Normal People - Strange Encounters Book Two

Chapter 40

Amelia rushed home from work Friday, throwing her things on the couch before hurrying into the kitchen. She moved throughout the apartment in a flurry, tidying up the living room and sorting the dishwasher, vacuuming the carpets and even picking up in the bedroom.  She checked her watch, realizing she still had time for a quick shower. After she hopped out she lit a few candles, uncorked a bottle of wine, and grabbed three glasses from the cabinet, setting them on the coffee table. When the doorbell rang she squealed, throwing the door open. Anna and Smith stood on the other side, looking just as excited as Amelia felt.

"Eeee!" Anna screeched, running into Amelia's arms. Smith chuckled, enveloping the two women in a hug. 

"Damn, I missed you guys," Amelia said with laughter in her voice.

"I miss you guys too! I can't believe your surprise party was the last time we were all together."

"A month isn't that long, Smithy" Anna chuckled, making her way into the apartment. "Nice place ya got here, Leelee."

"I mean, it's technically Spencer's, but thanks!"

"You live here too, now. I can tell some of the art is yours, very you" Smithy said, observing the map of Maine she'd hung as well as a few paintings she'd brought from her old apartment. She shrugged, still thinking of this home as very Spencer, which she was okay with. It made her feel like she was always enveloped in him, even when he wasn't there. 

"Not to be a brat, but I'm happy your mans is away this weekend. I needed some girls time," Smithy said, kicking off his shoes and laying back on the couch. 

"You and me both."

"How's that new job going, Lee?"

"Really well, just super draining. And I haven't even started the actual advocacy work yet."

She pursed her lips, thinking about everything that was going to start next week, and grew apprehensive. 

"I know that look. I thought you were excited about this?" Anna asked.

"I am, really. I'm just.. I haven't fully.. processed, I guess, what happened to me. How am I supposed to help people work through their own shit?" She said, feeling a little fraudulent.

"You're a smart girl, Leelee. You're able to look at things objectively, you know that your situation isn't these people's situations. And who knows, maybe this will help you process your own shit" Smith shrugged, pouring three glasses of wine for the trio. Amelia accepted, gulping hers down. She knew he was right, but also knew herself. She needed to talk about Alycia, with Spencer, or at least with Adam, but still wasn't able to bring herself to talk about it aloud. 

"Anyways, enough about me. Tell me about Freddy! How are things going with him?"

"Oh, I wanted to tell you guys in person, but Freddy is no longer."

"What?!" Anna asked, Amelia's face mimicking the shock on hers. Smith looked momentarily confused looking between the two before bursting out laughing. 

"Oh my god I'm sorry, no, he's alive, we just broke up! I worded that terribly."

The two women paused before laughing, punching Smith in the arm. 

The evening went by in a blur of wine and gossip, only pausing to order takeout. They'd had a lot to catch up on, and spent the entire evening talking until all three fell asleep on the couch together in the early hours of the morning.

The following day Amelia showed them around DC, starting at the coffee shop Spencer had brought Amelia on her first visit to DC which had quickly become her favorite. The barista knew her by name, asked where Spencer was, and got her order started without needing to ask. Having been a barista for a few years in college, Amelia always appreciated the staff at the shop. As Amelia and Smith were ordering she slipped outside.