Page 21 of Drawn Together
“He helps her find the more moody, dark themes she is looking for.”
“How exactly did they do this?” We’re only a block away now. I am craving another apple in the same way I’m slightly intrigued by this ‘book.’
“Well, I think it was some kind of agreement, where they meet once a week to exchange books and go over their thoughts. Over time, they both kind of pick up on what they’re missing, and ultimately don’t get fired from their jobs, allowing them to continue to make their rent.”
I hum, my throat all dry from the past tears choking me, any remnants of golden glory juice all gone.
“So, they had just a book club?”
“Just a very odd, two-person book club.”
“And how long did they do that for?”
He opens his mouth, then shuts it. “I…can’t remember. You’ll have to remind me at the end of it.”
“Hmm. I think I’d like that book.”
I take it back. This look on his face is a real almost-smile. Corner slanted down like he’s trying his hardest not to.
“Give me your phone.”
“Why?” I ask, but my fingers are already dropping the device in his big open palm.
“So I can send you your assigned research. And I can come up with a place for us to meet.”
“Oh.”
Just as he is done texting himself, we are at our respective halfway point. We should stop on the corner so he can easily use the cross walk over to his place, but instead, he walks me the whole way to the entrance to my apartment’s lobby. When we give our respective goodbyes—his, “Wait to cry until you get back upstairs,” and mine, “Are you always this much of an asshole, or is it just around me?”—he turns away with shaking shoulders, and I wait until he walks in his door to walk in mine.
As soon as I get back to my empty apartment, I open my email and send the agent my response, begging for one more chance over the next week.
Fletcher hadn’t felt something as satisfying as drying Flora Anderson’s tears in a very long time.
Nine
Wordoftheday:accismus
Definition:feigning disinterest in something while actually desiring it
Random number: Hello.
Flora: Hello?
Random number: Flora?
Flora: Stranger?
Random number: Fletcher.
Flora: Ahh.
Fletcher: Can we graduate beyond using one-word sentences? I know what I want you to read.
Flora: Yes.
Fletcher: Is that a joke?
Flora: Depends.
