Page 86 of Avoidance

“Yes, but for good reason! I’m following through with my homework assignment.”

“Fine. I’ll allow it, just this once.”

“I’ll make it up to you. I’ll train for an extra hour tomorrow.”

“What makes you think I want to train you for two hours?”

“Oh. You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Relax, I’m kidding.”

“Oh.”

“You okay? You’re not firing your usual insults back at me.”

“I… I broke up with Chase last night.”

“Shit. All because of the girl in the picture?”

“No. That was nothing.”

“Okay. Well, you can tell me about it tomorrow. Are you going to be okay with your mom tonight?”

“I have no idea. I just need to get through work, first.”

“You know my number if you need to talk. I’ll be here.”

“I know. You have no life. I remember.”

“There she is.”

I cracked a smile. “Goodbye, T.J.”

“Bye, doll face.”

At seven o’clockon the dot, I heard a knock from outside.

My hand shook as I turned the knob to open the door. This was it.

Claire smiled nervously. “Hi, Merritt.”

Without a smile in return, I took a step back and gestured for her to come in.

“Thank you.” She walked into the apartment and took off her coat. “Where would you like me to put this?”

“Just lay it on the couch,” I pointed.

“It’s so nice in here.” She looked around and draped her coat over the armrest of the couch.

“Yeah. The Brooks took care of me when I had nothing and no one left.”

“They’re good people.”

We stared at each other in silence for a few moments, unsure of what to say next. I wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible, but I did not have a clue where to start.

“So,” she began. “I don’t know if I should start at the beginning, or the end.”

I shrugged.