Page 10 of Shadowing Bright
He chuckled, and the other two joined him.
Amy was eating with focus when a hand set a cup down in front of her.A milkshake.She smiled.“Thanks, buddy.”
He sighed, kissed her temple, and left her alone.
Vaia was nibbling at a burrito.“Buddy?”
“Yes.If I can’t wear earrings or jewellery without him flipping his nut, he can’t claim to have more of a connection to me than we do.So, we are friends.No benefits.”
“The milkshake?”
“I said that it would be perfect to have with Dem-rah’s menu, but they don’t offer it, so he made one for me.”
“So, more courtship.”
Amy blushed and shrugged.“Probably.I put my foot down, and it can be a very big foot.”
“So, what do you think he’s doing about it?”
“Not my circus, not my bear.”Amy chuckled.She looked down and had done a tremendous job on the food.Her stomach was pleasantly warm.“So, what’s next?”
“I take you home, thank you again, and head home myself.It was a good night, it is now tomorrow, and I am going to send a quick message and then get you home.”
“Aw.We didn’t do anything for you.”
“I wasn’t alone.That was good enough.”She smiled, sent a message on her phone, and then exhaled.“Right.Now it starts.”
“What?”
“My divorce.”She smiled brightly.“Ready?You can keep your milkshake with you.”
“I never doubted it.Right.Let’s go.”
“First, feed the troll.”
The trash troll was in a container, and it grumbled and chortled happily as the packages of half-finished foods were stuffed into the flap.Amy grinned, and they headed back to the car.The wind kicked up and pulled at Vaia’s cloak, causing some whistles and growls from a batch of XIA at one of the tables.Vaia ignored them and walked to her car, opening the doors and tucking herself in.
Amy asked, “Doesn’t that bother you?”
“Nope.It was one of them that caused the wind burst.I knew what was happening, and the audience tonight saw a lot more.”
They buckled up, and Amy was delivered back to her house.“Here you go.You have your garment bag?Did you want a hand to the door?”
“No, I will just get taller.Thank you, though.”
“No problem.Have a great night and a good day at work tomorrow.”
“You, too, Vaia.Happy birthday.”
Amy gathered her purchases and her garment bag from the back and walked to her house with her loot and new outfit.It had been an awesome night, but she felt guilt over Vaia’s lack of presents.Everyone needed presents.
* * * *
Vaia took her own garmentbag and walked up the path to her house.She felt shadows gathering and calmly walked inside.She made another call.“Hey, Leo.Tell Matthias that I sent the documents today, and there seem to be five portals opening on my block.Could he send some of the agents with no lights or sirens?”
Leo said, “He says yes, and you need to get somewhere safe.”
“Do I have authorization for self-defence?”
