I Play My Part and You Play Your Game

Story Submitted by Kelsie:

I worked in a real estate management office with Samuel.  He was a few years older than I was, but I was closer in age to him than anyone else in the office.  That might be why we became close, and we'd talk frequently.  The office had about a dozen people working in it.

He'd come by my cubicle and flirt, and I'd pretend to be sexually harassed.  It was honestly all in good fun, and he really was a good friend to me.

At the time, I wasn't single.  My then-boyfriend, Jason, was jealous and possessive, only I didn't see it that way, back then.

Samuel knew that I was seeing somebody, and he never crossed the line at work.  However, when he asked me out for drinks one day, I said, "I probably shouldn't.  Jason would get mad."

Samuel said, "Jason doesn't want you to have friends?"

"Not if you're a guy."

"I should probably stop talking to you here at work, then.  Jason probably wouldn't like that, either."

Samuel became distant after that, and even when I'd go to visit him, he'd make some excuse to cut the conversation short, like he was too busy, or that he was expecting an important call, etc.

I felt bad, and I even told him that I didn't like how distant we were becoming.  He responded, "It's for the best.  I don't want Jason to get angry with you."

Eventually, I stopped trying.  Samuel, it seemed to me, was acting childish about the whole thing.

I came down with the flu a few months later, and was bedridden for over a week.  During that time, someone kept leaving fruit juices, boxes of tea, books, and magazines at my door.

After the first few days, I asked Jason if he was the one doing it, but he denied it.  He hadn't come to see me once while I was sick ("I don't want to get infected," he said).  My suspicion immediately fell onto Samuel.

When I finally felt strong enough to return to work, I asked him if it was him.  He denied it at first, then admitted it.  I told him that I thought it was very kindhearted, and he said, "I bet it paled in comparison to how Jason took care of you, though."

I laughed and said that Jason hadn't done a damn thing for me while I was ill.

Samuel didn't laugh, though.  He gave me a look and said, "You're the biggest fucking idiot in the world.  Don't talk to me anymore."

He walked away.  I followed him.  "Sam," I put my hand on his shoulder, "Sam, what's–?"

He shook off my hand and said, "I don't want to be your friend, anymore, idiot.  You're nothing but a waste of time."

He returned to his desk, and I didn't follow him.  I was confused, shaken, and very sad.

Less than a month later, Jason broke up with me to date someone else.  I asked Samuel if he wanted to meet up, but he said, "I don't date idiots.  Sorry."

I don't work in that office anymore, but I'll always feel guilty for the way that Samuel thinks I treated him.