Free We're Just Friends: Short Story Prequel to Pam of Babylon #8 by Suzanne Jenkins Page A

God, I can’t believe it.”
    She was pale and shaking, obviously trying to control herself. Turning to walk back to her house, we were miles away. “Pam don’t be this way.” Stupid of me to say, but it just popped out of my mouth. I didn’t add, “You’re acting ridiculous.” It was out of character, I thought at the time. Now I’m beginning to think it is exactly like Pam. She was completely unreasonable, but I followed because I was worried about her breathing.
    Although I’m in good shape, I was having trouble keeping up with her at the pace she was going. After about fifteen minutes, I’d had enough and I grabbed her arm. “Wait up, please. I can’t keep up with you.” She did slow down, but her expression was unreadable. I’d never seen her as she was that day.
    “I think we better forget this weekend,” she said, looking at me.
    “Pam, you’re overreacting.”
    “Ha! You come into town a day early, don’t tell me, and then when you see me on the beach, turn and run from me. I’m sorry Jason, but that’s what I would expect from someone who disliked me, not the man I’m engaged to be married to.”
    “I just needed some space, that’s all. I didn’t feel like explaining to you why I’m here a day early.”
    And then, the dreaded question. “Why are you here?” I was tempted to lie to her, tell her Jeff and I had plans, but he wasn’t even in town. I had to be honest with her because I didn’t want to sneak around that evening.
    “I’m meeting Emily’s friend, Joyce Andrews for dinner tonight.”
    “You’re having dinner with another woman,” she said. A red flush was working up her chest onto her neck. I had never seen this on Pam, but I figured it wasn’t good.
    “Yes, she’s just a friend, Pam. I swear to you, she was there for us when Em died and I keep in touch with her because of that and that only.”
    “Why would you lie to me if she means so little to you? It seems like a woman should be worth a lot if you’re willing to lie to your future wife about meeting her for dinner on a Friday night.”
    “I didn’t lie to you.” I had just barely spoken when she slapped me across the face. It was so unexpected I almost fell over. And it hurt! She has a good swing.
    “The hell you didn’t!” she screamed. Embarrassed; I looked around the area to see if anyone was watching us. “Not telling me you’re here because you didn’t feel like explaining you were having dinner with an old friend is just as bad as lying to me.”
    “I’m not arguing with you about it,” I said. “It doesn’t mean anything to me.”
    “Cancel dinner then,” Pam said, firmly. “If it doesn’t mean anything, you should be happy to.”
    Taken aback, I said loudly, “I’m not canceling. It would hurt her feelings. What am I going to say? My girlfriend is acting like a spoiled brat telling me what to do. I think not.”
    She stared right through me. “Leave me alone,” she said. It was pretty awful. Her face flushed, she shrugged away from me and started to run. I guess I didn’t realize she could run but then I remembered she ran for hours a week on the treadmill. I reached out to grab her arm again and she started to yell.
    “Don’t touch me, Jason. Go back to Philadelphia.” I was appalled that a grown woman could act so childish. She’d blown the entire situation out of proportion.
    The weekend was ruined for Pam and me, but I wasn’t changing my plans. I had a great dinner at a lobster place with Joyce and spent the rest of the time in a lounge chair under an umbrella, reading and being waited on by Jeff’s butler. I left for Philly early Monday morning, never having received an apology from Pam and I certainly didn’t try to contact her. I noticed cars coming and going from her house all weekend so she had company. It wasn’t like she was alone.
    During the week, she left a message on my telephone. It explains her behavior, but I’m still feeling disappointed in her