Jackie thought her advice was as good as gold. For this reason, she would bestow her advice whether or not it was desired. When her oldest friend mentioned being unhappy, Jackie told her to eat more dessert. When her second oldest friend broke up with her boyfriend, Jackie was pleased.

“He was always wrong for you,” jackie said, “You need a guy who can take care of you financially, because you can’t really make money as an artist.” her friend was shocked to hear this, because she thought her art career was progressing.

Jackie’s boyfriend was aware of Jackie’s judgmental side, but he looked at it from a positive angle. He loved that she cared enough about her friends to listen to their problems. What he wasn’t expecting, was that her high standards would keep her from saying “yes” to his marriage proposal. One night, while they were watching a “life’s too short” movie, he popped the question.

“Let’s get married,” he said, “I love you. You love me. We should spend the rest of our lives together.” jackie was not pleased.

“You’re asking me on our couch,” she said, “This is not romantic. Ask me someplace nicer, and I will consider it.”

Jackie went back to her apartment, and had a very vivid dream that night. She saw her oldest friend sitting at an ice cream counter. She looked almost unrecognizable; hidden under layers of fat. Jackie tapped her on the shoulder, and looked her in the eye.

“Stop eating your feelings!” Jackie said.

“But you told me I should,” said her oldest friend, and the scene faded behind a wave of vanilla. Jackie was suddenly in a fancy restaurant. She was seated in a booth beside her second oldest friend, and a man in a very expensive suit. The man spoke loudly while the second oldest friend played nervously with her wedding band.

“What happened to you–the outspoken artist?” Jackie asked.

“His money owns me now,” her friend said, and the scene faded behind marinara sauce. Jackie was transported to summer’s field. Her boyfriend was down on one knee, holding a box in his hand.

“Jackie, will you eat a hamburger with me?” he asked, and he opened the box to reveal an all-beef patty on a sesame seed bun.

“What?” jackie said.

“Everything looks perfect,” her boyfriend said, looking around, “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“No. It’s the words that are important,” Jackie said.

“But you didn’t think so before,” he said, shoving the hamburger in her mouth. Jackie awoke instantly. She threw on robe, and rushed over to her boyfriend’s house where she shouted, “yes,” and vowed never to let go of him again. From there, she called her friends to tell them the good news, and took back all of her advice. Never again would Jackie give advice without first thinking about the consequences.

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Written by Alex Schattner (8/10/12)

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