Page 6 of Not the Plan

“Obviously, that’s for your eyes only,” Christina said.

“Yeah,” he said. “I got—” Karim had continued scanning the list while she’d been speaking and had just reached the bottom, where he’d found his own photo.

Guess that makes me a Capulet.

—

He walked through the glass doors of the senate office building, squinting into the sunlight as he loosened his tie. Taking a deep breath, he felt some of the weight lifting from his shoulders. As he walked down the street, more than one woman’s head turned. It was something he appreciated, though he always had to mask a wave of shyness when it happened.

Reaching his rental car, he tossed his jacket on the passenger seat and called his brother back.

“Hey, man, what’s the word?” Khalil asked as soon as he answered.

“Hey. I got the job. Start tomorrow.”

“Excellent! Not a surprise, though.”

Karim shook his head. “You never know. Will you pass the word around? Don’t need Mom to keep worrying.” Though maybe she would if she knew about this Capulet-Montague stuff. Maybe he should. He decided to look on the bright side and focus on the fact that he had landed the position.

“Like it’s possible to stop her,” Khalil said. “But yeah, I’ll let everyone know. So, I’ll see you in San Diego on Saturday?”

“You know you don’t have to come all this way. I can move in on my own.”

“I’m overdue for a vacation. Never been to California. It’s the perfect excuse.”

“Uh-huh.” Khalil wouldn’t admit to being worried about him, so Karim wouldn’t push. But he could give him a hard time. “One thing,” Karim said, admiring the palm trees swaying in the breeze. “You might wanna ease up on the food, man. I didn’t wanna say anything before, but you’re getting a little soft.”

“Hey,” Khalil said. Karim could tell he was trying to hold in a laugh. “Don’t hate ’cause my girl can throw down. And don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it when you were here.”

“You’re right. And I shouldn’t complain. It’s probably for the best.”

“Why’s that?”

“People can finally tell us apart.”

“Ouch!” Khalil laughed. “I’m glad for you, bro. New city, new start.”

“Yeah.”

“Now all that’s missing is a new girl.”

Karim hesitated, remembering his flirtation with the woman from the plane. That Isadora who’d almost scalded him, then made up for it by boosting his confidence. But he wasn’t ready to share.

“Don’t, Khalil. Gotta go. I’ll see you Saturday.” He hung up, the phone joining his jacket. As he was getting ready to go to the apartment complex Christina had recommended, his phone rang again. Expecting it to be Khalil, he went to send the call to voicemail, but noticed the number. The area code was familiar, but it wasn’t anyone in his family.

Who else would be calling from Detroit?

Whatever it was could wait. He needed to get his living situation squared away. Pulling onto the street, he returned to his checklist.

Move to California—check

Find a job—check

Place to live in district—check

Place to live at the capital—almost check

Get a life…

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