We turned a corner and stopped at a dead end. All I saw was a fake-looking plant, a red bench, and a five-foot painting of a fancy king I didn’t recognize. No stairs in sight.
“I think we’re lost.”
“All castles had servants’ stairs to stay out of sight. This is one of them.” She glanced at her tablet once more, then scooted the bench away from the painting on the wall. Like something out of a fantasy movie, she wrapped her fingers on the golden frame, and pulled it open, revealing a staircase.
“Of course there’s a hidden staircase behind a painting,” I mused, not really surprised.
“Maybe you should get laid again. You were less wound up earlier,” Remy commented while turning on her tablet flashlight.
“I didn’t get laid. Well… not likesexsex.”
“You had orgasms. That’s good enough to release oxytocin and dopamine for a less stressed you.”
We walked down a narrow, cold, and dark set of stairs. I wasn’t in the mood for this particular conversation, so I changed the subject.
“You still hanging in there?” I asked.
Her movements were more tense, her voice a little tighter. I was stressed, and I know she was, but something in my gut told me there was more.
“It’s annoying.”
I waited for her to continue, to vent, but she didn’t.
“I’m here for you, as your best friend and all.” I crossed my heart with my pointer finger.
She sighed as we made it to the ground floor but still had to walk down dusty dark hallways.
“I don’t like my projects messing up. Someone is sabotaging the school, and I don’t know who. It feels personal, but not sure why. Which I don’t like.” She hissed in frustration.
Should I offer a hug? Just lean in and go for it?
Meh, screw it. Momma intuition told me she needed comfort, and I had two arms that were conditioned to hug.
“Hey, I think we’re safe down here for now.” I stopped and opened my arms. Edith chuckled in my bag, and I rolled my eyes.
“Are you serious?” Remy arched her eyebrow, and I stepped closer. Remy wasn’t a hugger, but I’d been keeping a secret weapon for a moment like this.
Remy’s kryptonite.
“Science shows that hugs release oxytocin, also called the cuddle hormone. It also reduces cortisol which you look full of right now.”
She eyed me suspiciously.
“It’ll help you think a little more clearly on how to solve your problems.”
Her lips lifted and I held my breath.
Remy walked over and hugged me. It didn’t last the thirty seconds most of those articles I read said, but it would do.
She shook her head and smiled as she walked toward the hopeful exit.
I know she was going to figure out what happened, and who, if there was someone behind these weird happenings. But for now, she could receive comfort, and know I got her back.
“Thanks for the honor of letting me be your friend and supporting you.”
“Yeah, yeah, Momma Temperance. You’ll be singing another tune when my luteal phase starts next week, and I turn into a PMDD monster.” She laughed and I shook if off.
I handled a hormonal teenager. I think I could handle her beast. Unless she was a crier. I don’t even know what I’d do with a crying Remy.
