Become best friends with Carter again.
Honest to God, my lower lip trembles when I reread that last one. I’d written it down with as much optimism I could muster, but the sad truth is I think even all the way back then, I knew becoming best friends with Carter was a pipe dream. Outside, cement gray clouds rush in and I can almostfeelthe dismay emanating from the people on the beach. I do my breath work until I feel…not happy, exactly, but some numb place just outside despair. Someplace where the clouds don’t leave, but they no longer look heavy and ominous, either.
I take one last counted breath and refocus on the list. Unplugging my phone from its charging cord, I pull up my family text group.
Me:Hey, who wants to meet up for lunch today? My treat
Amá Sonya:You and I have brunch tomorrow, since we missed it last Sunday. Do not forget and do NOT be late.
Me:Is that your way of saying you can’t make it today?
Me:…
Me:Amá?
Nadia:I’m sure Sonya is too busy volunteering for her HOA today. There are many neighbors out to spy on to report and threaten.
Amá:For your information, Nadia, I am currently at a banquet with the mayor, the large editor from the Cranberry Chronicle, and that young man from that big-time newspaper from the New York City.
Me:the large editor?
Sage:I think she means editor at large.
Sky:Wait, the young man from New York City? Do you mean Adam? Adam Noemi? Do you mean the New York Times when you say “big-time newspaper”? Is he in town again?
For the love of the old gods. I should have just texted one of them at a time. I sigh as my phone explodes with near-constant dings and buzzing for the next five minutes. Yes, Adam Noemi from theNew York Timesis back in town. Yes, she meant editor-at-large but Sonya hates being wrong so she’s insisting that everyone is calling her the Large Editor as some kind of inside joke.
Sky:But why? What’s Adam doing there with the editor and the mayor?
Amá Sonya:He’s leaving the big-time paper for the Chronicle. They are honoring him with the position right now.
Sky:WHAT? WHY?!
Sage:really? leaving the NYT? Why would he do that tho
Amá Sonya:He is a handsome young man, but not too bright. Surely he’s making less money here.
Nadia:There has to be another reason. Maybe his grandfather needs more help.
Sky:I spent the day with Old Man Noemi yesterday and he was fit as a fiddle, or so he claimed.
Me:Maybe the Times dropped him. Either way, does anyone want to get lunch today? Please pretty please?
Amá Sonya:Do not forget that we have brunch tomorrow. Do not be late.
Me:I’m going to go ahead and assume that’s your version of ‘no,’ Amá
Nadia:I’m can’t because I’m at the church. We’re organizing meals to deliver them to the homeless all afternoon.
If we were with each other in person, this would be the point where Amá sucks in her mouth like she’s been forced to drink a glass of straight lime juice and then goes into explicit detail on her latest philanthropy work. She can’t have Nadia “winning” atanything. But I guess she’s busy at the banquet, since she doesn’t text again.
Sky:I can after work. I’m here till one if you don’t mind it being a late lunch.
