Page 52 of One Sultry Summer

“We were thinking about eating at Fernando’s, a Tex-Mex restaurant near here.”

“That sounds good. Who’s going?”

“We’re all going, plus a few more.” Toni spoke; her dark hair was up in a loose bun. Her skin was complemented by the sundress and flip flops she wore. “We also invited Abby and anyone she wanted to bring along.” The smile across Layla’s face was infectious. She wore a Bay Area Rebels T-shirt and loose jeans.

“The more the merrier.” My smile grew wider, even though the feeling of worry was slowly creeping in sooner than I anticipated. Should I tell them about quitting my job? I brushed it off as we set off for a stroll. Besides, it was a lovely evening, and I didn’t want to bring anyone down.

It was nice to see people out and about again. Walking with my best friends to the restaurant, I couldn’t help but think about how much I would miss these spontaneous gatherings once they left. The warm atmosphere of Fernando’s and thelively chatter of my friends were a comforting reminder of the good times we had shared. As we settled into our seats and the conversation flowed, I decided to savor the moment, pushing aside my worries for another day.

The bell above the door chimed, and in walked Abby. I waved her over and had her sit near me. She quickly melted into a conversation with my mother, it was nice to see them getting along so well. We ordered drinks and food and chatted about upcoming things happening in everyone’s lives but mine. As the night went on, I found myself laughing along to stories and enjoying the company of my friends and family. The worries about my job and future faded into the background, replaced by a sense of gratitude for the present moment.

Toni stared at me and lifted her eyebrows. “Valerie. You’ve been too quiet this evening. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong.”

“I know that’s a lie.”

“No. There’s nothing wrong with me.”

She folded her arms and scowled. “This coming from the same person who was ready to take off her earrings and fight a man twice her size?”

“Okay, yes I did that. But you know I’d do anything to defend my best friends.”

Rae spoke next. “Out with it. We’re not leaving this table until you tell us what’s wrong.”

I shrugged my shoulders and lied. “I had this weird dream.”

“About?”

“That I was in high school, and they announced that concert tickets had gone on sale.”

“Concert tickets?”

“I know it’s weird, but I was standing in line, and I saw Rae and she asked if I could purchase an extraticket for her.”

“And?”

“Please stop interrupting her, Toni, before she loses track of what she’s saying.” Ronda pushed her plate away from her. Her sandy blonde hair cascaded past her sun-kissed shoulders. “Sorry, go on.”

“Well, I got up to the window, purchased two tickets with my credit card, and stood there waiting for them to give my tickets to me so I could go back to class. They told me there was some issue and that I would have to wait. Well, an hour later I was still standing there. Even after I complained, I never received the tickets. I was so frustrated that I stormed out of there and that’s when I woke up. Weird huh?”

Rae blinked her eyes. “Hm, that doesn’t sound like me. I wouldn’t leave you standing there alone. Are you having money issues?”

“No.” The side of my face twitched.

“Lies,” Ronda said. “Look, it’s written all over your face.”

“Val, are you having money troubles?” Mymom looked at me with worried eyes.

“Ummm. Not yet?”

“What’s that supposed to mean!?” Rae exclaimed.

I huffed out a breath. “I quit my job today.”

“Wait, was your dream a premonition?”

“I seriously don’t think it was a premonition. That was last night, and I quit my job this afternoon. Frankly, I didn’t feel I was being supported with my recommendation that Skybrook could use a hospital.”

---