Florecer

Moving On

      It took another two weeks, just about.

     Lily was back on a respectable schedule and was doing her hygiene regimen at least semi-regularly. Brushing her teeth and eating were daily, of course, but showering seemed to skip a day occasionally. That was just fine by her, though. It wasn't like she was leaving the apartment. She stayed inside all day except to get groceries and some sun, working every moment she could. She had lost numerous clients but was slowly getting back into the groove of it all. She didn't mind that she had to give steep discounts and prove her worth again.

     There had been no more calls from sneaky, little Christina, but Lily saw her once or twice when she was trusted to pick up Danny from school. Tracy had, thankfully, given her car keys back. She saw June, too, but they never spoke. She was getting braver by the day but she wasn't yet ready for a full conversation. The day was coming, though, she was sure. Her confidence was nearly there.

     As she was working, the front door opened and she lifted her head long enough to greet Tracy. Danny bounded inside with his pack flopping behind him.

     "Are you hungry?" asked Tracy. "I've got extra nuggets."

     "No, I already ate. What's up?" Lily was used to Tracy dropping by for check-ins, but the last one hadn't been for a few days.

     "I want to talk to you. Got a minute?"

     Unsure, Lily gently closed her laptop. She was caught up on everything she had promised her clients she would do so she could spare a minute. "What's going on?"

    Tracy put the extra nuggets on the kitchen table then went to the couch and sighed as she dropped down. She looked around for Danny, shrugging when she didn't find him. "Remember that business trip a while back?"

     "...Yeah."

     "Well the position was still open and I got a call. I think I'm going to take the job."

     "Wh- That's great!"

     Tracy smiled softly, heating. "Thanks. But you know what that means, right?"

     "That... I need to babysit Danny for a while?"

     "Actually, I'm looking into finding a place closer to the new job, so no. I was actually wondering... Want to come with me?"

     Lily frowned. She scanned her sister's face. "Seriously?"

     "Well, yeah. With the pay raise I could afford a big house, big enough for all of us. Even mom if she wanted. You could still do your own thing but we'd be together. I thought it'd be nice. A new place, a new start. What do you think?"

     "I..." Lily rubbed the back of her neck. "I don't know what to say."

     "Just think about it. Nothing is going to happen for a while, so there's time. I've already talked it through with my superiors and they've agreed to a few of my terms, so I can find something perfect for all of us out there."

     "I thought you were only thinking about taking the job."

     "I'm seriously considering it. I mean... I've pretty much said yes already."

     Lily blew out her cheeks. "Wow. Okay. Uh... okay."

     "I know it's a big change, but I think it's a good one. So... you'll think about it? I'd hate to leave you here."

     "Yeah... yeah... I'll think about it." Lily smiled through her conflicting emotions. "Congratulations."

     Tracy smiled, relieved. "Thank you. But, look, I'm going to go so you can get your thoughts together. Call me if you make a decision, or want to say anything, okay? Don't think about me or Danny. Just think about what would make you happiest. Alright. See you." She kissed Lily's cheek then called for Danny, who came out to the living room holding a few things he had left at the apartment that he now wanted with him. He went to give Lily a kiss as well, saying that he loved her, then left with Tracy.