Page 43 of Joy to Noel
CLARA
Absolutely. I’ll drive.
After a few more minutes of unsuccessful attempts to concentrate, I give up and decide to go clean the kitchen. Maybe restoring order to a space will clear my mind.
Padding my way out to the kitchen, I find zero signs of the meal I just cooked. The dishwasher is running, and the pot and pan I used are clean, dry, and back in their appropriate cabinets. There’s not even a crumb on the shining countertop—but there is a scrawled note.
I won’t apologize for being honest and telling you what you needed to hear. But I am sorry if my approach crossed over into jerk territory. You’re not a failing company—you’re my friend, and I’m sorry.
Suits
I stare at the note, rereading the few lines.You’re my friend.
But are we? Can Liam qualify as a friend when he still won’t tell me anything personal about himself without me needling it out of him?
I return to my room and shoot off a text message.
ME
Apology accepted, I suppose.
SUITS
I’m relieved, I suppose.
ME
Watch yourself, or you’ll owe another one.
SUITS
I really am sorry, but also, I really am serious. Chase the dream, MJ. Don’t wait for it to come toyou.
Chewing my lip, I tap the side of my phone with my thumb.
ME
What if I’m not sure if this is the dream? If I’m not sure I care about having a dream?
I immediately regret the text and wish I could unsend, but it’s already showing as read. The three dots start bouncing in reply before I can ruminate too much longer on it.
SUITS
I don’t think you would have even started if it wasn’t a dream. Maybe admitting that it IS the dream is the first step to making it happen.
ME
When did you get to be so philosophical?
SUITS
Byproduct of growing up with Shakespeare, I suppose.
ME
Then why are you out dissecting companies instead of waxing poetic on mountaintops?
SUITS
