“Pretty good I guess. Stressed for a few weeks getting my med school applications out. But it’s done now, out of my hands,” Celeste says, leading us back towards the kitchen area.
“That’s awesome, congrats!” I say, genuinely excited for this accomplishment of hers.
“Thanks,” Celeste turns and grabs two cans from the fridge, opening them for us and handing me one. “I don’t hear back for months but, such is life.” She glances around, spotting Delaney beckoning her over. “I should go sit with the birthday girl, but I’ll see you later this week for coffee still?”
“Yeah, yeah definitely,” I say nodding in confirmation. She offers me a small smile before moving to sit with Delaney.
I drink my pop slowly while grazing the spread of snacks that cover the counter top. I’d never really been the most outgoing person so to be in a room full of people I didn’t know was an uncomfortable experience. Glancing toward Ellora who sits at Delaney’s other side, the feeling is clearly genetic. She’s biting her nails and offering polite smiles but it’s clear Ellora has a hard time around large groups too. A harder time than I’m having. But she did it, for Delaney. The girl sheloves.
There’s that word again. Love. For me, it holds so much power. As soon as you let it loose into the universe you became a target, vulnerable to heartbreak and disappointment. I know that the stirring sensation in my chest is love. Love for Celeste. It feels like submerging yourself in a warm ocean current, bobbing along in bliss.
In all honesty, I’m scared. Scared of the rejection she might very well give me when we meet for coffee. Scared of those calm seas turning tumultuous and suddenly we’re unable to navigate them together. I’ve been pessimistic to a fault, for sure, but I still think that my fears are valid. I had a hard time dolling out myheart as a child too. I guess that stemmed from my parents lack of affection for Ellora and me. We were constantly cast aside, left to our own devices. Instead of reaching for each other, I turned my back and my sister tried reconnecting with our parents. Over and over again they let her down. They hurt her in a way I’ll never understand. She became guarded and that’s when her addiction reared its ugly head. Somehow she found strength. An unimaginable strength to pull herself from her addiction, do the work to get clean and now find love in a beautiful reciprocal relationship.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Delaney’s voice pulls me from my inner turmoil. I was so lost in thought I didn’t realize that she had moved from centre stage between all her friends to now beside me, an onlooker.
“You know, they don’t even make pennies anymore. I used to go around and collect them on the street on my way home from school. Just to have some change.” I shrug.
“And how about now? Still searching for some spare coin? Or does Biblio & Brew fill your bucket?”
A straight shooter, that Delaney.
“Honestly? No. It’s a good kick start, decent shifts…I guess.” I turn, seeing her watching the side of my face intently.
“Well you know, I have a friend that works down at Copertina, the Italian restaurant a few blocks from here. They’re looking for someone to come in and help out. Dish washing, cleaning up, nothing fancy.”
I turn to Delaney, wondering where this stemmed from until my eyes catch Ellora looking up from her conversation with Celeste across the room.
“Did Lor put you up to this?” I ask, an eyebrow arching. I never liked hand-outs and as promising as it sounded to actually work in a restaurant, I wanted to earn my spot anywhere I went.
“Not entirely. She did tell me how good your lasagna was from the dinner you two had the other day. If your goal is to one day make that your career, then you’ve got to start somewhere, right?” Delaney looks at me with so much optimism and hope. It somehow worms its way into the decision-making area of my brain and I begin nodding in agreement without thinking.
Before I realize what I’m saying I blurt out, “Okay, yeah. I’m in.” I don’t regret it. It’s not like I just got the job, I’d still have to interview and what not. But something clicks. Maybe it was the residual joy from laughing with Celeste, or Delaney’s belief in me, or even Ellora’s interest in my cooking enough to tell her girlfriend about it, whatever it was, it feels right.
I look up to see Ellora heading toward us, leaving Celeste circled by a handful of Delaney’s friends utterly enthralled with whatever Celeste is telling them. I don’t blame them one bit. She could be listing off the periodic table, and I’d still find it fascinating.
“Dellie, we need you over there front and centre, babes.” Ellora leans in to give Delaney a kiss on her temple before tipping her head to where Celeste sits. Delaney, quite literally, skips to sit in the middle of everyone now huddled around her, practically preening.
“She’s something special, isn’t she?” I say to Ellora, intending to mean Delaney, but my eyes shift to Celeste all on their own.
“They are,” Lor says quietly beside me, noting exactly where my gaze has drifted. “I’ll be over tomorrow night to finish up that project if you want.” She turns to the fridge and pulls out a cake in the shape of a Furby. I raise my eyebrows quizzically at the frosted creature.
Ellora blows a stiff breath through her nose and levels me with a look. “Don’t ask.”
I chuckle and help Lor light the candles atop the Furby’s head, careful not to light his cotton candy hair on fire. OnceEllora has the monstrosity in careful hands, she nods to three people spaced around the apartment to hit the lights. As we fall into darkness I hear voices begin chantingFor She’s A Jolly Good Fellowinstead ofHappy Birthday.
In true Delaney fashion, expect the unexpected. I hover in front of Ellora making sure no one bumps into her as she makes her way across the room and places the cake on the heart-shaped coffee table in front of Delaney. Lor rounds the table and quickly sits beside her. I look around to find a spot to huddle down so I’m not the only one standing but there’s very little space.
My eyes lock on Celeste’s as she pats the small spot beside her. I wedge myself onto the ottoman, thankful that she’s saving me in this moment. Her leg presses into mine as I begin to sit. As my full weight lands on the shared ottoman, I feel her hip dig into mine.
Delaney blows out her candles yelling “Thankful for meee!” as everyone claps and lights are flipped back on. It’s Thanksgiving day and most of these people have come from spending the day with their families, thankful for extravagant meals and boatloads of cousins. Hell, they may even like their family enough that they’re heading back to see more family after Delaney’s. I can’t imagine having a nuclear family youwantto spend time with. I can’t imagine a family at all. I’ll go home to an empty apartment, Ellora stopping by later tonight. Maybe I’ll whip up something resembling a Thanksgiving dinner for just the two of us. I may not have all the festivities but what I do have, I’m thankful for.
TWENTY-SIX
Affogato
Celeste
I’m a nervous eater.Always have been. As much as I’ve tried to bethe girl who’s too stressed to eat and loses a pound over a difficult essay,nope. Not me. This is precisely why, as my nerves rack against my rib cage and a hunger in my belly brews, I’m headed for the ice cream shoppe, with Delaney in tow. I figure even if Maria sees me, Dominic and I are on good terms,kind of,so this is a safe place to grab a sweet treat. I need a sugar fix and my best friend to enable me.
