Page 56 of Finding Molly Parsons

“Oh, calm your tits, Mol,” Enid tutted. “I know a good match when I see one.”

“Sure, we would look striking together.” Yes, we would! “But we literally just met a few hours ago. Oh, and I live in California and she lives in Seattle. And you have no idea if she is seeing someone, or for that matter, if I’m seeing someone.”

“Are you?”

“Well, not seriously,” Molly mumbled.

“Chelsea doesn’t count as dating,” Bessie huffed.

“Who’s Chelsea?” Enid asked.

“A friend,” Molly answered.

“They bang now and then,” Bessie supplied.

“Jesus, Bessie.”

“What? You do. But let’s be honest, you’re not into her like that.”

“How do you know?” Molly asked indignantly.

“For a starter, you’ve told me enough times and because you, my dear, will settle down with ‘the one’ and no one else.”

“Ah, yes, I see that,” Enid chimed in.

“I’m not settling down. Ruth wanted that, not me. I like my freedom.” Molly was so full of shit, but for some reason she continued to argue her point.

“Horseshit,” Enid barked, then laughed. “You need a woman who makes you feel like you’ve come home. When that person comes along, you’ll settle.”

“Oh, because you guys know me so well. What, we’ve known each other for a few years? That doesn’t mean you’re experts.”

“We know you well enough to understand that when you get defensive like this, it’s because you don’t want to admit the truth yet. Which is fine.”

Molly sat stunned, her eyes shooting from Bessie to Enid. Both women had a satisfied smile on their faces. “Whatever,” Molly grumbled, snatching a gummy from Enid’s open palm.

“Are you at the high school tomorrow?” Bessie asked, breaking the awkward silence.

“Yes. I thought about taking Faith with me, if she was interested.”

“What’s happening at the high school?” Enid asked.

“I’ve been asked to give a talk about being young and queer.”

“Are you still classed as young in your thirties?” Bessie grinned.

“No,” Molly laughed, “But I’m the only one willing to do it. That’s why I want Faith with me. Maybe she’ll earn me some street cred.”

“Maybe stop saying street cred first of all. That’s uncool now, Molly,” Enid rolled her eyes at Molly’s obvious faux pas.

“Maybe I should take you?” Molly quipped.

“They ain’t ready for me, kid,” Enid stated seriously. Molly wholeheartedly agreed. Most fully formed adults weren’t ready for Enid Butcher.

“I think Faith would love to go,” Bessie added. “I’ve not had much of a chance to talk to her, but she’s clearly interested in this place and getting to know you.”

“She sure has gone through it to find you,” Enid stated.

“Yeah, she has,” Molly began. “But now I want to help her move past the bullshit in Kentucky and look forward to her future.”

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