Chapter 35 – Amelia
Two hours later, we’re whiskey-drunk and laughing. Rosa had very seriously explained to me why she felt ready to foster a child, and I’m slowly coming around to the idea. But we’ve moved on in our conversation, to talking about the crazy things that have been going on between Brent and me.
“No, I’m telling you, it was this amazing garden up on the roof of a skyscraper!” I say, peering at Rosa over the arm of the couch, which is now cleared of assorted coffee cup and folder detritus.
“You can’t have a garden on a skyscraper!” Rosa insists. “The point at the top is too small!”
“It’s not that kind of skyscraper!” I laugh and almost spill my drink. “There’s a big open flat roof at the top, and it’s filled with flowers! And the woman who owns it used to grow pot!” I pause reflectively, then add, “I think she probably still does.”
“That’s amaziiiing!” Rosa pours herself another drink. “Where’s he taking you next?!”
“Next?”
“Well, yeah! You’re definitely going to keep doing this, right?”
I can feel myself blushing, even deeper than the already ruddy color on my cheeks from the alcohol. “I mean, yeah, I think so. He didn’t say anything yet, but he also didn’t not say anything, so….”
“Oh, you so have the hots for him.”
“Rosa, no one has had ‘the hots’ for anyone since the 90’s. On the other hand, I do kinda want to bang his brains out and then cuddle and watch daytime TV afterwards, so…”
“Dude, you’ve gotta go for it!”
“I’m just not sure. I mean, we’re both fresh out of really serious relationships, and jumping right back into something - isn’t that exactly the opposite of what you told me to do?”
“Sweetie, I told you to let yourself have some fun for a change. I didn’t say never have feelings again. But also, I need to meet this guy. If he passes the smell test, then we’re in business.”
“First of all, do not smell my boyfriend, and secondly, what is this we business?” I try to be indignant, but it doesn’t quite work.
“Wait. Do you realize what you just said?!” Rosa sits up, glee written all over her face. “You called him your—”
“Oh no—”
“Boyfriend!”
“Crap.”
‘What’re you all worked up about? It’s not like it’s news to me. You’ve been thinking it for a week now. You ate cake with him, for crying out loud! You don’t gorge yourself on dessert with someone unless they matter to you!”
“I’m not sure how you figure that, but okay. And no, I don’t want you to tell me.”
“Aww, man!”
“Wait a second!” I say, a thought that had been lingering before having just re-occurred to me.
“What?” Rosa tries to sit up in her chair and fails.
“Who the hell is Morris?”
“He’s just this young college kid who moved in across the hall, and he always comes by looking for alcohol or weed late at night. He claims it helps him study.”
“Oh, okay. I thought maybe it was some kind of social worker here to inspect your place for the foster kid.”
“At midnight?” she laughs.
“Well, you know, to make sure you’re home, being responsible and all. Not out partying.”
“Oh come on,” she snorts. “Who’s the one hooking up with strangers in alleys?”
“That would be me,” I admit, raising my hand.
Rosa always knows how to call me out and put me in my place. That’s one of the many things I love about her.
“Seriously, though,” she says. “I really have changed. I want this next chapter in my life. I’m ready to take things to the next level and I would really appreciate your support.”
“Of course,” I say. “I’m sorry you didn’t automatically have it. I was just…caught off guard.”
“It was a pretty stunning revelation,” she says. “It’s not every day I announce I want to foster a child. But I guess both of us are full of stunning news lately.”
“Yeah,” I tell her, linking arms with her. I’m so glad we’re back to being best buddies. I sure need her, and I know she needs me too. “I’m happy for you. I really am, now that it’s had time to sink in. And I appreciate you being happy for me. Big changes are on the horizon for both of us.”