Page 57 of Teach Me How

Why can’t I go where I want?

Hurrying over to the couch, I snag my laptop and open up a job site. I crow excitedly when I see how many job openings there are in the Denver area.

I open a window and another, until my screen is full of companies and neighborhoods I’ve never heard of.

A creeping sense of doubt slips up alongside me, taking up a growing space in the cavity of my chest. What if I don’t like it there?

What if I take a job at a company from hell and end up hating it? Or move to a neighborhood filled with potholes and angry racoons.

Digging my phone out from underneath a pile of cushions, I navigate to his contact number and press call.

He picks up after two rings. “Who’s this?”

“It’s Reese.” I’m mildly offended that Mitch didn’t save my number after he gave me his.

“Oh. Hey, sis. I didn’t expect you to call.”

I can’t quite keep the indignation out of my voice. “You gave me your number.”

“To text, not to call, goofball. Who calls people this day and age?”

“My mother.”

He laughs, the sound is uncannily similar to Skyler’s laugh. “My point exactly.”

“Should I hang up and text you instead?”

He sighs dramatically. “No. Too late for that. We should Face Time.”

“Don’t make it weird.”

“It’s already weird.”

Before I can reply, he ends the call. Within seconds, I’m getting a video call request. With a sigh, I accept the call and Mitch’s head and shoulders fill the screen. He’s wearing glasses and has a light layer of scruff on his chin. Apparently, weekend Mitch isn’t as polished as weekday Mitch. I can’t say much. I’ve got my glasses on too and my hair is twisted up in a clip.

I spot mountains over his shoulder. “Are you on a hike?”

He laughs, angling the camera so I can see his tiny patio. “My condo.”

“Oh. Nice view.”

“Thanks.” He tilts his head. “What’s up?”

“I just had a quick question. Where is Westminster?”

“Colorado?”

I nod.

He laughs. “This is a text type of question. Not a call type of question.”

“Just answer me.”

“West Denver. Why do you ask?”

“I found a job posting there and wondered if it was a nice place to live.”

He shrugs. “Yeah. It’s nice. A little vanilla. You’d probably like Golden or Boulder better. Are you job hunting?”