“I feel like ‘a hot mess’ is a compliment.” I snorted. “We’re like the front wheel on the med cart. You know, the one that squeaks and rolls sideways instead of forward and back and you have to constantly reroute the cart so you don’t run into doors and people? We’rethat.”
Her mouth hung open. “Yes! We’re the wheel. The wheel that needs to be replaced!”
“How aboutretired.” I adjusted my arm to prop my head up a little higher. “That sounds better thanreplaced. But yeah ... that wheel—she’s a tired girl and we’relotsof that.” I paused. “Did that even make sense? Because it did in my head.”
Maya laughed. It was one of those carefree, let-it-all-out kind of laughs. But it didn’t stop—it got louder, and she covered her mouth and tucked her knees up to her chest, and tears started rolling out the sides of her eyes.
Delirious stage.
We were both in it, that was what this was, and her sound was so contagious, I began laughing and couldn’t stop. I didn’t even know what was so funny. It just felt good to be here, in this place with my best friend, whom I missed so much, and to have moments like this one since they weren’t happening as often anymore.
“Oh my God, I can’t breathe.” Maya held her stomach. “I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time.”
“Same, girl, same.”
“The wheel, I’ll never get over that, and I’ll never look at the med cart the same ever again.” As she faced me, I pushed several of her dark locks out of her eyes. Her giggles eventually died down when she said, “Do you have to work for Dr. Kaplan tonight?”
“Nope.” I smiled, exhaling loudly. “I’m off tonight and I couldn’t be happier about it.”
“Ohhh.What are you going to do?”
I hadn’t given that much thought. The idea of having zero responsibility this evening was what had kept me going through my shift at the rehab center. The only thing on my agenda from now until morning was a very long, very hot shower.
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
“Well, I do.”
I rubbed my lips together to hide my smile. “Yeah? And what’s that?”
“You’re coming to Jordan’s for dinner.” She raised her hand, preventing me from saying anything. “Do not even fight me on this. The last time I invited you, you didn’t come, so this time you’re coming no matter what, even if I have to carry you there myself.” She winked. “How long until you’ll be ready? I need to let Jordan know what time to send his driver.”
“His driver ...” I rolled my eyes.
“He won’t let me take the bus or the T. Given that it’s a battle I’d never win, I don’t even try to negotiate.”
I curled my legs in and hugged the long pillow to my chest. “What if I don’t have the energy to get dressed?”
“Girl, I’m putting on yoga pants and a sweatshirt. I know you have enough energy forthat.”
“And makeup?” I sighed. “Because I can’t even fathom putting on eyeliner—”
“Chapstick is the only thing I’m putting on. That, and moisturizer once I get out of the shower.”
She was making this far too easy on me.
Regardless, my tank was empty.
“Ugh.” I rolled onto my back. “It still sounds like so much.”
Maya got up, walked around to my side of the bed, and looked down at me. “Please, Em. I want to spend time with you, and I know Jordan does too. Come to his place for me.”
“Damn.” I tucked my hands under my head. “Is that really the card you’re going to play?”
Her brows rose. “Did it work?”
I exhaled. “Of course it worked. You know I could never say no to that.”
“Good.” She playfully slapped my knee. “Now, go get your ass in the shower.”
