Page 42 of Picking Pismo

“Welcome back, I guess,” Claire stated then she forced a smile. “Bring it on.”

With a warm smile, Jennifer said, “You were born ready.”

Claire couldn’t help but laugh. Clapping her hands together, Claire replied, “I guess I was.”

The day sped by. With each new appointment, Claire quickly found her rhythm again of coming up with a plan for each patient, leading them through the various strength training exercises, and giving them a list of things to do on their own. She had missed her work. And most importantly, it took her mind off her life. Plus, she didn’t think about David once.

After finishing her shift, Claire sang along to the radio driving home, finding herself in a better mood than she’d felt in ages. She even picked up some take-out Chinese food on the way home, in hopes Alexis’s first day was a good one too.

Unlocking the front door, Claire almost felt happy. “Alexis, I’m home,” she declared.

Claire removed her shoes by the door, dumping her purse and other things next to them. Wandering through the apartment back to the kitchen with food in hand, Claire called out for Alexis again. When she didn’t emerge immediately, her stomach clenched tight. She wondered if Alexis hadn’t made it home okay. Placing the food on her two-top dining table, Claire went in search of her sister. The door to her spare bedroom, now Alexis’s room, was closed.

Knocking lightly on the door, Claire asked if she could enter. When she didn’t hear a response, Claire opened it anyways.

Then lo and behold, Alexis was face planted on her twin bed fast asleep. Claire went over and shook her lightly. “Alexis,” whispered Claire. Alexis wasn’t an easy one to wake up. “Alexis. I’m home.” Claire shook her shoulder a second time.

Groggily, Alexis slowly opened her eyes. “You’re home.” She flipped to her back, stretching her arms high above her head. Claire sat down on the corner of the bed. Alexis swung her legs over the side, sitting next to her. “I’m so tired. The new dance studio is no joke. It’s twice as hard as the place in Pismo. I thought the instructor would never let us leave.” She swiped at her eyes. Her blinking returned to normal.

“Other than that,” Claire bit the inside of her cheek, “did it go okay? Were the other dancers nice? Did you get lost riding the bus?” Questions came in rapid succession, whirling around in her head.

“Whoa…” Alexis ran a hand over her head. Her hair was still in a tight bun. She started pulling out some of the bobby pins, loosening her hair. “I only just woke up. Give me a minute.”

Nervously, Claire laughed. It was amazing how much she worried about Alexis. Quickly, without noticing, she had transitioned from sister to parent. “Okay, I’ll try.” Claire waited.

Once Alexis removed the bobby pins from her hair, she vigorously shook her head. Placing the bobby pins on her bed stand, Alexis exchanged them for her phone and slid it into the pocket of her jogger pants.

Alexis stood and said, “David texted me.”

Claire froze. “He did?” She forced her expression to remain impartial. She tried to not let on that his very name made her stomach do funky things. “And what did he want?”

With shaky knees Claire stood, wandering out of Alexis’s room. Alexis followed her to the kitchen.

“Only to wish me luck on my first day at the new dance studio,” replied Alexis.

Once in the kitchen, Claire unloaded the cartons of take-out food from the plastic to-go bag, placing them on the counter. “How did he know you were starting dance today?”

Alexis went to the cupboard, taking out two plates. “Because I told him.”

With a carton in hand, Claire eyed Alexis suspiciously. “Since when have you been texting David, I thought you were mad at him, and on my side.”

Swiveling back around, Alexis placed the plates on the counter and opened the Chinese noodles, spooning some onto her plate. “He texted me after we left his orthodontist’s office.”

“Oh, did he?” Claire tried her to act nonchalant, focusing on opening each carton. “And what did he say then?”

Reaching for the orange chicken, Alexis opened it and spooned some onto her plate next to her noodles. “David apologized for hurting me and asked if we could stay in touch.” She shrugged. “I told him sure. But I won’t text him again if you don’t want me to.”

Claire wondered why he hadn’t bothered to contact her. Then she remembered David was doing exactly what she instructed him to do. “How about that,” stated Claire.

Alexis stopped spooning food onto her plate. “You’re not mad are you?”

“No,” Claire whipped her hair over her shoulder. “David’s a nice guy. He can ask about you. I’m glad he cares.” Claire dished herself out some food from the various cartons and took her plate to the table and sat. Alexis joined her. Claire ignored her impulse desire to ask for more information, to pry every detail out of Alexis, hoping David had asked about her.

Digging into her fried rice, Claire continued, “So, Alexis, tell me about this super hard dance studio.”

And the subject of David was dropped.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

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