Lies

May 2003


"Alie you home?" I called out as soon as I opened our front door. The chance she was here was slim, she generally stayed at Dean's seeing as he had his own place.

"She's taking a shower. How's it going Jules?" Dean greeted me standing in the kitchen doorway holding a bag of potato chips.

"I'm OK how are you? How's the internship going?" Dean started a paid internship recently. Alicia loved it, he wore a dress shirt and slacks everyday which I will admit complimented him nicely.

"Great actually, this morning I was offered a more permanent position after my 90 days are up." He smiled before digging in for another chip.  "We're going to grab food to celebrate,  you want to come?"

"No, no go have fun, and congrats!" I declined quickly. I didn't want to impose on their date.

"Yeah come Jules, I haven't seen you much lately." Alicia emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her.

"Fine, just keep the pda to a minimum, if you can." And with my statement Dean started laughing as he put the chip bag down  and walked to Alicia.

"Guess we should get all that touchy feely stuff out of the way first then huh." Dean wrapped an arm around Alicia and lightly lifted her off the ground heading towards her room. She squealed the whole way while I just shook my head.

"I'll be at Vicky's, come get me when you're done." I yelled out, I doubt they heard me so I scribbled a note on the messenger board by the door.

I was relieved when Vicky answered. She was sporting a short pixie cut with pink tips and dark roots. On anyone else I would say it didn't work but she pulled it off.

"Hey hon, I haven't seen you in forever.  How's my favorite neighbor?" Vicky walked towards the kitchen and asked if I wanted some tea. After fixing two cups she slid one in front of me at the table.

"Things are good, work is a little weird though. I think Shelly is up to something." I poured some golden honey in the hot mug, I love honey and Vicky always had local raw honey from Temecula that was so delish.

"What's she doing?"

"I'm not 100% sure but I think she's giving the client a fake higher quote and then showing them the real quote at a much lower price then telling them the difference is a life insurance discount.  I don't know what she's doing to the quote to make it so much higher though."

"That's not good she's flat out lying to the customer. Have you talked to her about it? "

"No, I just figured it out today when a client came in and argued about a free life policy she said he'd get. She's my friend though I don't know how to ask without her feeling accused. Plus what if she tells me, what would I do then?"  A part of me didn't want to know, I feel like I would have a hard time not telling Don.

"Listen kiddo, I know it's tough her being your friend and all but if she has no problem lying to a client to make a sale who knows what else she's capable of and the last thing you want, as a friend is to get stuck in the middle of something and be accused of being in on it." Vicky smiled kindly at me and squeezed my shoulder as she got up to answer the knock at the door.

"Dean and Alicia nice to see you two!" She gushed at them and pulled them into a group hug. They exchanged hellos and asked if I was ready.

"We're going out to eat, wanna join us Vicky?" I was thankful Dean offered, I'd feel less like a third wheel.

"No thanks hon, Frank is coming over for a night cap," a huge smile spread across her face before she added, "if you know what I mean."

"Thanks for the advice Vicky, we'll see you later." I stopped her from getting into details,  because she really would.


Dara greeted us happily at the hostess stand of their favorite Thai place. I'd only ever had their take out and was excited to finally dine in.

"So nice to finally meet you Dara, Alie always raves about you and this place." I introduced myself to Dara.

"This place is special for the special couple. Best customers hands up." She said with a thick accent.  She noticed our confused faces and like a light bulb went off she raised her brows and corrected herself, "hands down, best customers hands down. " She laughed as she showed us a table by the window.

After ordering some spring rolls Dean asked how my day was. I sighed as I relayed the info I told Vicky earlier.

"Oh my gosh Jules you have to tell the agent!" Alicia said when I finished talking and took a big bite of my spring roll. Yum this place is so good,  my stomach growled in agreement.

"I know but she is our friend Alie, I think I might ask her, maybe I can talk her into stopping, or maybe I'm wrong and just missed something when I quoted that guy."

"You know I thought Shelly was shady after I found out the whole story about Allen and the maid was probably fake." Dean piped in as he reached for the last roll. Alicia and I both turned our attention to him and stared in disbelief as we waited for him to elaborate.

"Wha?" He said with a mouthful.  "Wait you guys didn't know?"

"Babe," Alicia tilted his chin to face her. "By the look on our faces, no we didn't, now please tell us why you said that." She paused and before removing her hand she pulled him closer and gave him a quick kiss. "You're too cute." I heard her whisper.

"Guys,  focus!" I said snapping my fingers trying to break up this sudden distraction.

"OK, back when Alie and I were first dating and Shelly was sleeping on the couch I over heard her talking to someone on the phone.  It was the middle of the night and I was making myself a sandwich after working up an appetite. " He smiled looking at Alicia making her blush. I cleared my throat to get his attention when he wasn't continuing.

"Well she was talking low and telling someone she was sorry for sleeping with her coworker but that she was expecting a ring from whoever was on the phone and if she would have gotten it she never would have, as she put it 'screwed the loser'."  Dean's face brightened when our food arrived. I figured he was going to get quickly distracted so I slid his plate closer to me.

"Why didn't you tell me babe?" Alicia stuck out her bottom lip and pouted.

"Listen woman when I got back to the room all I remember was you being naked," he shrugged his shoulders. "Besides she moved out not long after and I figured she probably told you guys since she was hooking up with Gavin."

"The guy on the phone was probably Allen, wait you said she apologized about sleeping with a coworker!  Was it Don or Patrick? " I practically yelled at Dean. I felt bad for raising my voice so I slid his plate back in front of him.

"I don't know,  that's all I heard." He looked at Alicia then back to me. "Can I eat now?" He asked timidly, we just nodded. Alicia and I continued in between bites to figure out if there was anything else we thought Shelly might have lied about. By the end of dinner I was angry and confused. I always thought Shelly was such a good friend but I guess I was wrong.  Now I just needed to decide if I should go to Don about the life policies or ask Shelly. But then again if she slept with Don, would Don believe me or better yet, would he care?

When we got back home I got ready for bed, I was just about out when my computer sang out to notify me I had a message.

Jacob - surfing lesson on sat?

Me - yes! Water is too cold for swimsuits?

Jacob - I'll have a wetsuit for you

Jacob - but you should probably wear a bikini for under

Me - was going to wear my bday suit but a bikini would be better ;)

Jacob - your plan is better, meet your place at 6am

Me - 6am!! Fine but you better have coffee

We went back and forth a couple more times before my eyelids were too heavy and I drifted to sleep.