Florecer

Permission

        Christina recovered rapidly over the course of a week thanks to the medicine she had been prescribed. June was more than relieved and extremely happy with the progress. Lily, having been around for a few hours every day for the whole week, was relieved as well. She enjoyed seeing Christina get out of bed a little more with every day that passed until eventually she was running around and bumping to legs. She thanked Lily for eating the dark.

     Come Monday when Christina was finally healthy enough to return to school, Lily spent the day working on her laptop. She had been free to do so between visits to June's because Tracy hadn't asked her to take care of Danny. It was not entirely strange but Lily felt a little lost. Tracy always asked for her to babysit or chauffeur or something. Whatever was the matter Lily thought it wasn't a huge deal. Tracy probably finally got the memo that she shouldn't work overtime every day.

     By the end of the week, Lily was used to not having to speed to Christina's side nor being called for something or other by Tracy. She got her work done, spend some quality time with herself, and relaxed her nerves about constantly being there for someone. It was who she was as a person but even those that serve others need time to heal.

     Friday night, feeling the need for human contact and something other than the sound of her droning television, Lily called June to see what was happening. They hadn't talked all that much since Christina's recovery but they were still on steady footing. So when June answered the call, Lily started with, "Hey. What's up?"

     June hummed. "Nothing. Why? What's up with you?"

     "Nothing, nothing."

     "So you're calling because...?"

     "Right. I was just, uh, I don't know. I feel like doing something today. What are you doing right now?"

     "Making dinner. Want to come over and join us?"

     "What are you making?"

     "Don't act like you're not going to come over if I say something gross. You were probably bored out of your mind. I bet I'm the first person you called."

     Lily grumbled. "You sound like Tracy."

     June laughed. There was a clanking sound on her end, then she said something away from the phone, to Christina. "So are you coming over or not?" she asked Lily after a minute. "There's dessert if you need a reason to pretend that you weren't hoping I'd invite you over."

     "Seriously, you sound just like Tracy. She has that same tone. You've been hanging around her too much."

     "Mhm. So?"

     "I'm coming over."

     "I'll set a place for you at the table. Don't bother knocking, either. The door's open. See you in a bit."

     Lily hung up then crawled off the couch and went on a hunt for socks and shoes. She had showered earlier in the day but she had been lying around doing nothing, so she combed out her hair and put on a coat of deodorant, and of course found a bra. When she was ready she left and headed straight for June's. Her stomach groaned with the want for something that wasn't delivery or take-out.

     She parked in June's driveway and went up to the front door, hesitating despite being told that it was open for her. It felt strange to simply walk into a house that wasn't hers or Tracy's. But she gathered her courage and opened the door, calling out to make sure she wasn't mistaken for a burglar or murderer. Immediately excited little footsteps came running, and Christina jumped into Lily's arms. Lily growled playfully and lifted the girl to have her settle on her hip. She locked the front door then went slowly to the living room.