Jes took in all the instructions and simply said a quick OK as they got out of the vehicle. A tall, well-built Jamaican woman walked into the class and greeted the filled room. A rash of "good evening" spread through the class in response to the cordial greeting from the instructor.
"It's good to see so many of you have brought someone to give you
support on your skit. Why don't we start with an introduction of your
guests? Tanya your guest can go first."
Tanya stood up and introduced herself to those who were guest of
other class members, and then she introduced Jes. Jes stated her
occupation, as Tanya told her, then where she worked. Once she
finished, she sat nervously, waiting for the introduction process to end.
"Jes," Tanya asked, "are you nervous or something?"
"Why are you asking?" Jes asked.
"Because you're fidgeting with your hands and you can't sit still. Just
relax, the class is only an hour, you can make it."
Tanya placed her hand on Jes' knee and smiled a reassuring smile.
The hour-long class had ended and as the girls walked back to the
truck Jes told Tanya that the class wasn't as bad as she had thought it
would be.
"I didn't know you were expecting it to be bad at all," Tanya
responded.
"Well, I had my doubts, but it was a really nice class. Thank you for
inviting me."
Feeling good about the class herself, Tanya replied "any time." As the
girls drove, off Tanya recited the time.
"It's nine o'clock, we're running a little late for drinks."
Jes sat thinking about Gwen and how she hadn't spoken to her since
their conversation.
"I need to call Gwen," Jes spoke her thoughts.
"Whose Gwen," Tanya asked? "Oh, Gwen's my girlfriend," Jes
responded unconcerned.
Tanya drove silently for a moment. Then quickly she told Jes that
there was something she needed to tell her.
"What's wrong," Jes asked.
"Oh nothings wrong," Tanya said, "I just need to tell you something
and being that Gwen is your friend, I know you'll understand when I tell
you."
"What does Gwen have to do with what you have to tell me?"