Amelia has a habit of picking the least price objects or meals whenever I am paying for them. I appreciate her cutting costs, but I also want to be there for her.
"You know you don't have to do it?" she asks, and I can see her bright smile from here. "I don't even touch my salary; my father pays for my credit card."
"I want to be there for you, too… the way you are to me," I tell her, but she tells me that paying for her meals is not the only way I can be there for her.
“You are an amazing friend, Camile,” she says, “whether or not you pay for my meal.”
“I know,” I reply, “but I still want to pay for your meal.”
She laughs over the phone and tells me how stubborn I am.
****
In the evening, Amelia calls to cancel our little friendship date. "I am sorry, I got caught up in something."
I sigh deeply because I am already prepared for the outing with her.
I can't bear another minute of seeing Mother make cupcakes for my father's birthday.
I need to go out if I want to preserve my sanity.
“Are you sure you are okay?” I ask.
Amelia takes a few seconds before responding, “Yes,” she says. “I just need to get some things done.”
She hangs up the phone, but I know I can't get out of my clothes now. I can't sit back at home and tell Mother that my plans with Amelia have been canceled.
I walk to her in the living room, where she is decorating the ritual cake she used to make with my father.
I kiss her on the cheek. "I have to go out," I announce. "Amelia and I are going to M and J."
“Have fun!” Mother commands as I walk out of the door.
The Uber I called is on the street, waiting for me. When I enter, the man behind the wheel asks, "Where are you going, miss?"
I am silent, figuring out where I am headed this evening. I tell the cab driver to take me to the hospital without thinking.
Even though it is my day off, I can use my time alone on the hospital's rooftop. It is where I often go whenever I take a break or want to be alone.
I am excited to be on the roof tonight, staring at the tiny lights in the dark sky while the evening wind blows on my face.
I take the stairs up to the roof, but when I stop at the fifth floor, I see Troy's office is still lit.
Does he stay late every day? Or has he forgotten to switch off his office's lights? I walk slowly past his office. I discard the thought from my mind.
Troy is never my business, I tell myself, opening the door to the roof and sitting on the long wooden chair.
I was right; the wind blowing here is magnificent. The wind blows my hair as I watch the lit layout of the city.
It is a beautiful sight to behold. I always come to the roof during the day alone, but it robs me of knowing how beautiful the city is at night.
“What are you doing here?” A familiar voice says from behind.
I jump up from my seat, startled at how this person is creeping in on me. When the man approaches, I see that it is Troy.
What the hell is Troy doing on the roof at this time of the night?
"Troy! What are you doing here?"