Cathy's Creative Corner: Best Buds (Part 1)

Cam and Ella have been best buddies for as long as they can remember. It started in daycare when Cam accidentally ran into Ella on the playground sending her crashing to the ground. Instantly, he was there helping her up, brushing her off and apologizing. For the next several weeks, the tots watched the boo-boo she sustained start to heal and disappear. This was just the beginning of many things they would share together.

Now, in their twenties, the two buddies are tighter than ever. All through school, they had each other’s back. When kids tried to pick on Ella for wearing glasses, Cam crafted a poster of successful, rich and well-known people who also wore glasses. He affixed it to Ella’s locker. Anytime Cam was too shy to approach a girl, Ella would break the ice for him. She kept him up to date on the latest styles, fashions, fads and what girls liked. When discussing college plans, they were in agreement about being in the same city but attending different colleges. Knowing they both had the tendency to goof off at times, they planned to take their university years seriously. Cam’s going to a private men’s college; Ella, to a private women’s college in the big city of Atlanta. It allowed them that opportunity. Once they put in the work, they’d have lots of places to hang out and explore.

Throughout the college years, Ella looked forward to meeting up with Cam and his friends. He gave her that “zing” she needed at the end of the week. Although he usually had a date, he still hugged Ella and annoyed her every chance he got. Ella dated a few of Cam’s suggestions but they fell short in comparison. The studies during their senior year were challenging. The friends found less and less time to get together. Cam reached out to Ella, who declined because she didn’t want to cut into his study time. Before they knew it, they’re down to the last month, the year was over and graduations were ahead. Today, upon her arrival home, Ella found a handmade invitation slid under her door.

Save the Date: May 8, 2021
Please join us at the engagement party of Cameron Nelson & Angela Woods
Village on the Green
210 Buena Vista Dr.
Downtown Atlanta
6:00pm to 9:00pm
(A small casual event for our college friends before we buckle down for graduations)

Reality suddenly slapped Ella in the face! Cam who? Not my Cam. Her phone ringing yanked the stunned Ella out of her trance. “Hello.”

“Hey, you! Where’ve you been?” It was Cam! “I came by. Did you get your invite? I stayed around for a while but you didn’t show. I guess you took the long way home after class,” he joked

Taking a deep breath, Ella stuttered, “No, I had labs today. And yes, I got your invitation. Congratulations. Didn’t know y’all were that serious.”

“Neither did I,” laughs Cam. “But Angie comes in a close second to you, my favorite girl.”

As usual, Ella brushed off the compliment. “You go somewhere with that kind of talk,” she stammers. “Umm, someone’s at the door. Gotta go. I’ll see you there.” Before she can hang up, the flood gates open! She should be happy for Cam. But these are NOT tears of joy, these are tears of heartbreak! She can’t understand her feelings! She’s never felt this level of unhappiness or loneliness. Has Ella fooled herself into viewing Cam as only her best bud when he’s really meant more? Is she actually in love? That would account for the chills and tingling sensation she sometimes feels when they hug and horseplay. Had she set herself up to lose him by always joking and turning away his advances? Since Cam would only laugh at her rejections, even to the point of making puppy dog eyes, she assumed he was kidding. They never pursued the subject, and now, he’s moved on! Ella can either sulk in her memories or she can do likewise. There are lots of available young men in Atlanta. Cam is no longer calling the shots. But if he calls … Ella will answer.