Closer Read Free

never truly know. They roomed together in college, and Bethany landed a job in the same building as Emma. What were the odds? Emma’s dad knew how brilliant Bethany was, and Emma suspected he was able to get Bethany a job as well. They were not allowed to discuss their work with anyone, let alone each other. Her former roommate was a bit of a gossip and a busybody and was always trying to get information out of Emma. Emma was a strong one though, always effectively changing the subject with each attempt Bethany made.
    It had been over a week since they had any girl time. Emma was long overdue for some much needed distractions, and Bethany was always good for some fun. Emma could clear her mind and come back with a fresh perspective.
    “Sure,” Emma replied. “Let me grab my coat.”
    It was bitterly cold in Lewiston, Maine this time of the year. Thankfully, the holidays were over. Now was the long wait for spring. Somewhere in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania a groundhog named “Punxsutawney Phil” had seen his shadow, which meant six more weeks of winter. While Emma loved the snow, she was growing tired of the cold weather. If only she wasn’t working under a deadline, she would take a vacation to the glow and hospitality of Cancun. She would invite Bethany and Ashley and make it a girls’ get-a-way. They could sit on the beach, or better yet, the pool side bar and drink their cares away. What a nice dream. She had three weeks left before she had to submit a fully functioning Hummingbird. Perhaps after her deadline, she would take her much deserved getaway. She would make plans today, while at lunch with Bethany. She knew, without asking, that Ashley would be game for a trip.
    Emma and Bethany took the stairs down four flights. Emma tried to take the stairs as much as possible. Over the last two years, she had put on an extra twenty pounds. She wasn’t obese, but she was overweight. Standing at five foot eight, her weight had been holding steady at one hundred sixty pounds. She desperately wanted to lose those extra pounds and get back to her pre-stress weight. She did not, however, have time to exercise. That was her excuse. The truth was that by the time Emma got home from her extra-long days at the office, all she wanted to do was to curl up with the latest romance novel and dream her night away. If she couldn’t find a real romance, she certainly could find one in her dreams. She was good at escaping into her fictional characters’ worlds. She loved the intensity and dalliance she found in her book boyfriends. They always treated her right and most importantly, mentally stimulated her. That was the reason she quit dating before she had been awarded this project. She would find a guy who was mentally stimulating, but did nothing for her in the chemistry department. Or, she would find someone she was chemically attracted to, but he could not stimulate her mind. So, she devoted herself to her work; everything else would just have to wait.
    Reaching the bottom of the stairs, they turned right to the security desk. “Hi Paul. I need my belongings. I’m headed out,” she said to the security officer. He handed her purse and cell phone to her. She shoved her cell phone into her purse and pushed open the door. Stepping outside, the cold air smacked her in the face. She was so ready for spring. Tightening her coat around her, she crossed her arms in front of her body, and tucked her hands under her arms. She walked, head down, to the Corner Stone Deli in comfortable silence with Bethany.
    They reached the Deli and placed their order. Emma behaved and ordered a turkey and veggie sandwich minus the bag of chips with a water to drink. Bethany, God love her, had the metabolism of an eighteen year old. She could eat whatever her heart desired and not gain a pound. She had the perfect figure; one the guys couldn’t get enough of. Where Bethany had long blond hair that curled loosely over her shoulders, Emma had wavy, dark