“I think it is wise to know when you need simplicity in a relationship.” His face was etched into earnest lines. “But you can find people to date who will be easy-going and good to you. Hold out for both.”
We returned to Magnolia Grove by mid-afternoon and dropped off the new items at the consignment shop. Mom thanked me quietly and didn’t mention my absence last night.
Grant disappeared the instant we arrived home. I picked up my iPad to read a book but had a hard time getting interested in anything. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to drift. When my phone rang around six, I roused with a start. The screen readKimberley. “Hi.”
“What are you doing?” she asked, sounding a little breathless.
“Nothing much.”
“So you’re not busy?”
“No. What’s up?”
“Lacey and I are about to binge-watch a Netflix show. Want to come over to my house?”
Excitement bloomed inside me. Had we ever done this? Not that I could remember. We’d been friends in first grade—until Kimberley was diagnosed with leukemia and moved to DC for treatment. Lacey and I had continued our friendship until high school, when things started faltering. By the time Kimberley had moved back, Lacey and I were estranged. She’d been dealing with her depressed, widowed mom. I’d been reeling from my brother’s cancer diagnosis. Both of us felt like we had to keep our struggles a secret, and neither had been brave enough to ask the other what was going on. I was glad to have our little circle back, even though I remained the weakest link. “I would like that. What are we watching?”
“Um, I’m not sure...”
Her phone clattered. Scraped. Picked up again. “This is Lacey. We’re binging onDaredevil.”
“I’m in. Can I bring anything?”
“Something to drink?”
“Fine. See you soon.”
My mother had the oddest drinks in the fridge. Ginger ale, root beer, and Cheerwine. Nope, none of that.
There was a bag of lemons. Fresh-squeezed lemonade would be perfect.
Twenty minutes later, I parked at the curb before the Rey’s house. Mrs. Rey answered the door and pointed me toward the family room before returning to her study. Kimberley stood next to the TV, arms crossed. Lacey was pressing random buttons on the remote control.
I set down the pitcher of lemonade and held out my hand. “Let me give it a try.” It took me five seconds to get things going. “Daredevil, right?”
Kimberley nodded. “I’ve heard it’s good. Have you seen it?”
“All seasons.”
“Oh?” Kimberley’s eyes lit up. “Do you like it?”
“Yeah, it’s great. Complex but dark. Just be prepared.”
“I’m not surprised. The Tuckers have always been into Marvel.” Lacey grinned as she went into the kitchen and retrieved a bowl of popcorn.
There was a bit of awkwardness when it came time to sit. Lacey went for one end of the sofa, I dropped down beside her, while Kimberley stood hesitantly in front of us, clutching her tablet.
Lacey gave me a meaningful glance. “Kimberley has to sit in the middle.”
She nodded. “So I can take notes.”
Of course. I scooted over and watched as Kimberley settled in. For someone who couldn’t remember most events a minute after they occurred, a show likeDaredevilwould be an ordeal.
She touched my hand. “Since you’ve seen it before, can you help me keep up? Make sure I get the important clues in my notes?”
“The show does a pretty good job of alluding to the clues more than once. But I’ll let you know when to really pay attention.”And I’ll try not to ruin anything for Lacey.
My friends held a running commentary throughout the show. I nudged Kimberley at key moments or commandeered her tablet to add clues. She had to rewind a lot, sometimes skipping over multiple scenes until she found the one she wanted for a refresher. It had to be annoying for Lacey, but she didn’t complain.
