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“What are you doing here?” I call out. Thankfully, the buildings on either side of me are vacant.
“I was in town?” She shrugs. “How about you let me in, and we can finish this conversation with some of that coffee I smell? I took a red-eye, and damn, my body knows it.”
I bolt for the stairs, bypass Shadow, and rush down to the first floor. When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I fling open the door, and Minny envelops me in a hug. I can feel the warmth of her body against mine. She’s always been my closest friend, and I missed her terribly. The first thing Terrance had done was force me to push away my friends, and the second I was free, I called Minny.
She’s been my best friend since elementary school. We were thick as thieves until my dreams led me to California, and Minny stayed home to start her family with her husband, Bobby. Seven years of hell for me and four kids later for Minny, we reconnected. A day didn’t go by when we didn’t text or call each other. In the months after my divorce, she became my lifeline—the light in the darkness as I worked through my trauma in therapy. While I may never find closure with my past, Minny’s presence in my corner strengthened me. We hadn’t been able to see each other with the distance between us, but I planned to travel to Ohio to see her in a few months.
“Surprise!” she says again, pulling away from me.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I could have met you at the airport?”
“And ruin the surprise on your face? Never, Charlie.” She beams.
“Let’s get you inside.” I laugh, feeling grateful for my friend’s spontaneity, and lead her into the living room. She sits on the couch, and I head into the kitchen to prepare her a cup of coffee.
As I wait for the coffee to brew, I can’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. I lost so many years because of Terrance. Minny had lived nearly an entire decade of her life. I’d missed her wedding and being there for her kids. My heart hurts knowing how much time we’ve lost in our friendship. Having her here on my couch makes me want to apologize for not being stronger and fighting back, but the words get stuck in my throat. I don’t want to burden her with my problems, not when she’s here to cheer me up.
When the coffee is ready, I bring it to her and sit in the armchair across from her. “So, what brings you here?” I ask, taking a sip of my coffee.
“I have a conference in Las Vegas for the next couple of days,” she admits.
“A convention?” I question. Minny is a hair stylist back home in Ohio.
“Some hoity-toity convention about all the latest new products and methods,” she mocks. “Karissa was supposed to come, but her doctor put her on bedrest. So, I volunteered as tribute. A weekend away from the kids, and since you live so close, I thought it would be a good time to check in on my best friend.”
“I hardly live close to Vegas, Minny.” I smile. “It’s a six-hour drive from here.”
“And?” She smiles. “It’s free room, board, and debauchery, Charlie. Why aren’t you packing yet?”
“I can’t just pack up and go off on a trip. I have a job and a cat.”
“A remote one,” she reminds me. “Shadow can fend for himself for a few days. You have an automatic feeder.”
I can tell from the way she’s looking at me that she won’t take no for an answer. Minny always has a way of getting me to do what she wants. It’s been that way since we were kids. But I can’t just up and leave, especially not for a spontaneous trip to Vegas.
“It doesn’t work like that,” I tell her, trying to sound firm. “I have to plan these things out, give my job notice, make sure everything is in order.”
“Charlie,” she retorts, placing her coffee on the table in front of us before taking my hands in hers. “You have spent the last seven years in hell, living under his thumb. You need a break and some fun.”
“I have fun,” I protest weakly.
“When was the last time you went out on a date?” she asks pointedly. “Taking Shadow to the vet doesn’t count.”
“That’s different,” I say, feeling defensive.
“How is it different?” she asks. “You deserve to have fun, Charlie. You deserve to let loose and have some great memories to look back on. You’ve been through a lot, and it’s time to start living again.”
I let out a sigh, knowing she’s right. It’s hard to argue with her logic. “Fine,” I say after a moment. “I’ll go with you to Vegas but just for the weekend.”
“That’s the spirit,” she exclaims happily. “Now, let’s get packing. I’ll help you.”
I watch as she bounces off the couch, her energy infectious. I can’t help but feel grateful for her friendship. She always knows how to lift my spirits. While packing my bag, I feel a sense of excitement bubble inside me. Maybe this trip is what I need to leave my past behind and start rebuilding my life.
In just a few hours, with Shadow squared away with his automatic feeder and a pet sitter service on call, we’re on our way to Vegas, blasting music and singing along at the top of our lungs. I can’t help but laugh at her infectious energy. It feels good to be carefree, even if just for a little while.
CHAPTER 3
THOR
