Skye: *smirking face emoji*
Alis: I’ll be home in a few hours. I don’t think I’ll be late, but I wanted to touch base with you just in case.
Skye: Just in case you get carried away with Sexy Dexy and try to sneak in around 1 a.m.?
Alis: *face palm emoji* No. Just in case I’m a little late coming home since we’re going to grade all the quizzes here.
Skye: “grade all the quizzes” is a euphemism for “have all the sex”
Alis: How are we friends?!
Skye: “Talk nerdy to me, Dexter!”
Alis: Don’t let Sunny stay up past nine.
I swear, that woman could turn a conversation about pre-teen acne into something sexual. I tried to get into her headspace once — imagined what it’s like to twist any and every thought into a sex joke. Couldn’t do it. I tried for maybe an hour before the headache set in. And by “tried” I mean it took a ridiculous amount of effort to force my thoughts in a perverted direction.
Just one more thing we don’t have in common, yet, somehow, she’s my best friend — she and Tori, whom I haven’t heard from in weeks. Skye spends at least every other weekend visiting her in Moraine, but I haven’t yet traveled home since we moved. Maybe next time we’ll tag along with Skye and spend the weekend with my parents.
I thought I’d be more homesick after moving, but I haven’t felt a longing for my parents until recently. After living under the same roof my entire life, save my few years in Ft. Ulysses, I needed the space. My parents have never been overbearing, and returning to my childhood home after living on my own for a few years wasn’tthatdifficult, but I’m happy to be the head of my own household for once.
Some may find it strange that I chose to remain at my parents’ home instead of getting a place for Sunny and me while we still lived in Moraine, but it worked well for us. At first it was necessary — what with being a twenty-one-year-old insta-parent while mourning my sister and brother-in-law — but by the time Sunny turned four we had a rhythm, a routine. We weren’t a burden on my parents, nor were they on us. We were simply a family.
If we hadn’t lived with my parents the past nine years, my savings account wouldn’t be anywhere close to what it is now and I’d have towork another job to keep the bills paid. I can’t imagine working full-time hours in addition to school, working with Dr. Matthews, and parenting. So, even though I hadn’t intentionally saved on rent for nearly a decade to prepare for returning to school, I’m thankful things worked out the way they have.
The smell of pizza coming toward this office alerts me to Dexter’s arrival, and I look up just in time to watch him walk through the office door with a giant pie in hand and a plastic bag with what looks to be bottled water, plates, and napkins.
“Holy cow! You don’t expect us to eat all that, do you?!” My eyes are wide open in shock. That thing could feed four adults a complete meal, at least.
Dexter grins as he sets the pizza onto the coffee table in his office sitting area. “You forget I’ve shared a pizza with you before. I’m privy to your gluttonous obsession with the food.”
I glare at him and set the quizzes aside, taking the bottled water Dexter offers to me. I uncap it to take a drink before responding. “You’re one to talk. I’ve seen you inhale one or twenty slices of pizza these past few months.”
“I’m not the one complaining about having too much of a good thing. That’s you.” He winks at me before opening the box and handing me a slice.
We’ve kept our weekly meetings professional, but I’d be remiss not to acknowledge the comfortable somewhat friendship we’ve developed by sharing lunch during those meetings. Our level of comfort with each other has increased since the day he stopped by my apartment and I told him about losing my sister and becoming Sunny’s mother. Couple comfort with my increasingly lustful thoughts of him and I’m not sure how much longer I can withstand his charm.
Dexter
“I’m not complaining!” she laughs, mid-bite, cheese stringing from the slice to her teeth. She tries to hide her food-laugh fumble behind her other hand, but it’s not working.
My God, she’s stunning.
Teaching with Alis in close proximity is nearly impossible, yet I’ve managed these last few days. I want her in so many ways. Not just physically but emotionally, intellectually, the works. I want to know what she’s thinking when I catch her watching me lecture, when her brow furrows while grading papers, when she laughs then suddenly stops, forcing herself back into professional mode when she catches herself letting go of formality in my presence. Like now. She’s carefree and laughing while we talk and share dinner.
I could have sat in one of the club chairs, but my ever-growing need to be near her had me opting for the couch instead. We have space between us, but I wouldn’t have to reach far to touch her. I can smell her perfume in this proximity, and I’m becoming more of an addict by the second.
“So, how’s Sunny?” I ask, hoping she doesn’t clam up at the mention of her personal life. She holds up a finger while she finishes chewing, then, thankfully, responds without hesitation.
“Great, actually,” the smile on her face lights up the room. “She’s making friends at school, loves her teacher. She and Skye have always been close, so having her live with us has been wonderful. I’m sure right now they’re sitting on the couch, probably eating ice cream for dinner, and watching the Kardashians or some other dumb reality show.” She finishes that last sentence with a laugh and an eye roll.
“I only met her the one time, but none of what you just said surprises me. That kid is a firecracker. And your friend,” I shake my head and laugh, “she’s something else.”
Alis laughs along and rolls her eyes once more, “You havenoidea. The two of them together is often overwhelming. Who knew two people could make so much noise?!”
“I figured you’d be used to constant noise, having a kid.”
“I mean, yes. And also no,” she says. “I love that my house is full of laughter and sarcastic comments, but Sunny is so much like her mom, who was the total opposite of me. Belle was always full steam ahead, and Sunny is the same way. I swear that kid never runs out of energy. I love to be around people, but I’m easily overwhelmed and need space and quiet to recharge. It’s hard to find that, living with two extroverts in a 1,000-square-foot apartment.”
