Broken Bond

Tim and Bill had been nearly inseparable since meeting one another in kindergarten. Now at the ripe young ages of 19, the now college sophomores were about to embark upon yet another new challenge in life. After nearly fifteen years of friendship, Tim and Bill would experience a rift that neither could have imagined nor saw coming. Despite years of going through the various challenges that life had presented, from navigating kindergarten and the subsequent years of grade school, to dealing with adolescence and conquering puberty, learning how to drive and subsequently dating, this challenge would prove to be insurmountable, thus leading to the dissension they would experience.

Having decided to attend the same college, it came as no surprise that they chose to be roommates. Remember for nearly the past fifteen years they had been inseparable. In their freshman year of college both Tim and Bill did what most college students do when away from the rules, regulations, (and to some extent restrictions of home)… they partied! Mind you they didn’t just party, I mean THEY PARTIED! This is not to suggest that they had previously been socially inept and were now venturing out and learning to become the life of the party” if you will, but they decided to enjoy being on their own and able to make decisions for themselves for a change. In other words, now that the cats (i.e. mom and dad) were away, the mice (Tim and Bill) chose to play. They didn’t do so at the expense of their studies, however, play they did.

In their exploits Tim and Bill made new friends – both male and female. It would be the latter which would lead to the cause of their separation. Having attended numerous parties previously, going to this particular party should have been no different. It was hosted by one of the fraternities on campus and it promised to be quite the social event. Both Tim and Bill had been approached by members of the fraternity to gauge their interest in joining, but neither of them was interested in doing so. Despite not being ready or willing to join this or any other organization for that matter, they were all for attending the parties they threw, as the legend of these parties was known around the campus.

Upon arriving at the party, they saw both familiar and unfamiliar faces. However, there was one unfamiliar face that stood out from the rest. As told in fairy tales throughout the ages, there was an attractive young lady across the room that caught the eyes of both Tim and Bill. She was exceptionally beautiful. Despite the room being filled with other young ladies that were attractive in their own right, this young lady stood out among them all. After seeing her, they argued as to which of them would be the one to make an attempt to get to know her. They both wanted to and made their way across the room to make her acquaintance. As they made their way through the crowd, Tim managed to get ahead of Bill and got there first. “Hi, I’m Tim. You’re breathtakingly beautiful. May I ask what your name is?” “Hello Tim. My name is Cindy.” Not long after Tim and Cindy began talking, Bill arrived. Seeing the two already conversing Bill chose to back off. Tim and Cindy continued talking and were seemingly hitting it off as they danced and continued to get to know one another better.

A few hours passed and Tim asked Cindy if he could walk her back to her dorm room to which she obliged. After saying good night and sharing a kiss, Tim made his way back to his dorm room. Bill was there already, seething with anger from the missed opportunity to meet Cindy first and thus him being the one coming back from her dorm room. “I’m shocked you decided to come home. Thought you two would have found a 24-hour priest to marry you the way you two were going” said Bill. “Are you serious? Please tell me you’re joking. Cindy seems like a great girl and all but let’s go that far. I mean we did just meet a few hours ago” responded Tim. “I know but you two were hitting it off, and I mean REALLY hitting it off” said Bill. “Well, it worked out that way I guess. Can’t say I’m not happy that it did. Cindy’s not only beautiful but she seems to be a wonderful person overall. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have met her,” said Tim. “I’m sure you are. I’m sure you are” Bill ominously replied.

As time went by Tim and Cindy had become inseparable. Whereas this had once been the case with Tim and Bill, Bill had now been replaced by Cindy in Tim’s life. While he didn’t openly display or express any signs of jealousy or animosity, Bill was not happy with what he was witnessing, as he preferred to occupy Tim’s place in Cindy’s life instead.

One day as Tim arrived in his journalism class he was met with news that would be life changing. Without his knowledge, his professor had submitted him for an opportunity to work at a news station. Out of the many applicants for this position, Tim stood out among them all and was awarded the job! This was definitely a moment to celebrate. As wonderful an opportunity as this was, there would be a catch. Accepting the job meant moving to New York for six months. Here it was things were getting off to a great start between he and Cindy, and now he would be faced with the prospect of having to leave.

Tim went back and forth in his mind the remainder of the day as to what he should do. While he knew this was a tremendous opportunity, he didn’t want to leave Cindy. He called her to ask if they could meet and talk later. Hearing the seriousness in his voice she suggested that he come to her room around 8:00 so they could talk. Not wanting to delay this very important discussion, Tim arrived at Cindy’s room at 7:45. He shared the news about the opportunity with which he had been presented and that taking it meant he would have to leave for six months. Cindy was simultaneously happy and devastated. She was both happy and proud of him for being selected, yet she was not happy at all about him leaving town to do so. They both cried and reached the conclusion that the opportunity was too good to pass up and that they would deal with the separation.

The time came for Tim to depart for New York. Cindy and Bill drove him to the airport and they said their goodbyes. As they headed back to the car, Bill seized the opportunity to take advantage of the moment and Cindy’s vulnerability. “Hey, I know you’re down in the dumps about Tim leaving. So am I” he said. “Let’s go get a bite to eat” Bill suggested. “Okay, that sounds fine” answered Cindy. A couple of hours later Tim phoned to let them know he had safely arrived. “I’m coming to see you just as soon as you get settled,” said Cindy. “You most certainly will and I can’t wait until the time comes. I’ll be counting the seconds until you get here” answered Tim.

With Tim in New York, Bill pounced on the opportunity to approach Cindy. Ever since seeing her at the party months earlier, he had been attracted to her. Despite his lifelong friend having been the one to establish a relationship with her first, Bill threw caution to the wind and made his move. Bill called Cindy regularly under the guise of concern for her given Tim being away. Thinking he had done enough to make her feel comfortable, Bill did the unthinkable – he called and asked Cindy to go out on a date. He didn’t outwardly say he was asking her out on a date, but his intentions were clear and obvious. Cindy was taken aback and told him as much. “You’ve been Tim’s best friend since you guys were kids and you think this is okay?” she asked. “Cindy it’s not a big deal. It’s just dinner and a movie between friends” Bill replied. “Well then I guess you wouldn’t mind Tim hearing about this then” Cindy suggested. “Not a problem for me. I don’t think he would mind.” With that Cindy immediately hung up with Bill and called Tim. After exchanging pleasantries, she told Tim that Bill had asked her out. “Wait a minute. Bill asked you out? On a date? He’s supposed to be my best friend!” shouted Tim. “I thought you should know what your best friend was up to” answered Cindy. “I’m calling him right now to get to the bottom of this.” Tim called Bill to ask him about what Cindy said. Bill told Tim that Cindy took it out of context. “After taking you to the airport we went to get something to eat then. I don’t see why it’s such a big deal. I just wanted to take her out on an outing so she could have a fun night out as I know she’s missing you” said Bill. “That’s right, she’s missing me as I’m missing her. I’m not filling my time with anyone while I’m away and I don’t appreciate you suggesting that she ‘have a fun night out’ without me, and of all people with you! I can’t believe you’d try this Bill we’ve been friends since we were kids. You’re like a brother to me. At least I thought you were” Tim solemnly replied. “Well if that’s the way you feel about it Tim then I have nothing else to say” answered Bill. “Fifteen years just down the drain. That’s it?” asked Tim. “I guess so. If you feel the way you do what can I do or say that will change your mind?” responded Bill. “Nothing. I have never felt so betrayed in my life. I am devastated by this but I’ll get over it” sighed Tim. “Guess so. Given you’ve already moved out I don’t expect you to come back here when you return from New York” suggested Bill. “You’ve got that right. I wouldn’t live with you if you were the last person on earth!”

Six months passed and at long last Tim returned from New York. He was greeted by Cindy at the airport with Bill nowhere in sight. It had been several months since they last spoke – and the conversation did not end well. Nearly fifteen years of friendship had come to an inglorious end. “I’m sorry that you and Bill had a failing out but I had to tell you” said Cindy. “It’s not your fault babe. I loved Bill and hate that things got to this point, but I appreciate you for letting me know. Never in a million years would I have thought he would betray me like that. Guess that’s the price I paid for finding the most beautiful woman in the world” said Tim. Cindy blushed and she and Tim shared a kiss. Immediately after their kiss, Tim dropped to one knee and pulled a small ring box from his pocket and proposed to Cindy! While she was definitely not expecting this she was overcome with joy and couldn’t say yes fast enough. Despite the sad and unfortunate ending of Bill and Tim’s friendship, he would be preparing to embark on a new chapter. A new chapter that would include Cindy in his life – as his wife!