AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah,” Chandler said. “You played great, Belle.”
Belle’s eyes widened a little, and she said, “So, you did recognize me?”
Chandler nodded and asked, “Want to sit?”
Belle sat down across from her and placed her beer on the dark-wood table between them.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Why didn’t you tell me that you recognized me?” Chandler countered.
“Of the two of us, I would recognize you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re still skating, and I still watch competitions.”
Chandler gave her a small nod of acknowledgement and lifted her wineglass.
“It’s good to see you,” she said.
“It is?”
Chandler sipped and replied, “Yeah, it’s been a while. How have you been?”
“A while?” Belle took a drink of her beer. “It’s been, like, twelve years.”
“Yeah,” Chandler said.
“So, how have I been for the last twelve years?”
“Why not? We’ve got to start somewhere. How’s your mom? I remember she used to make us little snacks sometimes for after practice.” Chandler smiled at the memory.
Belle looked toward her friends at the other table and said, “She died a while ago.”
“What?” Chandler asked. “Jesus, Belle, I’m sorry.”
Belle shrugged and said, “You didn’t know. It’s fine.”
“Fuck,” Chandler added and shook her head.
“You swear now, so that’s a change.”
“I swore then, too, just not as often.”
“Why do you swear more now?” Belle asked.
“More reasons for it, I suppose. Like, I just brought up your mom, who’s gone, and now, I feel like a total ass.”
“You didn’t feel like an ass before?”
Chandler ran her tongue along her teeth and said, “Okay. I guess I deserved that.”
Belle sighed and asked, “So, how have you been?”
“If you keep up with skating, you probably know.”
“I didn’t ask about skating,” Belle replied and took another drink of her beer. “I asked about you.”
