Page 20 of Broken Grump

Sam just shakes her head. “Why does she hate that so much?”

“Because.” I take another shot. “It isn’t cool if her mom likes it, right?”

“I suppose. That is really funny though. I liked her too back in the day.”

I gesture toward my daughter’s door. “Youcan tell her that. She thinks you’re awesome.”

To test it out, Sam goes over and relays the same message I did, but is met with a very different reaction.

Luna actually opens the door and pokes her head out.

“You used to like Taylor?”

“Mhmm.”

A large grin spreads across my child’s face. “That’s so cool!”

“Told you,” I say when my best friend comes back by me.

***

Now that Sam’s the superstar of the house, I let her put Luna to sleep.

“She’s down for the count,” she announces.

I’m still swigging the vodka she brought over. “Thanks, dude.”

With my buzz, I got hungry. So I put together an assortment of slices of cheese that I very carefully made sure weren’t expired or had any mold on them.

Sam sits down again, and she picks up a piece. “No worries. So, tell me about this new job.”

“I’m not sure what there is to tell. All I know is that Abuelo was venturing out into the hotel business.”

My friend’s eyes narrow. “Really?”

I shrug. “Apparently.” I want to tell her about Hayden’s mysterious involvement, but I know that will just open up a whole new can of worms. Plus, it’s not like I have the answers for that piece of the puzzle either. Whenever I ask anyone, they just seem to ignore me.

“That could be right up your alley, right? With your new, fancy architecture degree and everything?”

“Well, maybe.” I have thought about that aspect. But again, I’m relatively in the dark about the project itself, and how far along in the design and construction processes.

She leans against her closed fist. “I don’t know, Adds. This sounds like it might just be your dreams coming true.”

I click my tongue. “Maybe.”That, or it’s my worst nightmare.

We continue catching up until she happens to glance down at her watch. “Oh, God! It’s getting late.”

I check my own and see that it’s almost eleven.

“I’ve got to get to the studio early tomorrow morning, so I better get going.”

I nod, and she collects all of her things into her big tote bag of a purse.

As I follow her to the door, my throat is already feeling dry, and my eyes are filling with tears.

“Well, I guess this is it.” She turns, pauses, and leans against the door frame.

I sniffle. “Yep. But it’s just a see you later. Never goodbye.”

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