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Slow Burning, Part Two

We're such good friends. We're kind of lucky, you and I. You say it all the time. Like remember that time when I finally decided there had to be changes in my home and I said nothing to Dougie for about four days after I kicked him out because I was serious? The shit had to stop. Remember? Well, he ended being gone for forty days. Remember that time when he stopped in to see the kids and half the neighbourhood, a few of your friends and family were hanging out on my front lawn? Yeah, you remember, don't you? I do. You said, "Hey, hey, Dougie. I just want you to know I am not going to treat you any different now that you two are getting a divorce." Wait. What? No one cares about your opinion. On my front lawn. Least of all Dougie. But what? You're still going. You won't shut-up. You actually hold your finger up to me, you know with your free hand and tell me, "No, Dougie needs to hear this." Your superman husband stepping in and shutting you up. Again.

Heeeeey, do you also remember that time when you didn't talk to me for two months? Good friend? On my front porch, first coolie in, not even 11 am and you said to me, with a flippant shrug. "The whole you and Dougie thing, I didn't want to hear it." Wait. What? She said that to my face? After I have listen to her bitch and whine about her mother for...wait? What? Seriously, lady, for up to ten hours a week. For the last year. Wait. What? Did you really say that to my face?

Hey! Wait. Remember all those times you were the greatest friend of all? Like just letting me know so I knew. Like the times you let me know that my other neighbours were drug dealers and all they were good for was that and not much else? Like seriously, don't tell them your shit, you said. The wife used to come around a lot and she's a nice lady, but her husband controls her. Does whatever he tells her to. He's mad at me so I don't see them anymore. And there's weird, crazy sex slave stuff. And I'm pretty sure they burned down their old house to get that one. Remember all that? Gee, thanks, friend. Thank you for warning me. Good, good friend.
Hey. Remember that 'joke'. The one the other neighbours played on me. That was the label we officially gave it, right? Joke. You helped get me there. Maybe a week after Dougie moved out. You know. Me. Alone. With two young kids.
Hey, remember when you went to the neighbours and told them you knew about the joke and said, "I think she is trying to break-up our friendship" to the wife? The wife who had already made it clear to me long ago that she was no more than just hello, friendly neighbour with you? What?

Wait.
That's not all? There's more?
What?

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