Page 20 of Enthrall
“Is she enjoying nursing school?”
“Loves it.” She handed me the drink. “Stay here on the sofa tonight.”
My lumpy bed certainly wouldn’t be missed.
“How’s your mom doing?” she asked.
“Better.”
She rested her hands on her hips. “She lost her hair yet?”
“Not yet.”
“She’s always been particular about--”
“Her looks. I know. She’s coping okay. I chatted with her last night on the phone and she seemed fine.”
Over the last couple of weeks, color had returned to Lorraine’s cheeks and she gotten some of her energy back. I’d managed to wrangle time off work to sit with her during her chemo, hold her hand, and even read to her when she’d stopped throwing up long enough. Lorraine was obsessed with all things celebrity and took great pleasure from watching TMZ. She couldn’t understand my lack of enthusiasm for wanting to watch B-actors walking in and out of airports, filmed on shaky cameras, and rarely saying anything interesting. Still, it made her happy and took her mind off the beeping machines and endless rounds of meds. If anyone could survive this, she could.
“How are you holding up?” asked Bailey, shaking me from my daydreaming.
“Good. Where’s Tara?”
“The gym.”
That’s right, this place also sported its own gym. Again I reflected how bad I had it in my studio. Still, it was home and I’d managed to decorate it with odd items I’d found at thrift stores. My carved brass headboard being an amazing find. Even if it did squeak each time I rolled over.
“I don’t think I’ll stay,” I said.
“Sure you don’t want a girl’s night?”
“Wouldn’t Tara mind?”
“Of course not. How’s the new job?”
“Great.”
“Seriously?” She threw me a knowing look and led me back into the living room.
We plopped down on her golden chenille couch.
I ran my hand over the fabric, coveting this piece of furniture as always. “I got fired.”
“What?”
I set the glass down on the coffee table. “I made a mistake on a letter. A typo—”
“Oh Mia, I’m so sorry,” she said. “Maybe it’s for the best.”
“I’m only the secretary, Bailey.”
“Still.”
“Tara worked there.”
“Not anymore.”
I gave her a look. “It’s not all bad. Cameron, a friend of my boss’s, told me to write a letter to express why I believe I’m a great fit. I’m going to literally beg for my position back tomorrow evening.”
