Page 117 of Any Port in a Storm

Sliding into our familiar repartee is so comforting; a balm against recent events I didn’t even know I needed. “I’m relieved to know it’s not just me.”

“No way. So, what’s new with you?”

I take a deep breath. “I’m having some trouble, actually. And I thought maybe you’d be able to help.”

Ivy sits up in her chair, and I can tell her caregiver mindset is already whirring into place. “Talk to me.”

“So, Nick’s grandfather died. Of Covid.”

Her jaw drops. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry. I know we’ve never met, but tell him I said I’m sorry.”

“I will. Thank you. He’s having a really tough time with it. He was actually supposed to go home to celebrate his grandfather’s 90th, right around the time this all started. So I think it’s causing extra grief for him, because he’s stuck here. They can’t even have a real funeral.”

When she doesn’t answer right away, I can tell she’s thinking about our grandparents. “That’s horrible,” she says at last. “Funerals are the worst, but at least they provide closure.”

“Exactly.”

“How are you doing with it all?”

“I mean, I’ve been better.” I sigh. “Actually, there’s more.”

“Oh?” She shields her eyes against the setting sun.

“Yeah. Um. Before that happened, Nick and I…well, we kind of rekindled our relationship.”

Her grin is positively maniacal. “I knew it.”

“You knew what?”

“I knew that was going to happen! One, you talked about him like a woman obsessed.”

“I did not!” I protest.

“You so did. And anyway,” she continues, barreling over me when I try to argue further, “I think that’s the only natural outcome with a forced proximity scenario.”

“Do you think that means it’s a product of the situation, rather than our feelings?” I’ll admit that idea has crossed my mind a few times.

“No, of course not,” she quickly corrects. “I just mean, given the history the two of you have, it would seem very difficult to avoid a…what did you call it?”

I snicker. “A rekindling.”

“Yeah. That.”

“So on top of that,” I continue, “there’s actually more.”

“Damn, girl! What else?”

“Um. Nick overheard me telling my parents that we’re not together.”

She furrows her brow. “Are you not together?”

“No, not officially. I mean, we hooked up, and we said we were going to talk, and then everything happened with his grandfather, and there’s my jobs, and…”

“Jobs?”

“Oh. Yeah, that’s the last bit. I have a couple of interviews lined up. One of the jobs is totally outside my field, but it sounds pretty cool. It’s at a literature museum, actually.”

“Ooh!” Ivy’s voice rises. “That does sound like it would be right up your alley.”