Page 19 of Friendshipped
“No one enjoys running at first,” Felicia says. “It gets more enjoyable as you build endurance.”
She’s looking at me with her classic appraising look. Her hand comes up to pinch her chin and her bent elbow rests in her other hand. She looks me over from thigh to forehead, taking in my generous curves and whatever else she sees.
“Not your science project!” I say, pushing past Trevor and Jayme and heading for my front door. “Get a puppy, or a rat. Ooooh. I know, offer your services at the local Bordeaux single mingle event.”
Yes. We have those.
No, I don’t go.
Ever.
Let’s just put it this way: they serve ambrosia salad.
“I’m not adopting wildlife,” Felicia says. “But that singles event …” her voice trails off as I make my way into the kitchen to pour myself a glass of lemonade—full of sugar. None of that namby-pamby diet stuff for me.
Jayme and Felicia come through the living room toward the kitchen. Apparently, Trevor got wise and retreated into his half of the house to avoid the queen of the overhaul.
Jayme comes into the kitchen and takes a seat at the island on one of my fluorescent bar stools—the fuchsia one. I bought four different colors to give the room some flair. A little whimsy never hurt anyone.
Felicia sits on the lime green stool next to Jayme.
“Do you want anything to drink?” I ask Felicia.
“What are you drinking?” she asks.
“Sugar-infused lemonade,” I say with only a little menace in my voice.
According to my sister, sugar is of the devil. It must be avoided at all costs, along with most carbs. I mean, lay me in a shallow grave today. What’s life without some carbs and sugar … and cheese … or all three together, like in a cheese danish?
Jayme takes a sip of her ice water to hide her smile.
Felicia shakes her head lightly, an amused grin on her face. It’s a combination of an expression that means so many things at the same time. I’m cute like a puppy who chewed your shoes. You want to mete out discipline, but also snuggle me.
“I’ll have water,” my inspirational sister says without any air of superiority, and yet, I still feel inferior.
I pour Felicia a water, and she turns to Jayme with a look of anticipation in her eyes.
Mayday! Mayday!
I feel like I have to get Jayme out of here. The expression on Felecia’s face reminds me of the way the cougar used to pace in front of small children behind the glass at the Cincinnati Zoo, even licking his chops unabashedly at times. My sister senses fresh meat for her life-intervention efforts. She’s not going to give up the opportunity easily.
“Jayme, didn’t you have a book you wanted to read?” I blurt out. “Or do you need to lie down and rest? We were up late, and you had such a draining day yesterday. Or maybe you want to … stretch from your run?”
I’m suggesting anything that comes to mind. I’d offer for her to pick the dandelions out of the cracks in Memaw’s driveway if it weren’t a bizarre request.
Jayme gives me an odd look. “I’m fine. I haven’t seen Felicia in a while. I’d love to catch up.”
Sensing her opportunity, Felicia swoops in for the kill and Jayme, unsuspecting as she is, sits still and allows the attack.
“So, Jayme,” Felicia says with a voice that may as well be waving a gold pocket watch on a chain and sayingyou’re feeling sleepy, you’re feeling very, very sleepy.
“Yes?” Jayme says, unwittingly opening the floodgates to renovation central.
“Lexi told me a little of what happened with your ex-boyfriend,” Felicia says. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks,” Jayme says, looking down into her water and swirling the glass a little. She shifts in her chair and looks over at me.
I give her a look that says,I tried to bail you out. Sorry. Or at least I hope that’s what it says.
