Page 139 of Seasons of Love
“Okay. I guess I’ll see you at the store, the soup kitchen, or next weekend.”
“Yeah.”
I take Sara inside before coming back out for the boxes.
Ellis helps me bring them to the door and then goes back to the car.
He turns around like he wants to say something but instead just leaves.
“The first time that nice man dropped you off, you were smiling. This time, not so much.” Florrie stands from behind a bush.
“Jesus, Florrie. You want to give me a heart attack?”
She laughs. “Sorry, my dear, I thought you saw me here deadheading the roses. Anyway, what happened between last time and today?”
I give her a smile I don’t feel. “Nothing, Florrie. We’re just friends.”
“Hmm…I was just friends with my late Freddie until we weren’t just friends anymore.”
“We’re just friends,” I repeat, and I’m sure it’s more to remind myself of that than for Florrie’s benefit.
If I’m honest, I don’t even know if we’re friends, but I’d like to think we are. Especially after all the time we’ve spent together having lunch and Ellis tutoring me. And today, we shared more personal stuff.
Maybe that’s just another one of those things that only exists in Milo’s world, like love and happy endings.
“I’ll let you get inside because I have to get ready for the bowling club, but this conversation isn’t over.”
“How many clubs do you belong to?”
“A girl’s gotta try everything once. Even other girls.”
“Florrie!”
She goes off giggling to herself, leaving me slightly shocked on my doorstep.
18
ELLIS
The Academy is noisier than usual. Probably because it’s Friday night.
Tonight is the town meeting about the parking lot. Arlo got an invitation to sit in because of his association with the craft fair.
Levi is working the bar tonight, and Fletcher is babysitting all the kids, so Arlo agreed to join us later to give us an update on the meeting before picking up Ava from Fletcher and Harrison’s place.
“You’re very quiet tonight,” Harrison says, leaning closer so I can hear him. “That’s usually my job.”
“It’s noisy here. I can’t even hear myself think.”
“It’ll die down in a bit. Usually, people either stay for dinner or go home after happy hour. Wanna step outside?”
“Sure.”
We pick up a couple of beers from the bar and go outside, where there’s a cordoned-off area with some tables and benches. Despite the warm summer night, the outside space is practically empty.
“What makes people want to pack like sardines into a hot bar instead of sitting outside where they can breathe fresh air instead of body odor?” I ask.
Harrison chuckles. “Bars and clubs were never my thing unless my best friend dragged me out, but if I remember correctly, it was the whole smelling someone else’s scent and rubbing against each other. In the right place, at the right time, it can be a really…enjoyable experience.” He elbows me playfully.
