Florecer

One More Time

        Lily went back to her place after breakfast had been eaten and June had taken Christina home. She didn't want to jinx her good fortune of Tracy not interrogating her. Besides, when she shared the news that she would be hanging out with June again, she didn't want to be face to face with Tracy, who would surely give annoying expressions and inappropriate jokes. She did need to tell Tracy soon, though, so that Tracy could be sure to be home Friday night to watch Danny. Lily was all too happy to babysit the boy but she already made plans. Anyway, Tracy was getting too comfortable with Lily's availability, Lily thought. Which was fine, but Lily did have her own life. The recent excessive family time was an accident. Lily didn't want Tracy or Danny to think that it would be a long-term thing.

     To pass the time and put off telling Tracy about her weekend plans, Lily got to work, spitting out web ideas and communicating with her clients on what they desired. It went well, she thought, as she made significant progress and even completed a few things she had wanted to. She figured if she cleaned up her emails and succeeded in getting her current clients satisfied she could have the whole weekend free without having to worry about deadlines.

     When the middle of the week came and went, Lily thought about calling Tracy, but got a call from Tracy first. She answered, guessing how the conversation would go. "What's up?"

     Tracy hummed. "Want to come hang out with Danny this weekend?"

     Lily licked her top teeth. "I can't."

     "Come on, you- wait. You can't? You're not saying no? But you can't?" Tracy paused for a second. "Why not?"

     "I have plans for Friday."

     "What plans? Since when?"

     "It doesn't matter. I have plans so I can't watch Danny."

     "Fine," Tracy huffed. "I guess I'll call June."

     "She can't watch Danny either." Lily shut her eyes. She rubbed her forehead, listening to the interested noise that came through her phone. "She's who I have plans with, okay? You'll just have to watch Danny yourself. Sorry."

     "Oh, please. So, what, do you two plan on having a sleep over again? Should I be watching Christina, too?"

     "No. June has a babysitter already."

     "Oh," Tracy mocked, "June has a babysitter already. Why are you going out with her again? Do you like her? You do like her."

     Lily groaned. "Sure, she's great. But she's your friend. I'm just repaying her. She paid for yours and the kids' breakfast."

     "Mhm. Sure." Tracy smacked her lips. "If you like her, it's okay. She likes girls. You have a chance."

     Lily perked up. "How do you know that?"

     Tracy snorted. "Because I'm her best friend. Of course I know about it. What, you didn't know?"

     "No, obviously. Not until yesterday. She told me."

     "You never suspected before that? Not at all?"

     "Why would I?"

     Tracy groaned heavily. "You're such an idiot, I swear. Whatever. I'll be fine watching Danny. Have fun, and pay attention from now on."

     Lily was ready to ask just what exactly that meant, but Tracy hung up before Lily could get a word out. She huffed and shook her head. Tracy was always at the head of things but she never revealed what she knew. It was annoying.