Childhood Companion

Sorry, James, but Ive fallen for your wife, Tom said, his eyes fixed on some distant point. The words seemed to spill out despite his will.

James froze, a torrent of emotions flashing across his face. He struggled for breath.

I swear there was never anything between us, Tom hurried on, Kate has no idea at all.

James stayed silent. Time seemed to halt.

And when did you decide I needed to hear this? James asked, his tone cold and even.

Were friends, arent we? Tom replied, still avoiding eye contact. I thought youd tell me what to do His voice trembled with hidden anxiety.

You want advice from me? James sneered bitterly. Youve set your sights on my wife and expect my blessing? Brilliant!

No, youve got it wrong, Tom protested. If I wanted her, Id have taken her. You know me. But I cant. Youre like a brother to me.

Brother? James rose from the sofa. Remember when you ran off with Daisy from Victors house? You swore eternal friendship then too.

Exactly! That was back in school. Kate is a different story.

Yes, a different story. Shes my wife and shes pregnant, if you havent noticed. Sostay out of our lives.

Seriously? Youd betray our friendship over a woman? Jamess voice trembled with bewilderment and hurt.

Its about my family, not just a woman. Do you think Id betray you? Tom shot back. And why should I be accused of betrayal?

Didnt you start this? James snapped. Take Kate to the cinema, Im busy, Help her with the garden, Drive her to her parents. You fed me your wife on a platter! I liked being useful, you know?

Get out, James opened the door, his calm unnerving. And dont come back. Forget us.

Fine. Truth be told, I was hoping for a different conversation. My conscience is clear now.

Tom left, and the moment the door shut he dialed Kate.

We need to meet. Its important, he said.

Whats happened? she asked, worried. Come over, James is still at work. Well wait together.

I cant. He he told me Im not allowed in your house

Why? What for?

I dont know. I thought youd explain.

Im confused, Kate replied, flustered. Lets meet in the park then.

They met. Kate listened without interrupting as Tom recounted how James had exploded, accused him of vague offences, and spoke of a nonexistent affair with Kate. He didnt lie; he simply omitted the crucial facts.

Your husband thinks Im tearing your family apart, Tom finished, staring into Kates bewildered eyes.

Thats nonsense, she whispered.

James is just jealous, Tom said generously. You never noticed?

He could see the puzzle forming in her mind: Jamess sudden questions, his irritation with friends, his constant suspicionsa perfect breeding ground for doubt.

What should I do? she asked, pain in her voice.

Talk to him. Tell him hes wrong and that youre just friends.

He wont believe me.

Then say nothing, he whispered, gently touching her hand. Stay here tonight. Let him feel what its like to be alone.

Kate stared, fear and anger flickering in her eyes, along with something new and dangerous.

Alright, she said finally. But Im counting on your integrity.

The first step was taken.

The rest of the evening Tom played the understanding friend. They shared tea, recalled funny anecdotes, and he caught her gazeconfused, yet gradually interested.

When Kate fell asleep on the couch, he didnt wake her.

The next morning James called, his voice hoarse from lack of sleep.

Is Kate there?

Yes, Tom answered calmly, not blinking. Everythings fine. Shes just decided not to come back.

Silence stretched. Tom imagined Jamess face and felt a grim satisfaction.

Tell her the door is closed for good, James said, choosing his words carefully. Forever.

The line went dead.

Kate awoke to the conversation.

What happened? she asked.

James he doesnt want to see you anymore. He says youve made your choice.

She burst into tears. Tom held her, offering hollow comfort. He wondered why she mourned a past happiness he had so easily shattered.

A week later Kate packed her bags.

Im going to my mothers, she said without looking at him. I need time alone.

Of course, James replied, nodding. Go.

She left, whispering, I no longer trust any of younot you, not him, not myself.

James was left alone in a vacant flat. The silence pressed down, turning thoughts inside out.

His plan, once clear and elegant, cracked. He had intended Kate to be torn between them, to watch James suffer while he basked in his humiliation. Instead, she fled and ruined everything.

He slumped onto the sofa, staring at the ceiling, childhood memories surfacing.

James always seemed luckyscoring the winning goal, breezing through exams, attracting attention without effort. Envy had simmered for years, quiet and sour, until it turned into hatred.

Life scattered them apart, and a chance encounter brought everything back. James, now a thriving entrepreneur with a beautiful wife and an unborn child, exuded a calm, confident smile that reignited Toms longsuppressed bitterness. He wanted, impossibly, to knock some sense into the perpetual winner, to snatch a fragment of his happinessif only for a moment.

He never imagined it would be so simple.

A call shattered the quiet. An unknown number reported an accident: Kate had been hit while driving to her mothers house.

Tom sat frozen, unable to move. This was no longer a cunning scheme or a revenge plot; it was a disaster.

James, hearing the news, spent sleepless nights at the hospital.

Through pain and tears, Kate told him everything: how shed been coaxed into believing Jamess jealousy was baseless, how shed been persuaded to stay just to teach him a lesson. James held her hand, his earlier fury drained, his only relief that his wife was alive.

A few days later James returned home to change. On the stairwell, Tom waited, pale and restless.

How is she? James asked hoarsely.

James, his eyes dimmed by loss, answered simply, thinking of the child theyd lost.

Its over, he muttered.

Tom went even paler, convinced Kate was gone for good.

I didnt mean this, Tom blurted, tears spilling. I was jealous your whole life! You had everything, I had nothing. I saw you happy and couldnt stand it. I wanted to hurt you, to ruin your family. I never expected her to leave, never expected this.

James listened silently, then said, I never expected anything good from you, but you did surprise me by confessing. Does it help?

Sorry, Tom rasped. I never thought it would go this far.

Think more often, James replied dryly. They say it helps. Thats all, goodbye.

He disappeared down the hallway.

Tom stood alone, unsure which way to turn. Slowly, he began to walk away, the weight of his own envy dragging behind him.

In the end, he learned that jealousy does not destroy the object of desire; it erodes the jealous heart itself, leaving only emptiness where once there was passion.