Pushing my key within the lock, I realize I am holding my breath. Whether it’s because I am anxious about her not being there or actually being present was debatable. I let the air out slowly as I push the door open to our apartment. Both will be difficult… and there she is! Like the sighting of a silvery-haired nymph in their natural habitat, but instead of a magical aura, she was cast in the glow of the television. The small adjacent table was covered with a candy-filled charcuterie board, complete with plastic skeleton.
“No way!” I skip to the table, half haphazardly removing my shoes and dropping my bag to the floor. “Are those gummy worms crawling out of its mouth?”
She nods her head.
“With Twizzler pull n’ peel for intestines?!” I marveled.
Her cheeks raise, causing her eyes to nearly disappear. Her smile disintegrates any current worries. “Couldn’t think of a more delicious organ,” she admits.
I let myself fall on top of her and proceed to plant a big kiss on her forehead. “You're a genius!” I tell her.
Without delay, I unwrap a Rolo and pop it into my mouth. I love the way the chocolate oozes out caramel, when I crush it within the inside of my cheek.
Andrea doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth. She’ll cheat occasionally by adding extra chocolate chips to one of her protein shakes, but she’s all about gain and rarely misses her gym days.
This entire spread is all for me. So sweet of her! Figuratively and literally. I move onto the mountain of candy corn, surrounding the skeleton’s plastic skull, as Andrea cues up a movie. The words “Miss Congeniality” fill the screen.
“That’s it!” I shout at no one in particular. “Congeniality!”
She shakes her head, clearly not understanding that I finally have clarity, after struggling to remember the name of this freakin’ movie on my walk home. My generous roommate drapes a blanket over both of us, in preparation for Gracie to transition from a demoted FBI agent to beauty queen in one short montage. Unexpectedly, the hole I once felt earlier this evening feels a little less profound, as we watch a pageant contestant befriend the abrasive, very unladylike Gracie. In the long run, the undercover agent foils the copycat terrorist's plan and even bags the cute guy; all in four-inch heels. How is it that Andrea has managed to dupe me into watching not one, but two Sandra Bullock movies in the past week? Just as Gracie’s superior was about to pull the plug on the whole mission, I knew what I had to do. Andrea extended an olive branch, so I needed to give her the same courtesy.
I all but blurt out… “I’m involved with someone.”
Robotically, she reaches forward, grabs the remote, and clicks off the movie. Not paused, just off. Her head swivels toward me; she pushes a few silver strands behind her ear andsimply glares at me. “Pardon me, I think my best friend just dropped news so big, my brain malfunctioned.”
A nervous laugh bubbles out of me. I push my back against the side armrest of the couch, facing her fully.
“I’m pretty sure I would know if you were dating someone. You know how nosy I can be,” she admits while also giving me a light shove on the shoulder.
“I didn’t say dating. I saidinvolved.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?” Her head turns at an angle that reminds me of a dog trying to figure out why you're not also offering them food as you eat.
“No. It’s way different!” I pull my legs into a crossed position. “It’s kind of complicated. He’s kind of my boss. Well, heismy boss, but it might not necessarily?—”
Her head turns in the other direction, still just as befuddled. “Connor? I thought he was gay.”
What? “No. Connor? I actually don’t know his sexual orientation. Plus, Connor’s not my boss.”
She holds her palm out, encouraging me to continue.
“Eamon. I actually didn’t even know he owned the bar up until recently. He’s interesting. Devilishly handsome and also funny at times. He calls me little fish and…”
Andrea looks sick. Her eyes look toward me, but it feels more like she’s looking through me.
“Hey. Are you okay? You look like you're not feeling too well.”
She stands suddenly and starts to pace the small area in front of Thelma’s tank. Is she pissed?
I try to turn back the clock. “I know I should have mentioned something sooner, but it’s new and we really haven’t even officially been on a date yet. I think it’s an awkward stage.” Mostly because I’m not sure if I can trust him. Is it possible that Eamon is the one who left the earbud, like my uncle suggested? Is he capable of playing multiple roles? Maybe I should havekept my mouth shut or told her something less impactful like, I had a delicious pastrami on rye today! If it’s not some banal thing, it is monumental. At least as of late. Everything from my ex-manager expecting some kind of sexual favor in the backroom of Star Mart, to the returning earbud that transmits cryptic music, and even learning my new managerial position is more permanent than I initially thought, because Cassie actually died!
My roommate finally halts her parading, after practically burning a hole in one of the Persian rugs we got last summer. “What about Brodi?!”
Wow. That’s the last thing I expected her to come back with. She never cared for him. As she continues, her voice becomes progressively louder. “What if he turns up? Aren’t you crazy about him still?!”
I am aghast... Andrea?! Making a case for Brodi? This week has been outlandish!
“Are you sure you're ready to be with someone again so soon?” Her voice turns softer while her words fall flat.
