Lethe Vita

Chapter 5

She needed a cat.

That wasn't entirely true, but a cat would provide companionship. A cat could keep to itself on the days her work stretched into the late hours.

Days that had become frequent.

No, she corrected, what she needed more than anything else was a champagne flute, filled to the brim with wine. Lingonberry wine, her new favorite.

She popped her lunch leftovers into the microwave and uncorked the bottle.

That hit the spot.

She pulled her laptop out of its case, swung her folded legs beside her, and began checking her numerous emails.

In her career of choice, the work never stopped.

Come in, Clare. Hey, Clare! You there? asked theresasunineverycloud.

Spotting the instant message from her old roommate, Clare Arnold set down her wine and poised her fingers over the keys.

Donna! she replied from yeahitsclaredontstare. Hey, girl. Been a while.

Tell me about it, typed Donna Martin. So sorry. I've meant to chat more, but life's been crazy. What's the last thing we talked about?

Your cousin, I think, said Clare. Gina? Is that her name?

Gina. Right. I told you she moved in?

You did, and also that Brandon and Val left. Still can't believe Brandon and Kel called off their wedding.

It was a shock for sure. Gina's actually the biggest reason I'm messaging.

She is?

She's been trying to flirt with David.

And you're jealous?

No, Gina doesn't stand a chance with David. But it's not about that. I noticed how unresponsive he's been to her and to all of us. Clare, he's down in the dumpiest of dumps. Kel and I are starting to worry about him. So are Mel and Jackie. We thought it might be nice for him to get away for a bit, maybe go visit you in Paris. He needs a break from his radio show. He's depressing all of his listeners. He got yelled at by his producer and I think he's thisclose to losing the show, which will depress him even more.

What do Brandon and Steve say? Clare sent.

Steve went off with Dylan to parts unknown. Brandon's practically off the grid.

Parts unknown? Dylan? He's back?

Well, he was.

How did Kel handle it?

You know Kelly's my best friend, the sister I never had.

I sense a 'but' in there.

But. Between you and me?

Whatever you tell me stays in this IM.

Then badly. Kel handled it horribly. Dylan lied to her about when he left Bren and then when David and I told the gang that something had happened to Bren, Kel was a total bitch about it. Worse than a bitch. A mega bitch. It's like just hearing Bren's name in relation to Dylan sets her off. I don't get it. Kel keeps saying she loves Matt, but I don't think she does. Except, I don't think she wants Dylan, either. Honestly, I think she misses Brandon and is afraid of being alone. But I'm one to talk.

Clare paused in a second readthrough, her glossed lips forming an open cavern.

Hold on. What? Something happened to Brenda? Was Brandon with her? Is he okay?