Awkward silence ensued where we just kind of looked around the hallway and apartment for a while. Finally Tara grew some balls, some really, really big ones, because she suddenly asked, “So, is my room still empty? Can I move back in?”
I really wanted to say, “Lesson learned biotch.” But that was not the highroad, so instead I said, “Sorry, someone moved in two weeks ago.”
“Oh, Ok,” her shoulders slumped and she looked so defeated I almost offered her a hug. Almost. “Oh, before I forget my parents wanted me to give you this.” She handed me a plain white envelope.
I opened it, so curious to see what was inside I couldn’t wait. My mouth dropped open when I looked down at the ten thousand dollar cashier’s check made out to me. “What is this?” I gasped.
“It’s everything I owe you. I’m making, uh, reparations. Or whatever. I figured you probably had to pay off that poker thing since I played it in your name and then the rest is for what I got from your furniture and the back rent.” She explained everything so matter of factly, so casually that her words barely penetrated my shock.
It was my turn to clear my throat, “So, this is….? How can you just write me this check?”
“My parents are loaded,” she admitted on another shrug.
“So the gambling? The stealing?” I pressed, gripping the check like it had legs and could get up and walk away from me.
“I was acting out. I felt my parents tried to buy my love with material possessions and money and so I used that against them in a hurtful and offensive way.” Tara was just regurgitating everything she’d obviously learned in therapy and I had to wonder ifanythinghad stuck.
But at the same time it wasn’t really my problem.
“Alright, well, I’m on my way out, so I’ll see you later,” I closed the door behind me and locked it quickly, making a mental note to call my superintendent and get them to change my locks this afternoon.
“Bye, Ellie,” Tara said with more enthusiasm than I’d ever heard out of her. “For the record, you’re a pretty chill roommate.”
I smiled at her but kept making my getaway, “Tara, for the record, you suck as a roommate.”
----
“Come here,” Fin demanded as soon as I walked in his apartment.
“So bossy,” I complained on my way to do exactly as he commanded. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me until I was breathless and needy. “I thought we had a poker game to watch,” I murmured when he finally pulled away.
“Mmm.” He moved his mouth to my ear, paying special attention to every spot that drove me wild.
“Wait, wait,” I gasped. “I have something to show you.”
He groaned but stepped back just enough so he could keep his arms around me. “This better be good,” he warned.
“Oh it is,” I smiled and held up the check. “Guess who I ran into in the hallway.”
“Who?”
“My ex-roommate.”
“Tara the Tw-“
“Uh, uh-huh,” I shook my head quickly. Britte’s favorite moniker had caught on quickly with my brothers and Fin. I still didn’t allow it to be finished. “But yes, you are correct. She was making reparations and came to apologize for all her misdeeds.”
“Instead of forgiving her, did you thank her?” Fin grinned down at me.
“Uh, no. I made her sweat and then at the very end I bestowed upon her my benevolent forgiveness.”
He chuckled and I felt the rumble of his body glide over me. Good grief, I loved this man so much.
“Of course you did. So what are you going to do with all that money?”
“Pay back Ty of course!”
“What? Ellie, you don’t’ have to do that. It’s my debt; I’ll take care of it.” And I could see just how stubborn he was going to be about this.
