Page 7 of Cloud Storm

She laughs and it’s so contagious that I end up doing the same.

“I don’t even want to imagine what this ‘better version’ of me is going to cost,” I sigh, making quotation marks with my hands.

“You know, a great new store just opened a couple blocks from here and I’m sure we could find some things to match your unique personality. Maybe some dresses, pants, and of course, some jackets…”

On and on she burbles about this amazing store, while I can’t help noticing our new neighbor has a visitor.

His Highness opens his door and stands on the sidewalk to greet the woman who’s just arrived. He glances over, and when he recognizes me, seems shocked to see me here. That asshole was so sure I was lying about my address on my loan application. Fucking idiot, so many people like him think if you don’t wear fancy brand-name clothes from head to toe or follow the latest trends, that you should live in a shithole.

Maybe Roselynn’s idea to upgrade me isn’t so bad after all.

“Okay, fine, you win,” I concede. “Since you love planning things so much, make a budget, show me how expensive this investment will be.”

“You’re going to accept this change so easily?” she yells in delight, while I wave for her to lower her voice. That idiot is still there with his lady friend and I don’t want him to know what we’re talking about. “Have I really won you over?”

“Not yet,” I say, refusing to admit defeat. “Do the damn budget and I promise that I’ll at least look at it.”

My friend starts talking like crazy, and before I know it, she’s creating a list of what we need to buy and where we’ll go when the new improved version of me is complete.

“There’s a meeting scheduled in San Francisco in a couple of weeks, and we need to make a good impression, Ariel.”

“If I should decide to go, I’ll be taking the train. Don’t think for one second that I’m getting on a plane. If humans were meant to fly, God would have given us wings.”

“Feathers definitely don’t look good on me,” she says with laughter.

“Then don’t tempt me to show up dressed as a drag queen on crack to your damn meeting.”

She makes a childish gesture of disgust by putting her finger in her mouth and pretending to vomit. Just then her husband Chase shows up bringing their adorable pet—a white Labrador named Gaviota, yes, seagull—and steals in to slip his arm around her waist, startling her.

“Well, I think this meeting is over,” I say as a greeting.

Chase and I have a strange relationship. We appear to always be fighting, but deep down we appreciate each other, and neither of us will ever admit aloud that we enjoy our fights.

They kiss, their dog jumping excitedly around them. After a few minutes of small talk I’m relieved when they say goodbye as I really don’t like to play the third wheel game.

I prefer to remain on the sideline, thinking about the twists and turns of life.

It seems Fate has some unexpected surprises in store as I wonder why the hell that smug suit has come to live on the same block as me.

Maybe I should take some palmistry, tarot reading, or cloud classes.

If I only believed in those things…

From: Arthur

To: California Girl

Date: September 17th, 2019 00:45

Subject: I’m here

I’ve had some difficult days and I know we agreed that we won’t reveal specific details of our lives, but mine has suffered a big change. I wish I could share it with you, my California Girl. You have no idea how much that would mean to me.

Regarding your question if I ever liked someone who I should hate, the answer is very complicated. I have never hated anyone; my heart is an organ that has just discovered that it works for something more than to pump blood through my veins.

Maybe you should give me more details, that way I will be able to give you better advice.

Anyways, who could hate you? There’s no question that guy is nuts, because I believe he’s a fucking idiot. Maybe the poor guy doesn’t know how to fight against what you make him feel?

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