E

was a dream, the h

Elise draws away from the bed like

e thin carpet looks clean enough, but it feels sticky against my feet. And the

not th

bug out

e to do about it? This is the place

mean

booked the rooms and this

now why I'm being punished, too. I

being p

life at work hell because I won't sleep with him. E

ived with me, but now, I definitely can't be toeing t

ing stability for once in her li

ure a paycheck. There are worse things in the world. I'm tough; I

y window. Immediately, we're greeted with a stunning view

ke a prison cell at all," she drawl

"I'd love it if you could at least pret

on the edge of the armchair in the corner. A puff of dust rises out of th

aving a good t

id 'pretend.' I have to be here for work, so let's

partment,

es and take a

as been through a hard time. It's not

room and thank me every day for giving her a warm bed to sl

sed lips. "Yes. To my apartment. Where you no

aims. "I thought it

u how your day was, but you listen

on a pair of black, high-waisted slacks. If the clock above the television is righ

se cries out

riginal three-day plan was from before Roger bailed on me. Now, I'm doin

e practically begs. "Like... li

. I really need more friends. "And no. I'm doing this

like our mom when she pouts, but with her dad's reddish

upposed to d

on the TV stand. "You can walk to the bodega

off the table and shove

stood?

mock salute. "

play the role of her parent. That we can't be normal si

through any of that. I'm al

I have

, a water bottle, and my laptop i

I pop my head back into

s. "Love y

hat will h

ted. Sweaty and panting, but here. No thanks to the New York City Transit A

I answer it in a

ne between my ear and shoulder as I dig through my purse for

y did yo

.. shit, I

ing a heart attack?" she

ing and mop up my face. "I don't know how

k a million times. Why did

ny help from Aruba." The words com

isses into the phone. "That asshat is in Aruba? What

orning and bailed right b

. "So you're handlin

and come help me?" I'm joking, but

hing to a friend I have. I've only been in Oklahoma City for eight months, two of which revolved ar

, thank you very much. That's probably why Roger ba

one would sto

, you know? They cater in lunch and stop by to chat, show you picture

like a bullet, disappearing into the brigh

ldn't deign to see me. He just issues written memos from his office. Li

ind of

y, I wasn't moving fast enough. He ended up sending down som

ruins the integrity of

get done fast, do it. Then come back and tell me all about it. W

rch a few blocks down chime the hour. "Shit. It's

d godspeed,"