Written in 41 minutes. Stopped a little early today  — I’m just so tired. See you tomorrow or Saturday!

Thursday, October 25, 2000

Chloe Morgan Designs: Offices

Emily popped the top from her salad container and slid it beneath the black plastic container. “I don’t like what being adults has turned us into,” she told Elizabeth. “We used to see each other every day.”

“Because you ate at the diner where I worked.” Elizabeth flicked through her notes, occasionally popping a grape in her mouth. “We have actual responsibilities now.”

“Right. Adults. I don’t like it.” Emily scooted her fork around the salad, compiling the perfect combination of spinach, tomato, onion, and carrot. “How’s this going? You still like it?”

Elizabeth scribbled a note beneath the itinerary. “I think so. I spent most of last night memorizing time zones because I’m making travel arrangements for next month—well, I’m planning them. Lottie’s going to approve them. Chloe’s going to Tokyo for some fabric thing—did you know it’s thirteen hours ahead of us?”

“It’s kind of like time travel, don’t you think?” Emily mused. “You get on a plane to London, it takes like eight hours, but it’s only like four hours later. Like you go back in time. Or forward. It’s a shame I couldn’t use that to get more time on homework.” She leaned over the desk, trying to read Elizabeth’s notes upside down. “Is it helping you with yours?”

“It’s not homework—” Elizabeth made a face. “Well, maybe it is. It’s my trial run — booking the flight, the hotel, transportation. I had to do it for a Paris trip, too. I should have paid more attention in high school. You wanna go with me to the mall after work? I think I need to get some language books. French and Italian to start with.”

“I never pass up a mall trip.” Emily speared a tomato. “Have you, uh, heard from anyone since Monday?”

“Other than Jason on Tuesday, no. And—” Elizabeth twirled her pen, considering her next words. “Lucky was waiting for me when I got home on Monday. We had another fight. You?”

“Nikolas is avoiding me. Was it a new fight or more of the same? I mean, you’re okay, right?” Emily furrowed her brows. “You’d tell me if it was a bad one?”

“Just words.” Elizabeth back in her chair. “Before—um, before you know, Valentine’s Day. Did you think I was selfish?”

Emily lifted her brows. “Is that a serious question? Or something Lucky said?”

“Both. I guess. And it’s not just Lucky. I—my parents used to say it to me,” she admitted. “And Sarah used to say it. Maybe it’s…” She bit her lip. “Maybe it’s why I was so upset. My family thinking it was one thing — and maybe I knew Lucky wasn’t my biggest fan. I guess I never let myself think about it. Most of the time I don’t even let myself think about before, but I’m trying to wrap my head around it. Lucky was irritated by me before. And then after, he was my best friend. My rock. He never looked at me twice until it happened.”

“I think,” Emily said carefully, “that you and I didn’t know each other well enough to have fully, fleshed out opinions. And other than my first day back at school, we didn’t run into each other much. I don’t know that I would have called you selfish,” she added. “But opportunistic.” She winced. “Does that sound harsh? I don’t mean it to—”

“No. It’s—it’s not that far off. I mean, I only helped you because I thought it would impress Lucky. Not that it did any good.” Elizabeth sighed, pushed aside her notes and reached for her lunch. “I’ve just been thinking about it lately. About when I moved here. And why I stayed. I could have gone to London that summer with Sarah, you know? And my  dad did say maybe I could finish high school there. I stayed to be with Gram, but also…I stayed to be with Lucky.”

“Do you regret it now?” Emily tipped her head to the side. “Do you wish you’d gone?”

“No. Maybe. I don’t know. I’m glad you and I became friends, and that I got to know Jason,” Elizabeth added. “I guess it doesn’t matter. I didn’t go. But I guess — I almost didn’t take this job because of Lucky, too. I never  thought I’d be that girl, you know? I made my entire life about Lucky, and when he was gone, I was so lost. I wouldn’t have been if I’d had plans outside of him. If art school had been about me, and not us maybe I’d have gone to New York.”

“I get that. I mean, I was going to run away to be with Juan, remember?” Emily wrinkled her nose. “Talk about making dumbass choices to be with a boy. And you did take this job. It was the right choice, Liz. I know it sucks how things worked out with Lucky. Believe me, I was one of the people telling you to keep the faith, right? That you and Lucky were meant to be. I never thought he’d be like this. But it sort of tracks. You know? He makes pictures of people in his head, and when they don’t act the way he thinks they should, he cuts them out. He did to to his mom over Nikolas, and his dad. And now he’s doing it to you because he thinks you should give up everything, stay at Kelly’s forever so he has someone to eat fries with.”  She pointed her fork at Elizabeth. “Don’t let whatever he said the other night screw with your head.”

“Trying not to. But it might not matter if I can’t get my passport. I still haven’t heard from Steven or my parents. And I was on hold with the people in Colorado for like an hour this morning — they can’t find me with my middle name either. But Sarah? They found. No problem.”

“Steven still hasn’t called you back? What a jerk.” Emily dropped her fork. “It’s been a week. You told him how important it was, right?”

“I did. I don’t know what else to do. I was thinking maybe I could just start calling storage places. My parents might have got one when they closed up the house.  But would they even release that information?”

“No. No, you’re not going to waste even one more minute on that phone. Or waiting for someone to call you back.” Emily rummaged in her purse, pulled out a wallet. “Let’s put your new travel skills to rest. Here’s my credit card. Get us a flight to Memphis tomorrow.” She held it out but Elizabeth just stared at her. “I’m serious. Book us a hotel and transportation and everything. We’re gonna show up at your brother’s door and force him to talk to you. And if that doesn’t work, I’m gonna get Grandfather to call Washington—”

“Emily—”

“You ran around all summer trying to save me, the least I can do is get you this passport. And you know what, I’m gonna get Grandfather on it anyway. He’s been bored. But we’re going to Memphis so you can tell your brother what a jerk he is.” Emily waved the credit card again. “Take it and start booking. You know Chloe would let you go in a heartbeat to get this done.”

“Where is Chloe letting you go?” said the woman in question, emerging from her office. She saw Emily, smiled brightly. “Hey, sweetie. How are the classes?”

“A lot of reading, and Elizabeth and I are going to Memphis to track down her brother to get her birth certificate dealt with,” Emily told her. “He won’t call her back.”

“Are you still having trouble getting a valid copy?” Chloe asked, a slight scowl pulling at her features. “That doesn’t seem right. What do your parents say?”

“I…can’t get them on the phone either. They’re with Doctors Without Borders, and I think they’re there somewhere in Eastern Europe. I’ve left messages with their contact, but nothing yet. Chloe—”

“Go to Memphis. And Emily, we should think about getting Edward on this, don’t you think? He’s always looking for a good reason to complain to his senators. Especially with the election coming up.”

“I don’t want to bother anyone,” Elizabeth started to say, but Emily cut her off.

“It’s not a bother. We’ll stay over on Saturday, and do something fun. Maybe go to Graceland. You’ll see. We’ll get this all fixed this weekend. Book a flight for after my last class, I’m done at eleven.” She held out the credit card again. “Let me do this for you, Liz. It’s my turn to back you up.”

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