"Valerie!! What's up? What's going on wit-" she cut me off with a quick zip.
"Opal I need your confirmation and approval on something, it's the present. Did you like it?" She asked it like I had made a face when I had opened it.
"You kinda made a weirded-out face." OK I'm pretty sure that that was a coincidence, I told myself. I said politely to Valerie, " Hey let's go to Starbucks and figure it out. OK? Come on Val let's go get some coffee and breakfast sandwiches." All Valerie said was " Ummm, OK."
We got to Starbucks and got our usuals before sitting down to chat. As soon as we sat down Valerie blurted out, " You didn't like the present! You hated it! You had no respect for it!"
"First of all, I didn't hate it. And I only made that face because I saw nothing! Nothing Valerie! And what I saw on your face was a face of pleasure. Like you were happy to see me disappointed and sad. I thought you were playing a trick on me. I'm sorry if I looked like I didn't like or want your present OK?"
Valerie and I took a sip of our Pumpkin Spice lattes. At exactly the same time. Then unexpectedly, Valerie hopped out of her seat. She pushed her chair in, picked up her latte, and stormed out the door. I looked away for a moment then I was distracted from my depression and was surprised to see her pop her head back in the doorway and motion to me to come over. I half-tripped, half-fell, and half-walked to her side.
She pushed me outside and whispered something to me. She had told me (in our secret language), "Text me later OK? I just need some sleep. I'm to tired to socialize right now."
I nodded my head in agreement.
