Laurin’s Office
“Are we running in the morning?” The comforting deep voice helped Ari find some modicum of calm.
“Yes we are, Sir lazy bones.” Ari said.
“I am not lazy. I am energy-cautious. How was it?” Sol said.
“The same as always. I’m a failure and she should have locked me in the dungeon when she had the chance.”
“Oh, so it went great!” Sol joked.
“Precisely. Also, guess where I’m headed?” Ari approached her 750i in the muted light of the parking garage.
“To burn down the dungeon. You know? In case she gets any ideas?”
“Oh, excellent forward-thinking. Let me add that to my to-do list. No, at the moment, I’m headed to Edwards & Associates.”
“Fantastic, I’d rather see that burn down before the dungeon anyway. Now, why in all hell would you be going there?” Sol asked.
“Because the Senator needs a package dropped off and I’m apparently the only messenger on duty.”
“Atari.” Sol’s seriousness permeated his calm. “Are you ready for that? How long has it been since you’ve seen her?”
“Ready? Would I ever be ready, Sol? I spent so much time trying to forget,” Ari sat at the wheel for a second. “I don’t think I have seen her since I met Harp.” She could hear Sol trying to find his words. She saved him the energy. “I’ll be fine. But, if you so happen to hear the building was set ablaze, bring food and clothes to the dungeon.” They laughed. Ari felt lighter listening to Sol crack up. She held the phone a bit tighter, pinching her own silence. Sol choked on his laughter then took a deep breath, exhaling leftover giggles.
“You done?”
“What?” She could hear the shoulder shrug in his voice. “Your impending imprisonment is hilarious.”
“I will see you in the morning, Sir Horrible.” There was more laughter coming from Sol’s end of the call. Ari squinted at the phone.
“Ok, ok, ok. Later, Atari.”
Out of the lion’s den, into the fire
Ari smiled, pressing start, listening to the engine come alive. The drive to Edwards & Associates wasn’t long enough to offer much time to reflect. Ari pulled into an open space in the visitor’s lot. She definitely had never expected to be headed into Laurin’s office. With any luck, she hoped, she could just leave the package at the front desk.
“I’d like to drop this off for Laurin Edwards, please.”
The receptionist looked up startled. She took in the medium brown complexion, tall slender frame, and slight awkwardness behind the familiar voice with a smile.
“Hey, Ari! We haven’t seen you around these parts since the slab went down.” The perky receptionist extended a hand.
The faint southern drawl peeked through the receptionist’s accent reminding Ari of Harper. The thought relaxed her anxiety a bit. She shook the offered hand and returned a polite smile.
“I see you guys moved on up.” She looked around taking in all the memories, she’d prefer to avoid.
“We sure did,” the receptionist chuckled. “What can I do for you?”
“I just want to leave this for Laurin. It’s from my mother.”
“How is the Senator doing?”
“She’s fabulous. As is her daughter, I see.” A voice behind Ari’s ear spoke coolly.
Ari felt a bubble inside her throat pop leaving a dryness she instantly resented.
“How are you, Arica?” Laurin asked. Ari cringed.
“I’m fine.” She answered matter-of-factly, turning to meet the eyes behind her. “Here is your package.” Ari took in the smooth dark skin, the curves accentuated by a cream-colored sheath dress, and a condescending smirk sealed by lips she had sworn to hate.
Laurin took the folder from Ari refusing to break her scrutinizing gaze. “Thank you,” she offered simpering mildly.
“I’ll let my mother know you have it, seeming as though, it was so important that I be the one to deliver it.”
Laurin took Ari’s hand, “Come with me.”
Ari resisted but found herself quickly behind the closing doors of a well-designed, well-spaced office complete with walnut hardwood desk and lighted book units masking the walls. The light from the double hung windows lining the back of the office, behind the desk, casts shadows throughout the space. She glowered at the books stretched from wall to wall. There were more books on the business of law than actual law books. Artwork lined the wall on the far side of the room. The rug under her feet was too soft and plush to be real. She could feel herself sinking into it like quicksand.
Ari moved from the back of the office guardedly unhurried. She could feel Laurin’s eyes watching her. She made it to the center of the massive wall unit and stopped. A picture of Laurin’s mother accentuated by an LED crystalline system meant to look like a single lit candle sat before her. There was no room for angst in the face of Mrs. Lynn. Ari acknowledged the residue of a different kind of loss. There was a budding grief that she couldn’t allow to flourish. She continued to take in the aesthetic, making note of all the art, business books, legal briefs, pads, files, gadgets and fancy furniture, but as Ari made her way to Laurin’s desk, she understood the picture was, by far, the most honest thing in the room.
Ari turned to meet the half grin Laurin wore across her face. She could feel how much Laurin was enjoying watching her and felt herself losing the battle to contain her fury.
“I’m not here on a social call, Laurin. I’m not sure what you did to convince my mother that I needed to be the one to bring you that folder, but now you have it. My job here is done.”
“I’m aware of that, Arica.”
“You know how I feel about that.”
“Well only your friends call you Ari, correct? Are we friends?”
Ari sighed.
“I’m really not in the mood for games. You have your folder. Enjoy your day.” Ari moved toward the front of the office, in the direction of the door, but Laurin grabbed her hand and dragged her, reluctantly, back over to the desk.
“Here is my donation to the center. I couldn’t make the banquet this year but I still wanted to contribute. Would you mind taking it in with you?”
“I’m not sure when I clocked in as the errand girl today but…”
“I know that you volunteer there and I just thought you wouldn’t mind. I know you are not an errand girl. As well, I appreciate you dropping this off from your mother. I know your time is valuable and I would not want to waste it.”
Ari’s fury intensified. The Laurin Edwards she had loved once was manipulative, corrosive, and motivated by appearances. She wondered how their relationship had ever lasted almost two years.
“Laurin,” Ari took the envelope from Laurin’s hand, “I’m sure the center will appreciate your donation. However, I do not appreciate your motives.”
“What motives, Arica?”
Ari winced. She threw her shoulders back trying to regain the composure she felt slipping away. She slid the envelope in her back pocket, swallowing the rant fighting its way out. Her phone rang demanding her focus. She rummaged in her side pocket for her cell, pulling out her keys and placing them on Laurin’s desk finally getting to the chiming device.
“Hello.” Ari answered exasperated as she turned her back to Laurin.
“How was lunch, Zero?” Harper was bright and pleasant on the opposite end of the line. Ari felt her shoulders contract and her tension ease slightly. She focused on the sound of Harper’s voice and kept her eye on the door.
“You wouldn’t believe, Jade.”
“What happened?”
“I can’t really talk right now. I’ll see you at home later.”
“Oh, ok. Is everything alright?”
“It is now. I’ll explain later.”
“Cool beans. One thing, though, I had a voicemail from Catherine about confirming reservations for next week. You got a hot date and forgot to tell me?”
“I absolutely have a hot date, lady. Catherine is the hostess at Gregorrio’s. I gave your number in case they called while I was in class. Just call her back and confirm Tuesday night, seven o’clock.”
“Will do. I love you. Breathe easy.”
“Easy breathing. Love you too.” As soon as Ari pressed end, she felt the chill of judging eyes or, possibly, just jealous ones. She turned to see Laurin spinning Ari’s keys on her index finger.
“Love? How cute.”
“Hand over my keys, please.” Ari demanded.
“Still with the lawyer, I see.”
“Yes, I am. How about you? Where’s your lawyer?”
Laurin stood, making her way around the desk. She opened Ari’s hand and lightly pressed the keys against Ari’s palm. “I do appreciate you bringing the folder by and taking in my donation. Please let James know if he needs anything for the center he shouldn’t hesitate to ask.”
“I will be sure to advise him. Good day.” Ari made a break for the door. She was inches away from the knob when Laurin tapped on her shoulder.
Ari swung around. “Yes?”
Laurin brushed her face, sweeping a hair from above her eye, “I miss you.”
“The feeling isn’t mutual.” Seething, Ari bit her lip to hold in her rage.
“Something tells me that isn’t exactly true.”
Ari made no attempts to linger behind the words. She made her way back to her vehicle, falling inside.
“What in the hell does she mean she misses me? Vindictive bi—Ugh!” Ari hit the steering wheel. She examined her hands, rolling over each line as if they could tell her why she felt so angry? It had been years since she and Laurin had broken up.
“What break up?” She said aloud.
Ari fumbled around searching for her keys, taking them one by one, looking for any remnants of Laurin’s handling. She scrutinized them flipping between the key to her dad’s place, the key to Sol’s, the key to her post office box, then she saw it: the key to Laurin’s loft.
“Something tells me…” The words echoed. Ari had forgotten she still had Laurin’s key. Laurin couldn’t possibly think having it meant anything. Ari dismissed the notion, dropping the keys in the center console. She pressed the start button, peeking at her hands holding the bottom of the wheel, thinking. So much time had passed since she’d found out the truth but the fact remained at one point, Laurin had been her best friend—her only friend, really. But, that had been a long time ago.
Ari shooed away the thoughts. Harper was her now. The package had been delivered as demanded and she was free once again.