L felt uncertain about so many things. Had she lost Macy? Was she just a player like anyone else? No, L felt as if she were the player, and of course, deep down, even Emmie knew she shouldn't be playing with her life this way. After all, L was a diabetic.
She didn't let many know this secret because L found people would be judgmental. Either tell her not to eat this or that, or THE PITY.
She hated it. Yes, she hated her life very much. It was either trying to get out on her own or being a spinster tucked away at her Aunt's, waiting for one appointment after another. No one wanted to say it, but she was doomed.
She listened to all the terrible, sad, and sometimes tragic endings of those in her family who were gone now, during the holidays. Her Aunt kept everyone's history in a book, making everything sugar-free, fat-free, and of course, no bread or anything like white food around. L had lasted all of six weeks there when her mother decided to go on an adventure to Sweden.
Nothing like being diabetic and Swedish. Of course, all this time her mom thought they were Irish, and then she found out from a DNA test that all their ancestors were from Sweden. Yes, her mom was searching for her own history and decided to find new roots through an online friend, and now lives her own fairytale.
Granted, it was good to be away from each other. It wasn't like L had been a diabetic all her life, either. They'd had some good times, car camping, living without electricity in the outback of Arizona when L was small. But when she started school, her mom moved back to her parents' (L's grandparents) to have a more stable life. It wasn't until L was seventeen, after an acute case of pneumonia, that they found out she was diabetic. And she'd been sick ever since.
Still, she managed through college, knowing she had to do something dependable to be independent. And so far it had worked out fine, getting the job in marketing and statistics, but some days she might as well be girl Friday. She still might have to think about going into the postal service. She just needed to stay healthy.
Her life was just getting by. These days, there were so many beeps and warnings to worry about in her body. Maybe the hospital had put a tracker on her, and she didn't know it. L felt as if she would be Bionic, someday.
But tonight, she didn't have to be alone, meeting up with Wade and Winne. Oh, the coupling. Well, L wasn't sure how to introduce Emmie. It wasn't a date. If it was... L thought she might have heart failure.
At least, L didn't have to drive. Emmie pushed in for directions on her phone, and they were on their way in Emme's little white jeep. She'd even found a top for her from Emmie's closet. Of course, she'd never warn it herself. It was something her friend got for her; she didn't know how many birthdays ago.
"You can keep it," Emmie said. "It looks better on you."
L did her best to smile. But it wouldn't be easy. They beat Macy and Jake to the steakhouse.
"Oh, it's you." Wade gave her a dead stare as if this were unexpected. "Who's this?"
L squinted. She hated her co-worker Wade, who always managed an endless list of things for her to do.
"Uh, Emmie."
Emmie was cordial, but somehow came off like she might be an off-duty officer of some kind. They sat next to Winnie, whose father was the big shot at the company, but thankfully not here for this casual affair.
Just when they were looking at their menus, L heard Winnie whisper-shout to Wade. "Oh, he's cute, like K-Pop cute." Winnie bit a grin.
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