Roland needed something. He didn’t know what…but something. Life hadn’t been kind to him lately. First Shelly had left him, then the dog ran away. His kids hadn’t spoken to him in months. He took a swig of cheap draft and sighed.
Charlie gave him the stink eye. He set his own beer down on the table between them. “If you’re going to sit there all night pulling them damned poor me sighs, I’m going home. I’ve got better things to do than spend another night listening to you wallow.”
“Sure.” Roland could hear the whine in his own voice. “You might as well desert me too. Shelly got the house, the kids, and all our friends. I only got you.” He slumped down deeper into his seat, trying not to cry.
Charlie leaned across the table. “You know what? I’ve had enough. Someone’s got to tell it like it is. You got trouble with one person, fine. It’s probably them. But you got trouble with everyone, Rollie. There’s a reason for that. People are fed up with your hateful attitude. You’re not happy unless you’re putting someone else down.”
“That’s not true, I…”
“Shut up and listen. I’m not finished. The only reason I hang on is we’ve been friends since kindergarten, but I’m about ready to pull up stakes too. You hate everyone. But I’m pretty sure it’s because you hate yourself more. “
“How’s that?”
“Everything you say about other people is stuff you hate about yourself.” Charlie pushed a piece of paper across the table. “This is a number for a clinic. You need a therapist.”
Sometimes we all could do with someone who’ll give it to us straight. I’d like to think Rollie listened, but who knows?
A good friend for sure
Everyone needs a straight-shooter friend like this.