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Larissa has been a support in this office from the start, and I feel like an asshole for not giving her any more of my companionship than was necessary. These past months were a slow start to making amends, and maybe it can continue.
I throw my hands out in resignation. “How about we go celebrate tonight then? Drinks on me.”
She gasps. “Absolutely.”
Larissa and I leave work early enough for once and meet at the restaurant shortly after.
“Oh, The Ivy,” she says. “This place is fun.”
“My cousin works here. I come here sometimes,” I explain, and then I realize I sound too indifferent when in fact, “I like it here, too.”
The bar is busy for happy hour, and T and Gavin are working together again.
“Hey, what are you doing here on a weekday?” Delfina is here, too. We find unoccupied stools next to her and squeeze in.
“This is Larissa, my paralegal,” I say to the group, and she waves. “These are my cousins Agostina and Delfina.”
Manny walks by and kisses my cheek in greeting. And then, because it’s as a good a time as any, I blurt out, “We just quit.”
The four of them stare at me, speechless.
“And so, we would love some drinks.”
They don’t move.
“Larissa, what would you like?” I ask.
“Oh!” She sits up straight. “Well, maybe just a glass of red?”
“Great. A glass of red. And I’ll do my usual.”
“I’m sorry. Did you say you quit?” T asks, wide eyed.
“Yes. Mmhmm. We did.” It shockingly doesn’t feel as nerve wracking to tell them this. Well, it may be a little stressful, but not like I imagined.
“Like,your job?” Delfi asks, stunned.
“Yes, our terrible job!” Larissa chimes in with a joyous voice.
Suddenly T, Manny, and Delfi break out in celebration, dancing and shrieking in place, shouting out all sorts of well-wishes and congratulations, while Gavin gives me a high-five.
“Julieta. I am so proud of you,” T says with a big smile on her face.
“One step at a time,” I sigh.
“Does the next step involve dancing?” Manny boldly asks.
“Seriously?” I look at T. “Does everybody in here know?”
“There’s no guilt like Hispanic mom guilt,” Manny mutters, shaking his head.
“That’s the truth,” T agrees.
Gavin shrugs. “I can’t relate.”
“Nobody asked you,” she retorts, with a scowl.
“This is so great, Julie,” Delfi adds, squeezing my arm.
