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Malachi, I summed. How I knew his name, I had no clue. Why I knew his name, I had no idea. But, there it was, right on the tip of my tongue and at the top of my brain as visions of us, together, consumed me.
“What are you having?”
“Hashbrowns. Eggs. French toast. Roasted veggies. Shit, whatever, really.”
“I’m having a veggie omelet and hashbrowns. French toast doesn’t sound too bad.”
“I’ll handle the hashbrowns and french toast. You down for the vegetables and the eggs?”
“Deal.”
“Sade.”
The sound of “Smooth Operator” ending and the next track beginning brought me back from wherever I’d gone. I opened my eyes, feeling for my phone on the kitchen counter of my new place. In the midst of my search, the song quieted and it began to vibrate. Finding it was no longer a task; the buzzing led me straight to it.
“Hello?”
“Wellllllll, talk to me. Tell me how it went and when we’re having a virtual celebration because I know my girl knocked that interview out.”
I rubbed my throbbing head, trying to make sense of everything and nothing, at once. I didn’t realize how long I’d kept Jae waiting until I heard her call my name.
“Yeah?”
“Did you hear me? How was the interview?”
“There wasn’t one.”
“Please don’t tell me the Grinch canceled on you!”
“No. No. Not exactly. He tried, but no. We talked… well, I talked and the next thing I knew, I was hired.”
“Because you’re the woman for the job and he knew it!”
“I guess,” I groaned.
“What’s the matter?”
“The headaches,” I reminded her.
“Awwww, poor baby. You sure you didn’t jump out there too fast, Aeir? You could’ve stayed and let me look after you.”
“I don’t think this has anything to do with my injuries, Jae. It’s something else.”
“Something like what?”
“I don’t know. When I close my eyes most of the time, I see things. Things that don’t make sense. It’s like a daydream but it feels too real to be a dre— You know what, it’s nothing. I’m fine. I have done way too much moving around today. I need some rest.”
“I’m sure you could use some.”
“I’ll lay down right after dinner. I have to figure out what I'm cooking. I’ve been occupied with cleaning but now that that’s done, it’s time to feed myself.”
“It’s the first night. Order something for delivery and call it a night.”
“I don’t think so, Jae. This man—”
“The Grinch?”
“He’s not so bad,” I whined. “Maybe a little, but I think he’s just hurt.”
