*six months later*
Fleabag steps outside, shutting the backdoor and silencing the noise of the immensely busy cafe. She sighs deeply as she closes her eyes, not seeming to be thinking about anything in particular, just sitting in her emotions. After a while she pulls a cigarette out and quickly lights it, taking a hit. She wished more than anything to be back at her new apartment with or without the company if a man. She was grateful for her newfound success, of course. She had even been able to hire a few staff members to keep things up and running when she needed some personal time. She was doing better than before, but something was still missing. She just felt utterly empty and sometimes being around so many happy people at once felt like it was draining every bit of life out of her.
Fleabag's eyes land on us.
"Missed me did ya?" She fakes a smile, but it quickly fades and she looks into the distance.
"Fuck me." She groans under her breathe as she throws her cigarette down, heading back inside to finish her shift.
Back at her apartment after what felt like an eternity, Fleabag lays in her bed scrolling through potential hook-ups in her contacts. The room is much bigger than the one we're used to seeing her in. She turns to face us.
"You know that feeling when you're so fucking miserable that you just want to be alone," she pauses, "but you're also really horny?" A smirk forms on her mouth she and goes back to scrolling.
A text pops up.
"From Claire: Coming home soon, can't wait to see you!"
She looks to us as her mischievous grin shifts into and excited expression.
"Claire and Klare moved to Finland and got engaged." She informs us. "Apparently he's disgustingly supportive." Her attention shifts to the bedside table where we see a Bible with several sticky notes coming out of the sides. She doesn't acknowledge the book or us before she turns over and drifts into sleep.
The Cafe is already full of overly loud customers when Fleabag makes her way inside, dodging two very friendly old ladies trying to talk to her about Hilary.
"Fucking Wednesdays." She groans to us, gesturing to the 'Chatty Wednesday' sign. She grabs her apron off the hook and ties it around her waist, beginning to make sandwiches, she hears the bell on the door jingle and turns to see Claire and Klare. Fleabag immediately emerges from behind the counter with a surprised look on her face and approaches the two.
"Claire!" She exclaims, throwing her arms around her sister, who still went a bit stiff at the action.
"We're working on it." Fleabag says to us, shrugging.
"Klare!" She yells again, this time directed at her sister's fiancé.
The three of them make there way back outside to avoid the unwanted attention of talkative customers.
"Things seem to be going really well!" Claire observed.
Fleabag looks to us, "Meaning I haven't caused a scene in a while." Her attention shifts back to the table.
She sits across from the happy couple as Claire turns her focus to the staff member at the register.
She raises an eyebrow to her sister. "I see you found some use for...tooth man."
The two share a laugh and spend the next hour or so catching up. They made plans to see their father in the next couple of days to which Fleabag sarcastically said "That'll be a nice change of scenery." Claire had given her a disappointed look, but moved on nevertheless.
Fleabag hadn't seen her father or stepmother in quite some time. It wasn't because she was angry or because her stepmother is a cunt. It was because she simply couldn't handle anymore unspoken emotions and awkward tension at this point. It was all too much for what she already had going on inside.
"I'll make it fun." She assures us with a wide smile.
Keys rattle before the door to Fleabags apartment opens and she walks in, kicking off her heels. She lingers in the doorway for a while, staring at the floor before shutting the door behind her. The hum of the refrigerator rings in her ears as she slowly makes her way into the large kitchen. As she walks past the trash can, we can see several empty liquor bottles. She grabs a full one out of the cabinet and doesn't even bother with a glass before turning it up and taking a few big gulps. She wipes her mouth with the back of her arm and heads for her bedroom. Her attention immediately settles on her nightstand. She picks up the Bible and turns to the very last page which has a short note written on it.
"God puts people in our lives to teach us things. Thank you for teaching me. I love you."
Fleabag stares at the book for a long while running her fingers along the spine. Eventually, she turns around and walks back into the kitchen. She walks slowly past the island and back over to the liquor bottle, looking more upset now. She picks up the bottle and turns it up once again, this time basically chugging it. She begins to breath heavier and her eyes well up with tears as she looks back at the book. Her arm reels back and she flings the Bible clear across the room. Her eyes close and she slides down the refrigerator sitting in the floor with her head in her hands. She doesn't look at us, but says with a shaky voice,
"Welcome back."
