All I want to do is curl up in a dark cave and sleep for the next decade.
And learn to make chili.
PinksPosies&Pearls:I’m so sorry you have so much on your plate.
Taking some time off sounds like a good plan, you deserve it.
Although, I feel like you could probably video yourself going to job interviews.
And then monetize the views, because it’ll be hysterical.
“If we call your last employer, what would they say?”
“That I’m extremely handsome and would be a good match for your niece.??”
Think of the possibilities!
Mostly sounds like you need to find someone who will take care ofyoufor a change.
Get you a sugar mama.
ChaoticConcertina:Honestly, that sounds amazing.
If you know how to find one, send me tips.
Because I’ve been told my rizz is mid by my own flesh and blood.
And I don’t think that lines up the sugar mamas.
I have a large extra hot honeycomb latte for Sumi.”
She shifted through the press of bodies, making her way to the pickup counter. The side counter Ranar used was much more convenient, she had to admit.Well, you’ll be using that one soon. With him.
“That was really nice of you, Sumi.” The sheep woman’s voice was almost reluctant, her eyes flicking over to Sumi once she finally made it to the counter. After a moment, though, her mouth turned up with a hint of a smile. “To send something. That note was really nice. Thank you.”
Xenna’s mother-in-law had passed away unexpectedly, Sumi had learned from Yuriko. She sent the planter from Pink Blossom, an acknowledgment from one business to another,but the note she included to the Beanery’s co-owner had been heartfelt.
“Of course, I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Is everyone doing okay?”
In any other coffee shop in the city, this sort of chit chat at the pickup counter was unacceptable. Verboten. The line moved quickly and efficiently and chit chat was a deviation from efficiency. Here, though, Sumi had noticed this was where relationships were made and broken. Xenna and her brother Xavier were the arbiters of whom was worthy of conversation in Cambric Creek, and if they stopped to chat, you could hold your head up a bit higher upon your exit, knowing you were bestowed with a golden seal.
“Yeah. I mean, I am. My husband is upset of course, but our kids are taking it pretty hard. She wasn’t my mother, but she was a really good grandmother.”
“There’s a book,” Sumi said, fishing a business card and pen out of her bag. “It’s calledSee You In My Dreams, it’s really great for young children experiencing loss. Especially one that’s close to them, like this.“ Xenna raised an eyebrow as she wrote down the title, able to envision the cover clearly. Sumi smiled wryly as she passed the card across the counter, taking her coffee. “My mom died when I was young, and it helped me a lot. I know it’s still in print. Anyway, my condolences.”
“Thank yousomuch, Sumi. Have a good day!”
Playing the dead mom card,she thought, holding her head a bit higher and she turned away from the counter, the recipient of Owner-to-Owner Chit Chat. That’s what she would tell ChaoticConcertina.Ranar.
The revelation that they were one and the same had turned her world inside out. Sumi didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know how she could go on casually chit chatting with ChaoticConcertina while she and Ranar wereat war, couldn’t listen to him make allusions to everything going wrong in his life fully knowing she was the reason why.
But neither could she give him up.
She knew there were some people who would roll their eyes at her placing too much importance on an online friendship, but it wasn’t the 90s anymore, no matter how many Coming Gnome movies she still owned. It was a short leap from an online relationship to the real world, as evidenced by the dozens of dating apps, a relationship started by swiping left or right on one’s phone screen, at dinner together an hour later, in bed shortly after that.
ChaoticConcertina was her rock. He was empathetic and smart, made her laugh and gave good advice and always knew exactly what to say to make her feel better. Most of all, most importantly, he was excessively kind.The kind of man who would apologize to his enemy, after she had confronted him at his business, where she had been told not to come again. Seeing him so shortly after her revelation had nearly upended her, but it had been cathartic, walking with him in the rain, her tears rolling down her face, washed away in the deluge.The kind of man who would hold an umbrella over that same enemy, knowing it wasn’t big enough to keep him dry. Knowing there wasn’t enough business for them both.
And then the icon indicating she had a new message had flared to life, and there was only one person from whom the message could be. It was him, of course it was him, telling Pinky — tellingher!— how much he hated being mean to people, how much he disliked the way it made him feel. How he wanted to beg for forgiveness, even though he had meant what he had said.
