?"
"I'm good."
"You sure?"
"I'll live."
"You don't sound too convincing."
Meca smiled.
"I'll be alright."
Miko admired how Meca carried herself.
She never walked around looking for sympathy.
She never made her pain everybody else's burden.
She simply kept showing up.
One afternoon, after they had finished their assignments, Miko and Meca sat in the break room while everyone else rushed to beat the lunch crowd.
The room was unusually quiet.
Miko stirred her drink while staring at the table.
"You miss her?"
Meca looked up.
"My ex?"
Miko nodded.
"Sometimes."
"You still love her?"
Meca took a deep breath.
"I love who she used to be."
Miko laughed softly.
"I know exactly what that means."
"You and Jayson?"
"Mm-hmm."
"You still waiting for him to become the man you keep imagining?"
Miko smiled.
"You know me too well."
"No..."
Meca said with a grin.
"I've just been listening."
Miko looked down.
That answer stayed with her.
Listening.
Jayson always heard her.
Meca listened.
There was a difference.
After a few moments, Miko looked back up.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You know you can."
Miko laughed.
"I probably ask you more questions than anybody."
"I noticed."
She hesitated before speaking.
"You ever dated somebody that was...straight?"
Meca smiled.
"Once."
"What happened?"
"She got scared."
"Scared of what?"
"What everybody would think."
Miko nodded slowly.
"I guess that makes sense."
"It does."
They sat quietly for another minute.
Then Miko spoke again.
"You know..."
"What?"
"I still think about that conversation I overheard."
Meca laughed.
"I figured."
"I ain't gone lie..."
"What?"
"It made me curious."
Meca looked at her.
Curious.
That wasn't a word she expected to hear.
Curious.
Miko continued.
"I've never thought about women like that."
"I know."
"But listening to you..."
She searched for the words.
"It sounds..."
She stopped.
"What?"
"...different."
"Different how?"
"I don't know."
"You make it sound like..."
She laughed nervously.
"...like y'all actually enjoy each other."
Meca couldn't help but laugh.
"We do."
"I mean..."
Miko shook her head.
"I'm explaining this all wrong."
"No, you're not."
"I just..."
She looked Meca directly in the eyes.
"I wonder what it's really like."
The room became quiet.
Meca didn't flirt.
She didn't smile.
She didn't encourage the conversation.
She simply asked,
"You mean being with a woman?"
Miko nodded.
"For real?"
"For real."
Meca leaned back in her chair.
"You asking because you're unhappy with Jayson?"
"No."
"You asking because you like women?"
"No."
"Then why?"
Miko answered with complete honesty.
"...Because I'm curious."
Neither woman spoke for several seconds.
Finally Meca smiled.
"You know..."
"What?"
"A lot of people are curious."
"They are?"
"Some ask questions."
"Some never do."
"Some spend their whole lives wondering."
Miko laughed.
"And some?"
Meca looked at her.
"...Some decide to find out."
Miko felt her heart beat a little faster.
She smiled to hide it.
Then jokingly said,
"Maybe I'll play the role for a minute."
Meca laughed.
"You serious?"
"I don't know."
"I'm just talking."
"You sure?"
Miko shrugged.
"Maybe."
Neither woman realized it.
What sounded like a joke...
Was the beginning of a decision that would change both of their lives forever.