Page 64 of June

“She gives you sparks. She’s sparky,” Jill half-yelled as she walked into the kitchen. “When we are done eating and we finish this movie, want to go to Candace’s?”

“I don’t know. That’ll be late. I’m pretty tired.”

“From all your dates this week?”

“And school. I’m also in school,” Enid reminded her as she rested her head back against the sofa.

“Well, one of us has a new, sparky girlfriend. The other is single and trying to find someone. So, maybe the first one, that would beyou, wouldn’t mind helping the other someone,me, meet someone else now thatshe’s dumped me. Thesheisyouin that sentence.”

Enid laughed and said, “You know you’re not going to meet anyone at Candace’s bar, right? The only lesbians we know who hang out there are all datingeach other.”

“Yes, but I get free drinks there, and I’ve seen a couple of possibly lady-loving ladies there a few times. I might get lucky tonight,” Jill said as she walked back into the room.

“Can I have a rain check? I promise, I’ll help you get laid or meet the love of your life another night.”

“Can you do both? Maybe one night, help me get laid, and another, help me meet my soulmate?”

“Sure.” Enid laughed.

Thirty minutes later, when their food arrived, they ate it with forks since neither of them had ever mastered the chopsticks, and when the movie, which they talked throughout, not really paying much attention to it, was over, Enid yawned while Jill stood to stretch.

“Okay. I’m exhausted. You’ve exhausted me. I’m going to bed,” Jill told her.

Enid laughed and replied, “Time for me to go, then. I’ll call you later?”

“Yes, to arrange this night where you’ll work tirelessly to get me laid.”

Enid’s laughter continued until she was in the hallway. This was much better. This was right. Jill was meant to be her friend, and maybe even a good one. Rory had Candace, and Enid had always been a little jealous of how Rory called Candace her best friend, and while Enid considered Rory to be hers now, just when she’d figured that out, Rory had found the possible love of her life and was occupied with thoughts of strap-on sex with her girlfriend most of the time. That left Enid feeling alone again, but maybe that wasn’t true anymore. Maybe she had a new friend in Jill and possibly something more with Caroline.

When she made her way home, Enid found her father in his office.

“You’re still working?” she asked.

“No, I’m buying your mom an anniversary present. It’s coming up. She’s been mentioning a new Crock-Pot. Should I go with that?”

“No,” Enid said. “No woman wants a Crock-Pot as an anniversary gift, Dad.”

“But it’s top of the line.”

Enid laughed and walked into the office.

“It’s your twenty-fifth anniversary.”

“Yes, I know.”

“So, you need to impress her,” Enid suggested. “Woo her again, Dad. Keep a girl interested.”

He laughed.

“Order a bouquet of those flowers she loves. A big one. Like, two dozen. Have them arrive as a surprise. Maybe get her those fancy chocolates you two had in Europe that she always talks about and can’t ever find here, too.”

“How canIfind them, then?” he asked.

“You’ll figure it out, but get her something shewants, not just something she needs for the kitchen.”

“She’s mentioned that she could use a new setting on her engagement ring.”

“Get her a completely new ring.”

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