Page 38 of David

“Uh-huh.”

She reads my eyes for a second before doing her version of the happy dance––twirling around and flapping mostly her elbows––and we both laugh.

“Haha. We’re going clubbing this Saturday,” she says, and I shush her.

“Be quiet. I’ll be working Clarissa’s shift on Saturday. And I’m trying to get off work early… to go clubbing you think?”

“Your boss can’t hear us.”

“No. But Clarissa can.”

Chloe looks in her direction. My coworker is ringing up a client, so she has no idea we’re talking about her.

“So, you don’t work on Sunday,” she murmurs.

“No, I don’t.”

“Perfect.”

She does a more restrained version of a happy dance before bending over and hugging me.

“I’m so happy,” she says, snapping upright. “I missed going out with you.”

“I can’t believe you can’t find people in Madrid to go out with.”

“There are people in Madrid, but it’s not the same. Let’s go, ring these items up. I’m hungry.”

6

LIZ

I move my stuff on Friday.

It’s not much. I have my laptop and accessories, as well as my clothing, bed sheets, favorite duvet, pillows, and shoes.

There are a few books, boxes of knickknacks, and one set of plates, bowls, flatware, and cooking utensils to fill the kitchen cupboards and drawers.

In total, about five large boxes and four smaller ones.

Chloe helps me with the boxes, and Terry stops by after work with a bag of groceries.

We eat dinner late––spaghetti bolognese, garlic bread, salad, and dessert––sitting around the coffee table in the living room with glasses of wine in front of us.

It’s not like eating at the kitchen table, but this works for us since I only have two chairs.

I feel good about my life, and I think less about my book and more about my place.

We eat cake and chat.

Chloe brought the cake. Apricot Grande Mariner. Fancy cake like Chloe.

The cake is delicious, and there’s plenty left for me to indulge in when they say their goodbye and exit my place at eleven at night.

My first night at home is uneventful.

I sleep well in my new bed, wake up early, and go to school. And then I head straight to work.

It’s a busy day at Maggie’s, the merchandise flying off the shelves.

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