Page 26 of Music City Diaries

The sun was settingwhen I managed to roll out of bed. Working through the night was an odd experience, but I started to crave it. I finally had a night off from both places, and a night in my PJs watching reruns sounded like a dream come true.

I wouldn’t admit it was because I was too sad to have friends. Nope.

Taking a quick shower, I wrapped my hair in a towel and pulled on clean clothes. The one nice perk at the laundromat was unlimited washing for all of my things. It was one I took full advantage of. There was something luxurious about having clean towels whenever I wanted them.

Padding a couple of steps into the kitchen, I pulled out the frozen pizza and placed it in the toaster oven. While it cooked, I sat at my rickety table, opening the second-hand laptop I’d purchased last month.

The first thing I did was sign into the secure server and checked for any messages. When I saw the red light, my smile spread across my face.

It had taken me a while to remember I could communicate with people this way. It was just another reminder of what thetrauma had stolen and the comfort bubble I’d been in with Maddox. I hadn’t needed to think, so I hadn’t.

I’d been hesitant about messaging him, but I needed to set something right. I didn’t hate him, not by a long shot.

MadDog:Hey, @Rosebud. I saw a sunset today that made me think of you. I miss you, Princess.

Rosebud:@MadDog, was it ugly then?

MadDog:Ha, ha. How’s your day? You just getting up?

Rosebud:Yeah. Long night.

We kept our lives vague, knowing it wouldn’t be good for either of us if we overthought it. Instead, we rekindled our friendship, starting from scratch. Maddox and I had never had a traditional relationship, so it made sense not to try.

MadDog:You doing okay?

Rosebud: I’m getting there. I miss you too.

MadDog: I know I’m not supposed to make promises….

Rosebud:Don’t. It’s too dangerous to hope.

MadDog: Okay

Rosebud: I talked to a girl at work.

MadDog: Oh? Gonna try to make a friend.

Rosebud: Yeah. I think so. You?

MadDog: I don’t have friends here.

Rosebud:Yeah, I know. How’s it going with your mission?

MadDog: I gotta go. Same time tomorrow, Princess?

Rosebud: Always.

MadDog signed out.

I didn’t miss how he avoided answering. Clicking over to the other chat I had, I sighed when there wasn’t a new message.

Rosebud: Hey, Dad. I love and miss you. How are you?

I signed out and checked my accounts with nothing else to do on the site.

Checking Balance:$300

Savings Balance:$100

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