Page 32 of Fever

Carla reared her head around and put her hands on her hips. “Oh, so I don’t get an invite?”

“Well with you quitting your job, I didn’t think you would want to spend money when you should be saving it until you get something else.”

“Is that what you thought? I know I don’t live in an upscale townhome or anything, but I think I can afford a drink or two without the lights going out.”

“Okay, so does that mean you’re going?”

“I don’t know. I have to check my bank account.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Girl.”

“What,” she said. “Ooh, girl, I met this honey brown skinned brother at the library of all places. He was so cute. You know I was scoping out his ring finger like this.”

Carla bucked her eyes and tilted her head forward as if searching for something on the floor. I laughed and shook my head some more.

“Oh my God, you are so crazy. Do you think he can read or was he just there to scope out single desperate women?”

The smile on Carla’s face fell. “Oh, so you got jokes?”

I shrugged. “Actually, I was serious. Did he check out any books?”

Carla mused over it for a second. “Now that you mention it, I didn’t see him check out any books.”

I giggled some more.

“When I spotted him, he stood at attention with his hands behind his back looking my way.” Carla shrugged, and I laughed harder. “You’re being mean. What’s gotten into you today?”

“How am I being mean?”

“You just called me single and desperate, and I resent that. I’ll have you know you’re still single yourself. Might not be desperate but still.”

My giggles bubbled over. “Aww, don’t be like that.” I reached out and tugged at her cheek.

“Get off me,” she mumbled, swatting me away.

“Okay my mouth is closed. Finish telling me about your day,” I said.

“Long story short, he gave me his number. Told me to call him later.”

“So, are you?”

“Of course not, what I look like? You know I have to wait at least three days.”

“Really?” I said. “You’re doing the three days rule? That’s so high school.”

“How is that? Would you suggest I call later, looking like I had nothing better to do but sit around anxiously waiting to talk to him?”

I laughed and pulled into the school parking in my assigned spot. I flipped the visor down and checked my redberry colored lipstick in the mirror. The time read 5 p.m. School was over for the day, and Mrs. Rosenburg would be leaving within the hour.

“Thanks for sharing the highlights of your library trip. I look forward to the follow-up conversation.”

“Somehow, I feel like you’re trying to be funny again,” Carla said.

I was because I knew Carla would call before the night was over. We left the car and entered the school through the front door. There was a casual stroll in our steps, and after entering the office, Carla tapped lightly on Mrs. Rosenburg’s door.

“Come in please.”

Mrs. Rosenburg held up her hand, signaling for us to give her just a minute. The office was designed with a hideous floral print on the walls with every color of the rainbow while the furniture looked as if it had been made from the coat of a Zebra. As many times I had been in the office, there was no getting used to the style if you could call it that. Who in the world would take the time to pick out the patterns was beyond me.

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