The two of them were sitting at a table in a small Mexican restaurant down the street from the library. It used to serve authentic Mexican food, but it had changed ownership about a year ago. Now, it sold 100% organic fusion dishes that tasted nowhere near as good as the old food. However, April and Lexi still came here after work sometimes to chat over dinner.
But for the past ten minutes, April had been so deep in thought that she barely heard a word Lexi said.
“I have a lot on my mind, that’s all,” April said. “It’s fine.”
“Are you sure?” Lexi asked. “You seem distracted lately. I know you’re taking everything with the library pretty hard, but is that all that’s going on?”
April looked down at her plate, avoiding her friend’s eyes. She and Lexi usually told each other everything, but she couldn’t possibly tell Lexi about what was going on between her and Vicki. Lexi had made her disdain for Vicki clear. Besides, April didn’t even understand what was going on between them herself. Just when she was beginning to make sense of their unusual relationship, Vicki would throw her another curve-ball.
You don’t hate me. You hate that I’m the only person who can give you what you crave.
“I think I know what’s bothering you,” Lexi said.
April’s heart skipped a beat. “You do?”
“It’s about Eliza, isn’t it?” Lexi said. “I heard that she’s moving away. I know the two of you are close.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
April hoped that Lexi hadn’t seen through her lie. And she really was upset about Eliza leaving too. She felt a twinge of guilt. She hadn’t spoken to Eliza since the day she had told April she was leaving. April needed to apologize to her for running off.
She sighed. “Between Eliza leaving, and the library, I feel like all the constants in my life are disappearing.”
“Well, there’s one thing you can be certain of,” Lexi said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
April smiled. “Thanks, Lex.” It was true. Even though Lexi could be flippant at times, she was always there when April really needed her. “Anyway, I can’t do anything about Eliza leaving, but I can do something about the library. I’ve decided it’s time we took matters into our own hands.”
“Sounds like you have a plan,” Lexi said.
“I don’t have one yet, but I’m working on it. My meeting with Vicki made it clear that we’re not going to get anywhere with Oasis.” April scrunched up her napkin in her fist. “I can’t stand that woman.”
“I know,” Lexi replied. “You’ve said that ten times today.”
“She just drives me crazy! And she thinks she knows everything—”
“Can we please stop talking about Vicki fucking Blake? I’m sick of hearing her name.”
“Sorry,” April said sheepishly. “I have been talking about her a lot.”
“Anyway,” Lexi said. “When you come up with a plan for the library, let me know, and I’ll do what I can.”
“Sure. I’m going to need all the help I can get.”
Lexi pushed her empty plate away. “I should head home. I have to go get ready for my date.”
“The girl from The Sapphire Room?” April asked.
“A girl from The Sapphire Room. Not the same one as before.”
April shook her head. “Of course not.”
They paid the bill and went their separate ways. Instead of going home, April headed to Eliza’s. As she enjoyed the cool night air, she made a note to ask Eliza if she had any ideas about how to save the library.
But first, she needed to apologize.
April reached Eliza’s house and knocked on the door.
Eliza answered with a smile and invited her in. “I’m about to make some tea, want some?”