Page 104 of Every Chance After

“That’swhy I did it,” Roy jumps in, “to encourage her to get back out there. There’s no good reason a fine lady like her should go unattached for long. Got her my cousin’s number, too.” He taps the envelope I’m still holding. “He’s her age, likes a good time, and gets out in a few days.”

“Gets out of what?” I ask through gritted teeth.

“Jail. Just some unpaid parking tickets. Nothing violent. Anyway, Marnie could use a rebounder, right? He’d make a fun pizza delivery boy if you know what I mean.”

The asshole dares to laugh.

“Roy, best shut up now. You’re asking for a beating,” Wade says with a huff.

“Why? She’s an attractive woman, stuck with us all day. She needs something else in her life, someone to keep her warm at night,” he says enthusiastically. “Besides, it’s not like you want her, Grady. You’ve made that?—”

“Stop fucking talking,” I snap.

Marina’s hand falls from my arm, and the room stills. They probably don’t see the hurt etched on her face. It disappears when she replants her signature smile and focuses on Roy.

“Roy, I appreciate the kind gesture—you were thinking of me… notaboutme. But the only person you should give a gift like this to is an intimate partner. Not a friend or co-worker.”

“We’ll have to add it to the rules,” Wade chuckles.

“We’re tainted by our bachelor ways,” Christie says. “It’s so good you’re here, Marnie.”

Her muted smile returns at the compliment. “It’s good for me, too. All this change we’ve gone through together has been tough. But the store looks beautiful, we’re a wonderful team, and we learn from each other every day.”

They nod in unison—leave it to Marina to turn an outright offense into a teaching moment. Even my hands unfurl under her calm tone and easy smile.

“Something you fellas have taught me is that we all have a story,” she says, “and things we need to let go of, right?”

They nod again.

“Roy’s excessive porn habits perhaps, but more than that, his lack of purpose and identity after losing his former career…”

Roy nods and removes his hat reverently.

“… Christie, your ex and all the unkind and untrue words she said to you,” she lists off, moving from one to the other, “and Wade, your guilt and grief.”

“You have grief, too, Marnie,” Christie says softly.

Her voice catches, but she maintains her smile. “Yes, I do.”

For a moment, I wonder if she’s told them. Their sympathetic looks echo with understanding, but I suppose it could come from any of her losses and doubt she’d reveal something so personal to these… numpties. Still, I feel like I’ve skipped an entire season of a show I created, and everyone’s undergone cathartic changes except for me. Maybe I’m the numpty here.

Roy hands Christie the babydoll negligee. “You want that, Christie?”

“Course, Roy. Gem colors bring out my eyes,” he answers. “Right, Marnie?”

“It’s becauseyou’rea gem,” she smirks, and everything suddenly feels lighter.

“May I suggest a cleansing ceremony?” Wren emerges from behind the counter like a gothic princess, timing her intervention. I hadn’t seen her there, as if her black garb made her blend into the background. “To release our negative energies?”

Marina bounces on her sneakers, bringing my eyes to her tight, worn jeans and green tank top. A broken belt loop dangles as she moves, making me want to tug it and pull her into me, especially after Roy’s remark about me not wanting her. What does he know?

“I love, love, love that idea!” she claps. “What if we each wrote down the things we need to let go of, and then… I don’t know—something symbolic of letting go?”

“We’ll make them into paper boats,” she says, “and we’ll set them free on the swamp.”

“Perfect! Look at you, so creative!” Marina beams. “What do you think, fellas?”

They exchange sheepish looks as if worried about what the others will say if they agree to it first. It’s not exactly normal operating procedure for them. They don’t even appear to be drinking today.

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