AllFreeNovel
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Sometimes I lay in the warmth of the cold winter sun. Hoping it will scan my body and focus on the areas that need healing.
Do you know what the smell of fresh snow reminds me of?
When the world grows silent without sound.
Do you know what my favorite type of tired is? It reminds me of the space of unconsciousness when you aren’t asleep but not awake, you are floating between realities, and it’s the perfect temperature to breathe. When you are so sleepy, you’re almost riding a high when you lie down and become part of the night. Over time, the stars stop connecting, and you begin to blend into the constellations like the stars start to reveal your own hidden secrets, and you only find out by reading it in the Sunday paper in the horoscope section.
Maybe it’s that vitamins will enter my bloodstream, and my mind is so focused on the effort that possibility is born. But every snowflake that drops on my head, I imagine it gifts me a blessing.
“Phoebe, what are you doing outside, in the snow?”
“You’ve never made snow angels before?” I don’t lift my head; I stick my tongue out to catch the cold ice.
“Of course, I did. But why are you doing it when we have work to do?”
“Elle, come lay down next to me.”
“I’m in high heels.”
“Pretend you’re not.” I see her debating, especially with a few of my neighbors who walk by, and I wave at them.
“Fine, but if my coat gets ruined, I buy a new one and send you the bill.”
“Fair enough.” I hear the snow crunch beside me as she lays down.
“Isn’t this relaxing?” I breathe in the cold air and wiggle my bottom deeper into the snow.
“We could have gone to a spa. That would have been relaxing.” She shifts a few more times, trying to get more comfortable.
It’s been a few months since Rachelle entered my life. She keeps me on the path I need to be on. No backtracking, sidestepping with distractions. My business has never been better.
“Where is your sense of adventure? We won’t be going to rich spas; if you want a spa, we will go and do mud baths in the forest during a full moon.”
“I knew you were going to say that.”
“Because you declined my offer last time to join me.”
“Because it is the type of person you are, Phoebe.” I hear her relax a bit. “Can I tell you something?”
“No.” I close my eyes and listen to nothing. “Okay, go ahead.”
“I used to be a man.” I know it probably isn’t something she would tell everyone, but she must trust me to say it aloud.
“No shit?” I lift my head to look at her. I scan her body, but I don’t think I would have noticed if she didn’t say anything.
“Better believe it.” Smoothing down her coat from the wrinkles.
I lay my head back down and think for a few minutes.
“I used to be white.” I mean, it’s only half true. “But the other half of it wouldn’t go away.”
Rachelle turns her head to me, and I turn to match my eyes with her, and we both bust up laughing into a fit.
“No more playtime, Pheebs. Up, up, we’ve got Africa to plan. And I am sure you would love my complaining ass to come with you. But it is my daughter’s birthday, and I promised her a petting zoo with a miniature pony.” Rachelle reaches over and pulls me up.
“I am sorry, who is the boss here and calls the shots?” I dust off my jacket and sweatpants.
“At the moment, I am, or nothing would get done.” She quirks an eyebrow, and I nod.
