Arachnophobia (2024)
I don’t need to listen to her manipulation anymore. I never should’ve, but other people will also be affected if the source of ignorance is never faced. The only thing that will be left over is shame towards myself.
BY KRYSTA SHELEPINSKY
IMAGE BY CAMEO VENCHIARUTTI
I look through the peephole of my house’s door, and I can’t believe my eyes. My ex-girlfriend is having sex with someone on my front doorstep. I never expected to be calling her my ex-girlfriend or just ever witnessing something like this in person. However, I do know that the driveway is heated, and that it would be painful to do it on concrete.
It takes me a moment, but I come up with a brilliant response.
“What the fuck, Rachel?” I say, shielding my eyes from being further embarrassed.
“Hey, Jay,” Rachel responds casually. “This is Blake. He is going to help you sell your house.”
“Nice to meet you . . . Blake,” I say, hesitant to reach out my hand to shake his.
“Likewise, Jay,” Blake says, and grabs my hand anyways with a toothy grin. “I’m sure the heated pavement will attract a true homebody.”
“I’m sure of it,” I say, dumbfounded. “Hopefully, you can help me move away sooner.”
“I’m sure I can, pal.” Blake says as he hands me his business card, which looks like a child being forced to smile when angry.
With relief, I close the door on their faces as Rachel is about to say something. It would be considerably rude to not truly listen, and only stare at her breasts as Blake’s smile tries to blind me. Although, I do appreciate her help in finding a real estate agent who makes clients nervously look for comfort in their house. For that, I appreciate how good Blake is at his job.
*
The next day, I wake up to more thumping noises that come from the general direction of my front driveway. I’m not scared to find any thieves trying to break-in, but to again see the woman whom I’m broken up with, alongside a realtor. To my surprise, I find Blake stomping down a house sale post that has a picture of his face in my front yard. He is making some effort to keep his clothes on and help me get away. I smile happily as this new reality unfolds, but Blake mistakes my gesture for an act of friendship.
“I wouldn’t mind coming in for some tea,” says Blake with a returning smile. “I do need to actually see the inside of the house itself, and not only go off what Rachel was describing.”
“She would know,” I say, slightly annoyed. “It’s a four-bedroom house with two bathrooms, and an upstairs plus a downstairs kitchen.”
“That’s exactly what she said!” Blake says, laughing.
As a response, I set the kettle and let it hiss at Blake. I’m sure he has gotten into hot water before, so it shouldn’t be a literal problem.
“What tea would you like?” I ask Blake, hoping for any mention of Rachel to simmer down.
“Just anything you got,” says Blake nonchalantly.
I open the cupboard doors and find that all the tea is gone. I’m not actively trying to undermine Blake’s authority, but it seems as if I have my own Boston Tea Party going on.
“Well, there’s actually nothing left,” I say, and the kettle lets out its final hiss.
“That’s fine,” Blake reassures. “Why don’t you show me around the house?”
I start by showing Blake the first bedroom. The floors are vinyl, the room opens up with a light neutral paint coat, and the queen-sized bed is perfectly equidistant from either approaching side. LED lights shine from above, dimming as preferred by the future homecomer, but find themselves outrivalled by the electric fireplace that can also change colour.
The second bedroom is kind of bullshit in comparison. It probably has something to do with Rachel sitting in the middle of it, drinking the tea.
“It’s an open house,” she says, looking into my eyes.
I look away and say, “This isn’t necessary, Rachel.” But to stand up for myself, I need to let go of humiliation so that Rachel can finally leave me alone. Looking back into her eyes, I say, “Cheating isn’t on the table, and you aren’t welcome at my open house.”
“I’m buying,” Rachel says, amused. “You wanna get away from me, don’t you, Jay?”
“Surely I do, but I don’t have to keep giving in to you,” I say.
Blake shuffles uncomfortably, losing the toothy grin that made him look idiotic.
“Rachel,” he starts, “Maybe it’s best if you leave for now.”
Rachel glares at Blake, clenching her hand madly around the teacup.
“You said you’d convince Jay to sell if commissioned,” Rachel says in a warning tone.
“But I didn't know you cheated. I thought you were in an open relationship,” Blake says.
I look from Blake to Rachel, and then from Rachel to Blake.
“Why did you guys have sex on my front porch?” I asked.
Blake looks at me with a frown on his face.
“She said that you’re moving to further your career as a porn star,” Blake mutters.
“No, Blake. I am not a porn star,” I say, shaking my head.
“I—I did like Rachel, too,” Blake says, “Before I found out she was using us both.”
I consider Blake’s words, and how his awfully fake grin doesn’t seem to be returning.
Instead, Blake says with a defeated expression, “I’m sorry, Jay.”
“Thank you, Blake,” I say, shutting out Rachel’s words.
I don’t need to listen to her manipulation anymore. I never should’ve, but other people, like Blake, will also be affected if the source of ignorance is never faced. The only thing that will be left over is shame towards myself.
Turning to Rachel, I say, “Starting fresh means I need you to leave my life. It’s not because you’re my ex, it’s because you’re a bad person. You lie, you cheat, and you steal.”
Rachel looks at me in disbelief. She begins to speak, but I cut her off.
I point my finger, and say, “Please leave my house. I will never welcome someone like you.”
Krysta Shelepinsky is a student enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative and Professional Writing Program at Humber College. She is excited to continue writing stories and hopes to publish her first book within the next three years, utilizing the skills she will develop throughout her time in the program.
Image: Arachnophobia (Cameo Venchiarutti, 2024)
Edited for publication by Louis Simonin, as part of the Bachelor of Creative and Professional Writing Program.
HLR Spotlight is a collaboration between the Faculty of Media & Creative Arts and the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Innovative Learning at Humber College in Toronto, Ontario. This project is funded by Humber’s Office of Research & Innovation.