Page 45 of A Bossy Roommate
“Bradley. Bradley Everhart. You’ve met him. He and I go way back.”
“Tell me about the moment you guys bonded.”
I think for a moment and enjoy her happy expressions about her food choice. “When Bradley and I were young—two broke kids in tattered jeans from Staten Island—we were dead set on getting our hands on motorcycles. I still remember that classified ad in the local paper and how we met that old, bearded biker in his rundown, dimly lit garage on the outskirts of town. After some negotiation, we sealed the deal, handing over the cash—our hard-earned savings from odd jobs and hustles. We rode our new rides out of that dusty garage, Bradley on his black Honda CB750, me on my blue Suzuki GS500, feeling like kings of the road. We loved riding through the countryside, exploring woods and hidden trails. The air in our faces. The open roads. The unknown. The motorcycle became an extension of ourselves. One day, we stumbled upon an old barn. From what we could tell, it was abandoned.”
“Oh, like a scary place?”
“Yes, it was creepy looking. I wanted to explore it, but Bradley warned me, told me it was sketchy, that it wasn’t safe. He said something about theTexas Chainsaw Massacre. I toldhim we weren’t in Texas and that he could wait here for me, I was only going to take a quick look. But good buddy that he was, he said that Hell would freeze over before he let me go in alone. When we were climbing up the squeaky stairs, the wood gave way and Bradley fell, hitting his head on the way down.”
She has stopped eating. “Oh, no! Please tell me you’re joking.”
“He was seriously hurt. There was blood everywhere. I grabbed his Honda—it was faster than my bike—and hauled ass to the nearest town to call for help. The ambulance rushed Bradley to the hospital. I didn’t leave his side for a second. He wasn’t even mad at me. Said it was an accident and that he would do it again.”
She places her hand on her heart. “Aww. That’s so heartwarming.”
“That’s not the best part. While he was recovering, we began dreaming of new adventures together. We decided to turn the old abandoned barn into a biker shop, where we could work on bikes.”
“And you’ve been best friends ever since?
“Well, he still gives me shit from time to time, but yeah, that’s pretty much it. He’s like a brother to me.”
“That’s such a touching story. What happened to the barn?”
“The old owner eventually tore it down. It was a shitty idea to start a biker shop in the middle of nowhere. While it didn’t lead directly to a successful venture, it did plant the seed of entrepreneurship in our minds. Shows you that sometimes a shitty situation can lead to something good.”
There’s a pause.
“I got goose bumps.” She puts her cutlery down and shows me her arm. “It reminds me of my sister.”
“Your sister? How so?”
“As you know, after my parents’ death, Diane took over Dad’s company. A fire hit the area. It caused significant damage and loss. Unfortunately, in recent years, the risk of wildfires has increased in the area where we live, due to factors such as land use and drought conditions. Anyway, after witnessing firsthand the devastation caused by a fire, my sister decided to shift our focus toward a more sustainable, fire-resistant landscape design approach, using plant materials and irrigation systems that could better withstand drought and heat.”
“Has she managed to balance sustainability with profitability? Is there room for further growth and scale?”
“The company was heavily in debt when she took over, and while it’s not making any real profits yet, the new approach seems to slowly be helping the firm grow and build a loyal customer base.”
“I’m glad to hear that. If your sister is seeking to expand, I’d suggest collaborations with other companies or organizations to reach new audiences. Why don’t you tell her to give me a call? Maybe I can open some doors for her.”
“Oh, my goodness.” With big eyes, she gives me a nod. “I will tell her. I appreciate that.”
From there, we continue to enjoy our meals while engaging in conversation: fond childhood memories, books and movies we like, our favorite and least favorite foods, and we even scratch the surface of our hidden talents. Me: a talented survivalist who can rescue victims of unfortunate barn accidents, she: a skilled fire starter who can ignite a fire even in the unlikeliest conditions.
“What haven’t you learned about me so far?” She smiles a bright smile when the waitress brings her dessert, a gelato with a cherry on top, and an espresso for me, with a small cup and saucer, accompanied by a glass of sparkling water to cleanse the palate.
When she offers me a taste of her dessert, I decline.
“You sure?”
“Oh, I’m sure.”
“Carter, okay, since you dare to deny the opportunity to taste my sweet dessert—once again—I present you with a challenge! Tit for tat. Remember when I said something nice about you earlier? This is the moment you pay me, your brilliant roommate and fake wife, a genuine compliment back—not just the run-of-the-millpretty,capable, and funny.Booo. It can’t be predictable and shallow. You have to really mean it.” She pauses. “I mean…you know, your aunt really might ask, and you want to be prepared.”
“She probably will. Let’s see. I learned that you’re passionate,” I start, watching her roll her lips over her teeth to take a bite of her ice cream. I shake my head, holding back an almost-chuckle. “I learned that you enjoy life, and you don’t worry too much about the consequences, or about being goofy.”
“Mmmm, fififfooooodelifiouf…” she mumbles as if on cue, and motions for me to continue.
“You never worry what other people think,” I point out, “and you make your own decisions. You enjoy life to the fullest, and it’s an incredible way to live. It sets you apart from others.” She swallows her ice cream, looking at me, her face blushing. “I’ve also come to understand that you don’t have a mean bone in your body. It’s rare to find someone whose soul is untainted by the harshness of the world that can often be dark and unforgiving. But in you, I see someone who has managed to hold on to their goodness, and I think it’s inspiring. If anything, it reminds me that there’s still hope for humanity,” I say as she listens to me intently, her eyes growing bigger and bigger. She has completely forgotten her ice cream. “That’s what I’ve learned about you. Whether it’s a career goal, a personal ambition, you’re focused when you’re in the moment, you’re not afraid tosay what you think, and you’re not afraid to ask for what you want. I know you’ll continue to achieve great things.” I reach for my sparkling water. “And you’reflexible.”