installment

Sorry about missing last week.  I didn't get the chance to do much writing and only got a page done.  This is that and what I was able to do yesterday.  

It wasn’t until the next day that Amara got the whole story. She pulled into her parking space to see Anna getting out of her own car. “You ever going to buy a new car?” Anna asked from her own spot.

“What’s wrong with this one?” Amara asked as she grabbed her purse. “It run’s fine.”

“Maybe, but you can afford a new one.” Anna began walking to the elevator, and Amara caught up with her.

“I like being able to have money to save.” Amara pushed the button for the elevator and saw Alexandrea waddling behind them.

“Hold the elevator!” She called out, panting. She stepped in and said, “Thanks, I don’t think I could have stood to wait for it to come back down.”

Amara smiled at her friend indulgently. Then, as if just remembering said to Anna, “So, that date?”

“It was great,” Anna said vaguely and watched the numbers ding on the way to their floor.

Both Amara and Alexandrea stared at her, waiting for more details. Finally, Alexandrea said, “And…?”

Anna looked over at the two and said, “What? You want every detail?”

“Yes,” Amara said. She had introduced them.

“What did you do?  Where did you go? What did you talk about?” Alexandrea ticked off her points.

“It was a first date, we went to one of my restaurants.” She looked specifically at Amara and said, “You know she’s a vegetarian?”

Amara blanched a little and said, “No, I didn’t. Sorry.”

Anna shrugged, and said, “No, it’s cool. At least she doesn’t smoke. But I might have been a little more careful about what restaurant I picked if I’d known.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s a good point.” Amara was still cringing a little. But if Anna didn’t care, she felt she shouldn’t.

“Okay, but what happened,” Alexandrea asked, pressing for her details. The doors opened and it was clear Anna wasn’t going to say more.

“Fine,” Amara said as she stepped out of the elevator. “But we’re good for lunch?”

Anna smiled, “Sure, my treat.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Amara countered.

The women stepped into the lobby and found Carsin in her usual space ready to check them in. “How’s your dating life going.” Alexandrea asked as she was checked in.

Carsin looked surprised by the question, but said, “Great, you?”

“Oh, don’t mind her,” Anna said, “she’s just miffed at me.”

Carsin smiled, “Actually, he asked me to move in with him.

“Oh my god!!!” Alexandrea squealed so high that Steve turned around at his desk through the open door. “Our matchmaker’s on a roll.”

“Let’s get checked in or we’re going to be counted as late,” Amara said.

The women checked in and began their day. Amara had to order new chairs for Steve and Alexandrea. She ordered more of the usual office supplies along with break room supplies in bulk. Then smiled at her weekly order of yarn. Whever it was, kept themselves busy. She had her daily donuts after breakfast and finished just about in time for lunch. She smiled at Anna while smiled back. Mexican sounded good that day.

Amara stood, grabbing her bag and noticed for the first time that she had to really put effort into standing. It wasn’t too much, but she needed her hands to push off. She made her way to Anna and smiled, “Ready?”

“Hang on,” Anna said and tugged at the chair.

“I could have ordered you a bigger chair too,” Amara said watching Anna disengage herself from the chair.

Once standing, Anna said, “I might have to.” She gave a quirky grin and added, “I kind of get a kick out of it being too tight.”

Amara smiled, “Wouldn’t want to ruin your fun then.”

Anna insisted on driving with a gentle needle at Anna’s older car. Once seated at the table in the restaurant Anna couldn’t stop grinning.

“Okay, you have to tell me what happened.” Amara said.

“Let’s order first, then I’ll tell you,” Anna ordered her food and told the waiter to put their meal on one check.

“I’ll have the seafood enchilada with extra fried rice for the side. Anna said.

“Oh, and get us some caso blanco,” Anna added.

They both smiled as the waiter walked off. As soon as he was out of range, Amara blurted out, “Okay, tell me what happened.”

Anna sighed, “Fine. We went to another dive. You know the one down Fairfield?”

“Yes, you took me there,” Amara said.

It’s a good thing I took her there, “It’s the only place I know for sure doesn’t use lard in their refried beans.” Anna picked up a chip and started nibbling. “We ordered our food and I felt like a heal when I realized, but she handled it well. The waiter started saying things in Spanish about us.” Anna shrugged, “I don’t care.” With a little grin and a side look she added, “To be honest, I kind of get off on it. Anyway, she looks like such a greengo I didn’t think she’d know what they were saying.” Anna blushed and said, “They were making fun of her more than me so I was glad for that. She really is nice.” Then Anna couldn’t help but smirk. “Our food came and in flawless Spanish she asked for them to take the food back and fix some mistake and then some questions about some obscure politics based on his accent. The guy was really Cuban.” Anna shook with giggling. “She never commented on their cracks, but it was obvious she knew exactly what they had said since they were right in earshot.”

Amara’s eyes went wide, “Oh no…” She laughed a little.

“Oh yeah.” Anna’s smile was even wider. “She just looked at me like ‘what?’. I about died; I was so embarrassed. Then she just smiled at me and started asking me questions about anime.” The dip came, with more chips. “I don’t think she knew the first thing about anime, but she was asking tons of questions. She seemed to know all the original myths a lot of the stories are based on.

“So, you think it’ll work out?” Amara asked.

“I don’t know, but I hope so.” Anna couldn’t stop grinning through the meal.