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Why did I even get out of bed this morning?
Jewel reaches for her backpack and starts rummaging around. “Here,” she says, extending an open palm to me. “Have an edible. It’ll make you relax, forget your problems for a while.”
I look down at the tin she twists the cap off of, and inside are pretty little candies coated in sugar. I reach for one but stop.
I do not need to be high right now. Or ever.
“No. I don’t want that, Jewel. Why did you even bring them here?”
She turns her nose up at my squareness. “Fine. Calm down. It’s legal here in New York, in case you forgot.”
She picks up one of the candies and pops in into her mouth. “Suit yourself,” she says, putting her edibles back in her pack.
I’m speechless.
“You know, Livvy, I can always ask my dad for money to help you. He likes businesses that I support.”
“Thanks but I don’t need edibles, and I don’t need your father’s money.”
I’ll figure this shit out on my own before I become a footnote in some tycoon’s greedy legacy.
15
LIVVY
I pace around Pawsh Pets,thinking about the bistro boys’ proposal, and now the developer’s plans.
It this meant to be? Is the universe giving me a short window to run my beloved store, and then telling me to get the hell out?
ShouldI get out?
“I’m heading for lunch,” Jewel says, her eyes glazed and half closed.
“It’s only ten-thirty,” I say.
She smiles and floats out the door. And as she does, Tim comes in with his parrot on his shoulder.
“Livvy, long time no see,” he says, trying to close in for a hug.
But I turn to straighten up a shelf, blocking his unwanted advance.
Score one for me.
“Hey, Tim,” I call over my shoulder.
“So, didn’t see you at my comedy club debut. You gotta stop by. My teacher says I’m as good as Jerry Seinfeld.”
This is one of those days where I can’t stand people and wonder why I just didn’t become a forest ranger living in a lookout tower where I never have to deal with other human beings.
I’m not kidding. After a battery of aptitude tests when I was in high school, that is actually what my guidance counselor told me I should go into.
She might have been right. Except that I hate the outdoors and could never climb a lookout tower due to my fear of heights.
“Oh, Tim, I’ve been pretty busy.”
The parrot on his shoulder shifts from foot to foot when it spots Harry.
“It’s okay, Polly,” Tim says, stroking her head. “You’re safe here in Livvy’s shop.”
