Mae smiled, rubbing her tired eyes as she turned away from the computer screen.
“No. But I think that’s because I know you’ll be here.”
“Yeah,” Vik replied, voice going softer. “But only for one day.”
“Are you seriously feeling bad about offering up only one day of free labor? I can’t thank you enough, again, for that one day.”
“I know, but…you sure you’ll be okay? Sure you shouldn’t hire someone else?”
“What if I end up having four customers a day and I’ll have made Karizma leave her housekeeping job for nothing?”
“Uh, I have a feeling there are more people in Greyfin Bay looking for part-time work than one teenager.”
“I’ll look for help if I need help. It’ll be okay, Vik. I promise.”
Vik was quiet a moment; Mae could envision them chewing their lip. “Okay,” they said. “Either way, I can’t wait to see you. So fucking soon! God, is this what birthing a child feels like? It feels like your baby. Like I’m a proud uncle or something.”
“I can make that your official title, if you want. Designer and Proud Enby Uncle, Bay Books.”
“Perfect. Yes. Please.”
“I am literally going to add it to the website right now.”
“I’d be mad if you didn’t.”
“Anyway, actual pregnant people gestate for even longer than nine months and I’ve been here for three. Don’t think it counts.”
“Still long enough that Republican legislators would try to throw you in jail if you called it off.”
“This metaphor is becoming very bleak.”
“I know. Fuck, we live in bleak times. Thank Medusa you’re opening a bookstore that’s going to be full of joy and light.”
Mae laughed.
“It’s almost December on the coast. I’m already forgetting what light feels like.”
“Exactly! That’s why the world needs your store!”
“Ugh. Get here faster.”
“Would if I could.”
“I know.”
“Maybe you should, I don’t know, hire another employee to hold my space until I’m there. And to then continue holding my space after opening day. Just a wild idea. Throwing it out there.”
“My my, look at the time. What do you know; I believe I have to go.”
“Okay, bitch. I’ll see you in two days. It’s going to be incredible, you know.”
“It’ll be okay.”
“Incredible.”
“I love you, Vik.”
“Love you, too.”
