Page 103 of David

“Smart girl.”

Okay, she’s in a better disposition.

“So, are you coming or not?”

“You said you were going?”

“Yes.”

“What do I need to do?”

“Shower and change your clothes maybe?”

“Can I borrow something from you?”

“Sure.”

Smiling, I rise out of my seat and show her to my small walk-in closet.

LIZ

We take a cab to Rain Sexton’s mansion. I don’t want to deal with my car. It needs an oil change and new tires and sometimes doesn’t start.

Our trip to her place is amazing.

A bright sun tosses a golden veil over the mountain peaks in the distance, and the trees are draped in red and yellow leaves.

Patches of greenery still hold onto their summery looks, and lovely houses are scattered across the land.

The closer we get to our destination, the bigger the properties.

I almost forgot how beautiful Rain’s place is.Thea returned from Turkey the first time we stopped by.It was beautiful back then, but my perception was somehow skewed.

The details only registered with me at a superficial level.

Things are different now.

Maybe because I’ve contemplated my life lately, and I finally started living on my own.

Rain living a fairy tale life hadn’t stuck with me. It didn’t flash through my awareness. Not even when we were her guests that evening.

Things are different now.

I look at the view with more patience. The rolling hills, the forest, and the stream snaking down the valley make me a little nostalgic.

The old trees hold their branches high, creating a canopy of trembling leaves above the road.

Slumped in the corner, Chloe moves her gaze over the view like me.

We both wear dresses and sports jackets, although we argued before agreeing to these outfits.

Her hair is pulled up into a bun, and a colorful scarf holds it together.

My hair runs down my back, and a few necklaces fill the space between my chin and the top of my chest.

Her dress is white with a small pink floral print––so not like her, she complained––and mine is white with a tiny abstract print.

I bought them both at Maggie’s and got them for fifty percent off. She also gave me the employee discount.

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