Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

Two

'I'm going to Rhode Island,' Verde said pouring himself some more orange juice. 'Surprise, surprise.'

'You seem kind of bummed,' Esme replied. 'Are you sure you're going to go there?'

'Yeah,' Verde sighed. 'My parents went there and so did their parents and their parents. It's like the Gris family tradition going to Rhode Island. It's not like I have anything against the college, I like it, it's just that I was hoping I wouldn't get in.'

'How did you think that would happen?' Ecie asked staring at her oldest friend.

'I purposefully made my application the worst thing I could,' Verde replied. 'Obviously my plan didn't work.'

Esme and Ecie started laughing. 'Oh Verd.'

'What?' Verde shrugged. 'I thought it might work.'

'It's going to suck being so far away from you,' Esme said reaching for another bagel. 'I mean who am I supposed to laugh at Ecie with?'

'We were planning on you living with us in LA,' Ecie said. 'We'll have to find a new roommate.'

'We will?' Esme looked at her sister.

'You will?' Verde looked at Ecie too. 'Why?'

'I don't know,' Ecie shrugged. 'I just thought that we would.'

'So do you guys have any idea what you might get for graduation?' Verde asked. 'I think that I might be getting a new truck.'

'That's so cool,' Esme said. 'I don't think we're going to get anything for graduation.'

'What with our new apartment and all of my therapy and hospital bills,' Ecie continued. 'It'd be a little insensitive expecting a graduation present.'

'What are you going to do about therapy?' Verde asked.

'I'm going to keep having them,' Ecie replied. 'Carole has done such an amazing job; I just wouldn't feel comfortable ever leaving her. She is so amazing.'

'You're going to be driving back and forth from Santa Monica to LA?' Verde said. 'Why don't you just get another therapist?'

'Carole was literally born for me,' Ecie replied. 'I don't want a new one. I like Carole.'

Esme and Verde exchanged similar glances as Ecie looked down at her Chloé blouse and straightened it a little.