The Declan Printz: When have I ever followed the rules?
Maggie: Ha ha. Here’s one: If you were offered a job overseas, would you take it?
The Declan Printz: Like a football job or something else, like lounging on a beach in a speedo, or what I like to call a mankini?
Maggie: That doesn’t sound like work to me.
The Declan Printz: I’d take it very seriously.
Maggie: But you said yourself, you don’t follow rules.
The Declan Printz: Speaking of, I’m traveling abroad soon, unfortunately.
Maggie: Don’t get deported.
The Declan Printz: I’ll do my best, but know exactly who I’ll call if I’m only allowed to make one.
Maggie: Wait. What is a mankini? Never mind. I probably don’t want to know.
A sigh escapes when my screen goes dark.
Etta Jo and Giselle break the conversation mid-sentence and their eyes land on me.
“What was that?” Etta Jo asks.
“What was what?” I ask, eyeing the chip crumbs and remaining frosting streaking the bowl.
“The sound you made.” Giselle demonstrates with a swoony sigh.
I shake my head. “Must’ve been distracted. I didn’t hear it, nor did I register your question.”
“But you made the sound.” Etta Jo’s eyes narrow as the corners of her lips lift in a smile.
Pointing at myself, I look around. “Me? I didn’t make a sound.”
“You did,” they both say at the same time.
“Didn’t,” I croak. Had a noise like that come out of my body, I’d know. Right?
“Ya did,” Etta Jo says in her southern accent, which almost convinces me she’s right.
“Well, I don’t remember.”
“You said you were distracted,” Giselle says plainly.
“I was texting with Declan and thinking about the job offer. Thank you, by the way. It’s a really big deal, so—” This time I puff an exhale. “So, there’s a lot to think about.”
Etta Jo’s head turns subtly from side to side. “So much makes sense now.”
I get to my feet and tidy up our chips and frosting feeding frenzy. “Maybe we’ve had enough sugar for one afternoon.”
Etta Jo holds up three fingers. “I’ve observed three reactions after you’re on your phone texting. One is the non-reaction, which I can only assume is something mundane like a reminder to go to the dentist. Two, the slightly irritated with a side of sadness reaction, which I imagine might have something to do with your parents, whom we all know you don’t discuss. I respect that you have your reasons. Then three, there are occasionswhen you get off your phone and it’s like you’re walking on clouds. On cloud nine. Much like right now.”
I wave my hand dismissively. “I’m not walking on clouds anywhere between here and cloud nine.”
“Totally blissy,” Giselle says, agreeing with Etta Jo.
“Swoony, after you texted with who we now know is none other than the one and only Declan Printz.” There, Etta Jo goes again with her eyebrows.
