“If you need privacy, you lock the door. It wasn’t locked. Do you need privacy?” Amelia directed the question at Rowyn.
“Well, I’m out of the shower and I need to get dressed, so yes. But I’m happy to see you. I’ll throw these clothes on quickly and be down to say goodbye before you go, okay?”
“Fine.” Amelia drew out the word in the way only children could as she turned and ran back out of the room.
“Sorry, she was worried she wouldn’t get to say goodbye, and apparently you’re her new favourite person on the planet, so that wouldn’t do,” Eliza said.
“She is an impeccable judge of character,” Rowyn said with a grin.
It worked how she had hoped as Eliza finally raised her eyes to meet Rowyn’s with a tiny smile. Their eyes locked together for a moment, searching for answers to questions they had yet to discuss. Eliza finally broke the intense staring contest as her gaze dropped down. Rowyn was still wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around her, and her skin prickled as Eliza took her in.
“She gets that from me,” Eliza said, before she turned and walked out the door.
Eliza had gone to drop the kids off at their father’s and said something about lunch with a friend, which Rowyn took as meaning she wanted to avoid being alone with her. Whether thatmeant she regretted what happened or that she needed time, Rowyn wasn’t sure. The look on Eliza’s face this morning hadn’t screamed regret, but Rowyn had come to realize Eliza wasn’t as easy to read as the majority of people were for Rowyn. Or perhaps, a more accurate description was that Eliza wouldn’t let herself be read.
Rather than spending the afternoon pacing and overthinking, Rowyn ventured out to explore. Rowyn had gotten used to not having social media on her phone, but now she questioned her choices when she was in a new place. Making friends in the real world was a lot harder than it was online, and finding likeminded people was even more difficult without easy access to search engines or GPS. She spent a while figuring out the bus numbers and made her way into the city before eventually coming across a brightly lit caféwith rainbow flags painted on the windows. Bingo.
The caféhad couches and booths as well as tables and chairs. It was clearly designed with comfort in mind that assured its patrons they were welcome to stay. Rowyn ordered a tea and cookie as she took in the space. It had board games stacked on shelves along one wall next to a bookcase full of books. A noticeboard on top showed a ton of fliers, some personal and some advertising different upcoming events in the café.
It wasn’t long before Rowyn struck up a conversation with someone as she looked for a free seat and was invited to join the group of people already playing a card game on one of the longer tables. There was nothing quite as good as being welcomed in such an openly queer space, and Rowyn was grateful for the company.
Are you okay?—E
Rowyn frowned at the message that popped up on her screen as they finished up a game. She looked at the time and was shocked that hours had passed since she had found the café. Thetime had been spent playing three different games and getting to know even more people, all of whom had included her as part of the gang quite easily.
Rowyn had always been good at fitting in with people, often being told she was like a chameleon who could find something in common with almost anyone. She couldn’t remember the last time she had slotted in with a group like this without feeling the need to be anything but wholly herself, though, and the time had flown because of it.
All good. Found a cool queer caféand equally cool people.
Rowyn typed out the reply as Avery, the person who had introduced her to the group to begin with, tapped her on the shoulder.
“I need to head out. It was great meeting you, though. Throw your number in my phone and I’ll send you details of the screening.”
Avery had mentioned that one of the films they had a small part in would be screened at the local arthouse cinema during the week and had invited Rowyn along to watch with the others.
“That would be great. I’m going to get moving too, but I’m so grateful to you for making this whole finding friends as an adult in a new place thing far easier than I anticipated.”
Avery laughed as they passed over their phone and Rowyn entered her number.
“Now I need to find the right bus home,” Rowyn said.
“I’m getting the bus too. My stop is a little past yours, so I’ll walk you over,” Avery replied.
They said their goodbyes and headed out as Rowyn’s phone buzzed again.
Should I expect you in time for dinner? Making lasagne, but I can leave some in the oven.
Rowyn smiled as her stomach rumbled. She had shared some snacks during the afternoon but hadn’t realized how hungry shehad gotten since.
“Who’s the lucky lady?”
Rowyn glanced up at Avery.
“Sorry, I’m being rude. I’m sorting dinner plans,” Rowyn said.
“Mm-hmm,” Avery replied with a knowing smile.
“No, it’s not like that,” Rowyn said as she finished her reply letting Eliza know she would be back.
