Déja Vú

Weird Mornings

Leora

I woke up and sighed. It was 10 a.m.

I probably should consider asking Mr. Walker for more breaks—sleeping this well had been a rare luxury for months.

I stumbled into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and took a quick shower. Then I changed into gym clothes and hit my home gym for a quick workout. An hour later, I was pretty sure I'd burned off all the calories I'd piled on during my New York trip, so I headed for a proper bath.

I filled the tub with oils and my favorite bath bomb, letting myself sink into it until the water went lukewarm. Stepping out, I rinsed off, washed and conditioned my hair, towel-dried everything, moisturized, and oiled my hair.

I pulled on black shorts with a matching short-sleeved shirt over a white bra top, leaving the buttons casually undone. MacBook, iPad, phones in hand, I headed downstairs.

I wasn't in the mood for boring oatmeal today. Instead, I made myself shakshuka—poached eggs in a rich tomato sauce, sprinkled with feta and fresh parsley. I made a cup of strong tea to go with it. I sighed, taking a bite. Man, I miss Israeli food when I'm traveling... nothing like this anywhere else. Dishes cleared, I moved to the backyard and got to work on Kathani's wedding designs. Her big day was around the corner, and of course, she had insisted I design every outfit—from the ceremony to the after-party.

I was sketching her after-party dress when the phone rang, making me groan. One day of peace, and it was already gone.

"Speak of the devil," I muttered, seeing it was Kathani.

"Kathani, your engagement and wedding dresses are done and sent to the seamstress, and I'm finishing your after-party dress so everything's ready before next weekend," I sang into the phone, assuming that was why she was calling.

"What? That's not why I called," she replied.

Wait... what?

"But thank you so much! You're the best!" she squealed, and I had to put the phone down for a second.

"Okay, why did you call?" I asked, already sensing she was off-topic, rambling about rings and colors.

"Oh—are you home?" Her tone shifted suddenly, serious.

"Yes... why?" I asked, a little worried now.

"I'll be there in 20," she replied.

"Kathani, what's going on?" I asked, my unease growing.

"You'll see when I get there. Bye."

"Ka—" I started, but she hung up.

Bitch.

••••••••••••

"Tell me the point of having my key if you still make me open the door for you?" I asked as I let Kathani in.

"For when I need to hide, of course... and when I need clothes," she smirked.

I gasped. "And here I was, wondering why my closet always looked empty after your trips."

"You exaggerate."

"Do I?" I asked, and we laughed.

"Wine or juice?" I asked, heading to the kitchen while she made herself comfortable in the backyard.

"Wine," she replied.

"Give me that," I said, snatching my iPad out of her hands. All her wedding designs were on it.

"Let me see!" she whined.

"Nope."

"Please," she pouted, trying to guilt me.