Captivated

Chapter Six

I could hear a quick light knock on the door followed by a key being turned in the lock before I heard my name being called. Lacey’s voice echoing down the hallway in a sing-song hello as I heard her close the door and make her way into my place. Lacey has her own key and she frequently lets herself into my apartment, it’s like second nature for her. I sighed and moved from my place on the bed setting aside the manuscript that I’ve been working on fervently since yesterday after sleeping through a majority of the day. I can honestly say that when I fall behind on my professional work I tend to get slightly agitated, moody even; I don’t like sleeping in very much and I definitely don’t enjoy not going to work. After I called Lacey back she told me to stay and work from home for the day, it is Friday after all she had said as if that was a good reason to stay home. I headed down the hall into the kitchen where she was actively making herself at home; again.  

“I brought food” she said with a wide smile as she moved about putting the things she had brought away and setting the take out onto the counter. I couldn’t help but smile, Lacey and I loved this little restaurant down town called Papaya’s where they make the best Chinese food. It’s a small family run business, similar to Miranda’s and all the other stores along the strip. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to turn Papaya’s down” she winked and placed two plates down onto the island.

“I never could, their chicken fried rice is unbelievable” I said, slowly emptying the contents of the bag so that we could get at the options she brought. I opened the fried rice pilling a large amount onto my plate followed by chicken balls, sweet and sour sauce, some spare ribs and some low-mein.

“What have you done all day?”

“I was working on that new manuscript; I’m actually pleased with the way her writing is, it has come a long way since when she came to us with her first manuscript” I said filling my face with the rice as a small moan of pleasure bubbled out of my throat, I loved this rice more than most foods.

“Do you ever stop working Annie?” she asked with a light laugh knowing exactly how much time I spend working compared to the social life I’ve never had. She grabbed us both a Calipso from my fridge and sat down dishing her own food onto the remaining empty plate.

“Thanks” I said shaking the drink before opening the top and taking a swig. Lacey and I came across Calipso in a small town grocery store on one of our trips north a few years ago. It’s a juice that comes in various flavors similar to Jones or Stewards. “I love to work” I protested once I had place the bottle down.

“Yes but you work way too much, it consumes your whole life”

“I do other things too”

“Like what” Lacey challenged looking at me intently from across the island.

“I go to events with Nolan”

“They don’t count Annie” she said with a small frustrated smile.

“Why not?” I argued a small smile slowly spreading across my face.

“You don’t have a social life outside of Nolan and I, which I’m not complaining about but the only things you do is work and attend charity events. Admit it Annie, when was the last time you went out and did something? When was the last time we went out to a club or dancing, hell or even something as innocent as bowling?” I just looked at Lacey, she had a point. We don’t go out anymore we just didn’t have time for it; or we didn’t bother to make time it all depended on how you looked at it.

“I know” I grumbled suddenly feeling like the foundation of my life was under federal review or being audited. Lacey and I have been friends for years, and sure when we were younger we used to do a lot of things; stupid things I might add. Things like crashing frat parties and going out on the town for hours on end and not going home until after daybreak. I can remember one time after final exams we headed out to the city strip where there are tons of bars all along the street. We probably stayed out from the time they opened until the time they closed and then we made our way all over town, still in our bar clothing and still half in the bag. We found ourselves at Miranda’s around noon and she sobered us up before calling Nolan to come and take us home.