Page 18 of The Night the Stars Went Dark

I didn’t know which apartment she lived in, only the building, so when I reached the front steps, I sat down. A few residents waved as they used their cards to get into the front door. I sipped my coffee and waited. I think I was there about an hour when I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I pulled it out and smiled when Penny’s goofy face stared back at me. I haven’t updated her profile picture in my phone since we were freshmen. She stole my phone one day and was taking selfies, making goofy faces. I teased her and told her that I was keeping that as her profile, and I just can’t bring myself to change it.

“Hello?” I answered.

“You know you can come up. I think you might be scaring the neighbors with your stalking.”

“I wasn’t sure which one was yours.” I glanced around to see if anyone was staring at me.

“It’s the buzzer that says ‘Vaughn’ beside it,” she deadpanned.

“Ok, smartass. Just for that, I’m going to eat your fritter.” I opened the bag and heard her gasp on the other end of the line.

“You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.” I made a crinkling sound with the bag. I had no intention of eating the treats I bought for her, but I could still tease her about it.

“Ugh, just come up,” she whined as I stood and heaved open the outer door. I pushed the button beside her name, and then heard the inner door click. “I’m hanging up now.” I grinned as I shoved my phone back in my pocket before taking the steps two at a time. When I reached the second floor, I moved down the inner hallway until I came to the door labeled C. I raised my hand and started to knock, but the door opened before I could.

“Hey.” She kicked at the ground with her bare foot.

“Hey yourself.” I smiled.

“You wanna come in?” She stepped back and motioned into the apartment. “It’s kinda messy. I’ve been working a lot lately.”

I stepped inside and she closed the door behind me. “You never were a neat freak, Pen. I know you, remember?” I ginned at her. “Brought you some breakfast.” I held out the coffee cup and the bag with the fritter in it.

“Thanks.” She smiled sweetly before walking into the kitchen. She sipped the coffee, and then opened the bag. I watched her eyes get big as she lifted the fritter to her lips. “It smells so good.” She sighed as she took a big bite.

“I remembered that those used to be your favorite.” I rocked on my heels. I wasn’t sure what to do. I had no plan. I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d even get past the front door.

“Wanna sit down?” She pointed to the couch across the room. “I was watching SNL reruns.”

“Works for me.” I moved across the room, taking in her place as I went. This apartment was definitely larger than her last one. She had an actual bedroom and bathroom here. “I likeyour place.” I sat down. “I don’t remember most of this stuff though.”

“It belonged to my parents. They left me everything. I took a few pieces of what I wanted and sold the rest.” She sat down beside me, fritter and coffee in hand. “My mom loved this couch. She said it felt like you were sitting on a cloud.” She smiled softly as the words left her lips. A lost look came over her face. It was as if she was trying not to feel anything but couldn’t stop it. The tables are older than me. Mom and Dad got them when they first married.” The lost look came back to her eyes. “And then, I don’t need to explain the rest.” Her eyes darted over to the piano in the corner. I have no idea how the movers got that thing up here, but it looks as if she’s never touched it.

“Do you still play it?” I turned slightly, my knees bumping into her legs.

“I haven’t played since the funeral.” She pressed her lips together and looked away.

“Why? Penny, it’s who you are.” I gasped. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Not anymore.” There was no emotion in her voice. The light that used to come from her smile was gone. It was like her whole being had just up and left. “I don’t want to talk about it. Please stop,” she warned.

“Ok, fine. I have the whole day free. Let’s use it to catch up,” I suggested.

“I’m busy.” She finished the fritter and licked each finger clean. I watched and part of me wished I could just tell her how I felt. I needed to get her to be my friend again first though.

“Doing what?” I leaned back against the couch. My body sunk into it, and I understood what her mom meant about sitting on a cloud.

“I’m watching SNL.” She motioned to the TV and then turned the volume up.

“Ok, I’m down for that.” I slipped my shoes off and put my feet up before turning my head in her direction. “What’s your favorite skit?” I grinned. She knew mine, we talked about it all the time.

“I’m kinda partial to the Spartan Cheerleaders.” She tried really hard, but her lips started to turn up in a smile.

“Really? Do they practice in a van down by the river?” I belted out. We both erupted in laughter, so much so that I was grabbing my belly as we fell back on the couch. Penny started hiccupping, and that made us laugh more. “I’ll have whatever you’re drinking.” I chuckled as another hiccup came out.

“You brought the coffee.” She giggled. “I haven’t laughed like this in forever.” She sighed as we both turned our attention back to the TV.

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