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CHAPTER4
BRITT
“You need to think about how you appear in public.” My voice is exaggeratedly deep and nasally as I mimic Aiden’s words.
His annoying, superior words. Then I exhale aJerkas I take a pile of shirts out of my suitcase and sort them into my new dresser.
Edward sits straight as a judge, all long ears and droopy jowls, on the couch in the living room watching me. True to her word, my mother had the loft above her Star Parlor cleaned and de-pested and even somewhat furnished in less than twenty-four hours.
“She must’ve really wanted us to come back, Ed.” I take a fistful of hangers and carry them to the small closet beside the queen-sized bed.
A line of windows is above it, and I open them to allow a cool breeze to circulate.
“Britt Bailey! Is that you?” The familiar voice makes me scream, which makes Edward bark, and I run across the room to grab my best friend Cass around the neck in a hug.
“I’m home!” I cry as we jump up and down. “And I'm never leaving again!”
“Well, thank God for that.” Piper bustles in behind her, her auburn hair tied back in a ponytail. In her arms are two giant boxes.
Cass releases me to run back into the hall and retrieve two more big boxes, which she carries into my small kitchen.
“What in the world are you carrying?” I watch as Piper opens the first box.
“Your mom said you needed plates and spoons and kitchen items and bathroom items.” She takes out a stack of plates and carries them to the cabinet. “We just grabbed all the things nobody was using to get you started. Mom’s got more shit in her ‘end of the world’ cellar. She’ll never miss these.”
Piper’s mom is a doomsday prepper, which drives Piper nuts.
“You’re the best.” My heart is so full, and I’m so happy to be back with my people. “And if the world is ending, I’ll be sure to pack them all up and head straight for your mom’s cellar.”
“We’ll have a party,” Piper deadpans.
“I brought wine glasses!” Cass shoves her long, dark hair behind her shoulders as she opens her box and pulls out newspaper and bubble wrap before emerging with three large crystal stems.
“Just put them on the table, and I’ll pour us all a glass of wine.”
“I can’t believe you’re here.” Piper unpacks a smaller box of flatware then pulls out a frying pan. “I thought you were never coming back to Eureka.”
If one more person says that… “I’m learning you should never say never out loud in front of anyone.” My sarcasm is thick.
Cass puts her arm around my shoulders protectively. “Clearly Britt learned everything she needed to know in six months, and she brought it all home for our benefit.”
I give her arm a squeeze. “Actually, Mom called and said y’all are having a crime wave, and I had to get back here and help out before Eureka went to hell in a hand basket.”
Cass puckers her lips, nodding. “We’re basically St. Louis, but without all the good music and barbecue.”
“I wouldn’t go as far as St. Louis.” Piper holds her glass to the light before extending it to me for a pour. “Based on the numbers, we’re more in the Mobile, Alabama, range.”
I unscrew the cap on a bottle of Barefoot Pinot Grigio and divide the bottle into thirds among us. “How’s the newspaper racket, Jinx?”
“It’s going great, and I’m barely staying afloat.” She frowns before taking a large sip of white wine. “Leave it to me to pick a dying medium and fall in love with it.”
Cass carries her glass to the couch to sit beside Edward. “You know, Jinx, at some point, all this ‘born under a bad sign’ talk becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. You should start a meditation practice, say affirmations.” She leans forward talking in her doggy-voice to Edward. “Don’t you agree, Jacob?”
“Don’t start with all your newfound mystical guidance.” Jinx follows her into the living room and sits on the other side of my dog. “I’ve been practicing positive thinking for years. And don’t confuse the Notorious D.O.G. He’s not a Jacob.”
“He’s definitely not an Edward. Edward was a vampire.”
“Stop confusing my dog. He’s named after Shania Twain notTwilight, and why didn’t you tell me you were doing tarot readings with my mom, Cass?” I level my eyes on her.
