Sink First

Suits and Ties and Exes, Oh My

I'd been awake all night, staring at the ceiling, pacing the floor, falling down the rabbit hole of youtube until I saw the sun and figured it was okay to go down to the kitchen and make coffee without waking anyone. Rounding the stairs I saw Yara already pouring herself a cup with the phone to her ear. She was so cute in her pink matching pajama set with little red hearts all over them. Her honey colored skin turned red as she paced the floor. Yara had a round nose and slanted eyes that were always swollen in the morning. She looked at me through slits and then swung her long blonde braids over her shoulder.

   
     "I understand." She gripped the cup tightly and shifted her weight from on leg to the other. "It's very short notice, but I'm sure I can come up with something" She looked at me again, her eyes full of disappointment. "No, no. Thank you so much for the opportunity. I won't disappoint." She ended the call and sat the phone on the counter.

    "What's going on?" I asked.

    "That was Monica from The Perez Art Museum. They're having a charity event and want to give some local artists the chance to auction their work." Even though her voice was even and no emotion showed on her face, I knew how excited she was. I knew because we talked about it often. When we met in the 4th grade and I'd tried to impress her with my gel pens and bubble letters, she'd used a mechanical pen to draw my side profile during lunch. I decided then that not only was she talented, but I wanted to be her best friend. We never left each other's side after that and Yara's talent only grew. She was in art show after art show and before each one I hand delivered a bubble letter good luck card to her. She won them all and called me her good luck charm. It was the only time I ever felt good for something.

    "Oh my God, Yara! This is the dream. The whole damn dream is happening right now." I looked around her kitchen wondering if she saw it from a bird's eye view too. "This could be huge. Like millions, huge!"

    "But I have three days." Her dilemma played out in front of me like a short film.

    "Why would they give you such short notice?"

    "I was supposed to know months ago, but I didn't hear anything so I assumed I didn't get it. I just planned to take the loss quietly and then throw myself into my art and wait on the next opportunity. They just called and apparently someone couldn't make it so their spot is open. And now I just feel confused, because I'm second best, I'm the last choice, Do I even deserve it?"

    Tears were falling down her face and I hugged her, pulling her cheek to mine.

    "There were a hundred people to choose from and they came back to you. No matter if you were first, second, or last, you take the chance and you make them choose you forever." I felt her nod her head against my face.

    "You're right, Mia. You're always right."

    "I believe in you." I reminded her as I rocked us side to side. "My best friend is about to be fucking famous and I knew it!" I squeezed her until she started coughing.

    "Don't kill me before I get the chance." She laughed. I let her go and picked up her coffee mug to take a sip.

    Daniel came down stairs dressed and carrying a leather crossbody bag.

    "Daniel..." She started, her eyes darting from his bag to his face.

    "What's up?" He dropped the bag and came over to kiss her before picking up her coffee mug to take a sip.

    "Monica from Perez called." The excitement in her voice was rivaled only by red eyes and tear stained cheeks.

    "You got it?"