Page 25 of Paradigm

Eline gave Marti a small smile in response, and they sat there, continuing to talk, but more to get to know each other this time than about their former and possibly current relationships, until Marti had to go because Marissa had texted her that she was hoping to stop by her place with some ice cream and watch a movie.

When Eline got home herself, she took a long bath, hoping it would quiet her mind, but it didn’t, and by the time she climbed into bed, she was exhausted from a long day at work, which had been stressful enough on its own, and the emotional highs and lows that came along with wondering if the girl she once loved could ever love her back again. When her phone pinged at her side, she expected it to be someone from work because it felt like work never ended at this company, but she was surprised to see a message from Arlowe, asking her if she could call her, or if it was too late.

“Hi,” she said, answering Arlowe’s call that came in a few seconds after Eline had texted her back that she could.

“Hi,” Arlowe replied.

“How are you? How was… Travis? It was Travis, right?”

“Travis is probably not doing well because I had to fire him, but I’m okay. Work’s been a little extra busy in general, and with Travis gone, I’ve had to pick up the slack, which is why I’m calling so late.”

“Isn’t this early for you?”

Arlowe laughed and replied, “It would be normally, but I manage people now – I work normal business hours, which I used to hate all the time but now only hate some of the time. I’m growing as a person, I think.”

“I’m sure you are.”

“How are you?” Arlowe asked.

“Good. I actually went out tonight. I think I met a new friend, so that’s good.”

“A new friend?”

“I met this woman that day I emailed you, actually. Her name is Marti. I went out with her again tonight.”

“Oh,” Arlowe said. “Out?”

“To a bar. We had a drink,” she replied, trying to decide how long to let Arlowe think that she’d been on a date with Marti.

She hadn’t planned it, but now she had a possibility of learning something by letting Arlowe believe that. Then, she remembered that they’d never played games with each other before, and she didn’t think that they should start now.

“Her girlfriend had to work late, so she was free,” she added.

“Ah,” Arlowe replied. “Speaking of drinks… I was wondering if maybe I could buy you one. I feel bad about having to leave the other day, and I would’ve called sooner, but I… Honestly, this is so strange, Eline. I never thought I’d see you again, and if I did, it would be on the internet, but here you are, living, like, fifteen minutes away from me.”

“I know; it’s a lot,” she agreed. “I’d love to go for a drink with you, though. I know you’re busy, so it can be whenever you want. There’s no pressure, Arlowe. We can have a drink and talk, and if you need to yell at me, you can do that, too.”

“Why would I yell at you?”

“I sensed some anger over coffee.”

“Not anger. Well, not anymore, at least. I let go of that a while ago,” Arlowe said. “There is still confusion and some sadness, though.”

“We can talk about it now, if you want, or we can do it at drinks. Or both times. We can do both. I mean, whatever works for you. I don’t want–”

“I always did love your rambles,” Arlowe interrupted her, chuckling. “And I am exhausted right now. I just didn’t want to go another day without calling you or to make you worry that I wouldn’t, but I’ll text you tomorrow about that drink, okay?”

“Okay,” she said.

“Yeah, um… Okay. Well, good night, Eli Fay,” Arlowe said, using the shortened version of Eline’s full first name as her nickname.

Eline laughed and said, “You’re the only one who’s ever called me that.”

“I know,” Arlowe replied. “Good night.”

CHAPTER 9

“How do I look?” Arlowe asked.