Page 9 of Worth the Trip

I held out my hand.

She put them in her purse.

“What are you doing?”

“You’re going home.”

“I drove here.”

“Kareem will take you.”

“Kareem is working.”

“Kareem,” she called through the closed door.

His answer came immediately from the hallway. “I can take her.”

I stared at the door. “You were listening?”

It opened just enough for him to look inside. “These walls are thin, and y’all are loud.”

“I’m firing both of you.”

“After your vacation,” Nyla said.

Kareem nodded. “Enjoy Willow Run, boss.” He disappeared before I could respond.

I looked at my sister. “You planned an intervention.”

“I planned a break. The intervention became necessary when you volunteered to chase a dairy truck across Self Ridge.”

“That driver had been awake since four.”

“I know.”

“He looked exhausted.”

“So do you.”

The truth didn’t need anything added to it.

Nyla tapped the corner of Nana’s note. “Go see her. Sleep late. Read something you didn’t order for Scoops & Stories. Sit on the porch long enough to become irritating company.”

“I’m never irritating.”

“You’re my twin. I have documentation.”

I gathered the brochure and the little girl’s drawing from my desk, careful not to bend either. Beyond the office, someone rang the brass bell beside the register. Applause followed, then laughter.

My attention turned toward the narrow window.

For half a second, habit urged me to get up and see what had happened.

I stayed seated.

Nobody came looking for me.

Nyla noticed but, mercifully, didn’t congratulate me for it.