Page 50 of Pillow Talk
Sam watched him intently.
‘What’s this about, Sam?’
‘I don’t know. I guess I’m still surprised by Shona’s confession the other night,’ he replied.
‘Don’t be. It’s just Shona. She’s complicated,’ Sen said nonchalantly.
‘I guess you’re right. Anyway, did you watch the game last night?’
Shona woke up in a sweat. She’d dreamed about her grandmother again. They were in the shop. It was dark and she was hiding away from the fierce old woman.
She didn’t analyse it. It was obviously linked to her fallout with her parents. She needed advice, but not from Anni – she knew her friend would always side with her.
After a shower and breakfast, she worked on orders for Felicity. When she finished the sixth one, she looked up and noticed the lighting had changed in the room. She looked out the window. Sunset!
She stood up and stretched. Her back ached but it was a good ache. She loved her work. She went to the kitchen and heated some leftover pasta while scrolling through social media.
Boring.
The microwave pinged.
She carried her plate to the couch, switched on the TV and ate absentmindedly. After supper, she cleaned the kitchen and walked around her apartment, looking for something to do.
Then she had an idea. She put on her running shoes. It was still hot in the evenings so she was glad she was still in her shorts and graphic tee. She grabbed her phone and went out, taking the stairs. As she left the building, she ran into Sen, who’d just jumped out of his car.
‘Sen?’
‘I should have called before I came over,’ he said, embarrassed.
‘It’s fine. I’m just heading out. Raincheck?’
‘No,’ he replied.
Her eyebrows shot up.
‘Excuse me?’
Sen put his hands in his pockets. ‘I’m coming with you.’
She shook her head. ‘That’s not necessary.’
Sen took a step closer.
‘This is not pillow talk. This is a friend supporting a friend. I don’t know where you’re going but I’m not letting you go out there when you look like you’re about to cry.’
Shona looked away.
‘Sho, I was your friend before I got into your pants. I am a friend. Now tell me where you’re going,’ he said.
‘The cemetery.’
His jaw dropped and then he quickly recovered. ‘And why are you going to the cemetery at…’ He looked at his watch…‘8pm?’
‘I’ve been having nightmares about my grandmother. You know what, forget it. It’s a silly idea,’ she replied.
He walked to the passenger side and opened the door. ‘Get in, Shona. We’re going to the cemetery.’
As they drove towards Rally’s Cemetery & Memorial Gardens, Shona counted the lamp posts. She didn’t know what to say to Sen. How could she explain it? And she wouldn’t. Sen called her complicated. Yes, her life was messy right now. And he wanted no part of that.
