Page 61 of Solo

“Hmm?” she replies, applying lipstick in the small mirror behind the sun visor.

“I’d like to get my mom a nice winter coat, but I don’t know where to begin…”

“Foal and Fernham,” she says before I can even finish the question. She turns to look at me with her newly perfected pucker. “Beautiful outerwear that’s functional and fashionable. Unfortunately, the closest store is in Charlotte. But I’d be happy to go with you sometime. Are your folks finally coming out this way? Because you know I’d love to meet them,” she offers enthusiastically.

“Nothing for sure, but I’m working on it,” I mumble, making a mental note of the store with the ridiculous name. “Foal and Ferman?”

She giggles and rolls her eyes at me. “You men are all the same. Here, I’ll text it to you,” she says, already typing into her pink phone with her pink-nailed thumbs.

“Thanks, Tess.” I smile her way and consider when I can get away to Charlotte for the day, taking careful note of her coat so I don’t inadvertently purchase its twin.

…

Tuesday March 28th 11:15 a.m.

D: Hi

K: Hi

D: Where are you?

K: In Dr. Green’s Jazz History class.

D: Zzzzzzzzz

K. We just got our midterms back. I got an 89 :^(

D. Seems low for you.

K: I was sick last week. Or don’t you remember?

D: Ohhhhhh I remember. Where did you drop the points?

K: Hard Bop.

D: But not Bebop.

K. No.

D. How about swing?

K. Swing was fine.

D: So, just the Hard Bop.

K: Again, yes.

D: Hmm. I like my Bop hard, too. Maybe I can tutor you…?

K: Face-palm

D: WTF does that mean?

K: Go ask one of the cool kids.

D: You’re the only cool kid I know.

K: Aw sweet!