Emmie wasn't sure how Stevie actually got here. "You invited her?" Emmie couldn't believe they were actually going to have a guest. They were just getting used to having their own space together. Yes, it was possibly nothing significant to the human eye, but Emmie felt she and L were getting closer. And now this."It was ages ago," L explained, hugging herself as if she didn't have any good answers about the sudden guests who had the week already planned for them. "He grew up in Arkansas. He never fit in," L told her. "Stevie wanted to go to New York."
"You mean, we are stuck with...Her?"
"Them."
Emmie nodded, hoping she'd get it right. She gritted a smile. She closed her eyes, wishing this were only a visit. Just how long would this out-of-towner be here?
So the Pride Parade was festive, completely muggy, and crowded. L thought she might melt, but Stevie was in rare form, dancing, chatting with a stranger. Stevie was the complete opposite of L, who could hardly stand to watch. Before long, Stevie went off with a bunch of them in their rainbow colors.
L was stunned. "Actually, I'm a bit worried," L confided to Emmie, who was by her side for the four-hour fiasco.
"She, I mean them. They are grown-ups. Right?" Emmie looked at her with her tense puppy eyes as if she had faith in L's cousin.
L squeezed her eyes shut and hugged herself tightly in her PRIDE tee. "I don't know. I don't know anything for sure," L said. "I mean, they are in their early twenties." Still, she felt Stevie's emotional growth was no more than that of a middle schooler.
"Well, call her!" Emmie demanded as if she were the grown-up here.
"I'll text." L pressed her lips tight, trying to keep her cool. She tapped in. "Are you doing OK?"
"Let's go somewhere and sit down." Emmie thought it was best to stay in the old market district. Maybe Stevie hadn't gone far. However, every place they went was packed with spectators, from coffee shops to diners. It was endless.
Emmie held on to L's hand in the ocean of people in bright colors and makeup. It was like gasping for air. Finally, they made it a few blocks away to an old bookstore with a coffee bar. Instantly, they felt part of the still life.
"Did you hear anything?" Emmie shot L a look as she was combing through her messages. L shook her head, no.
Emmie ordered two iced coffees as if they might need them for stamina. They sat down at the back booth in the dark mahogany interior. L put down her phone on the table and put her hands to her mouth. She began to cry.
"It'll be OK." Emmie sat across from her, looking at L wide-eyed.
"But," L looked at her sadly. "What if it isn't?"
Emmie came around to her side and put her arm around her. L began to shake. Emmie knew then L's blood sugar was low.
