Chapter 6
1009 Words
To my complete surprise, Candice wasn't joking. Instead of going out for drinks and ordering takeout, which was her normal since she didn't cook, she started buying microwave meals and learned to make simple meals at home that were fairly inexpensive.
I knew it was for real when I saw her starting to sell her name-brand purses for the extra traveling cash. She loved those purses, and I know she made more than enough to cover her bills every month, so that surprised me. Two months after my divorce and working sixty hours a week, the thought of selling the house and traveling was looking more and more appealing.
Candice was home for dinner for the first time in what seemed like forever. "I feel like I haven't seen you in weeks," I told her. "That's because you haven't," she replied with a laugh. "I've been bartending in the evenings to make some extra cash."
I didn't answer. I just felt like such a bad friend, not having realized what she'd been doing every night. "So you were serious when you said I should sell the house, and we should travel?"
"Ummm, yea. No better time than the present. Why do you think I've been working so much?" "I don't know. I just... I thought maybe you were just out, so you didn't have to be around me so much. I know I haven't been that pleasant to be around lately."
"Oh my gosh, NO! That's not it at all. I was dead serious when I said it. What's keeping you here anymore? I mean, I know your parents are here, but they would be happy for you to get out and see the world."
She's probably right. They have always been encouraging of my life choices but never truly liked that I married my high school sweetheart or that I didn't get out and experience more when I was younger. Looking back at it now, I wish I had listened. But going through what I went through has made me the person I am today. Made me stronger and more comfortable speaking up and voicing my opinion instead of shutting down like I used to.
That...... I wouldn't change.
"Okay. Let's do it!" I told her with a nervous smile. Oh, god. What did I just agree to?
"EEEEK! This is going to be epic! Let's start by making a list of places we want to go. That way, we can come up with a route and plan out the trip." That surprised me. Candice is normally a fly by the seat of your pants kind of girl, not a planner. But she knew I was. I don't know if this was more for my benefit or the fact that we were going to places neither of us know anyone. But this was exciting.
As we sat at the island in the kitchen eating our dinner, we both started thinking of places we'd always wanted to go. The TV was playing in the background when I got lost in thought. Thinking of where to go, where Candice was bartending when I knew she hated it, and what my parents were going to say when I tell them I'd be selling everything and traveling. For god knows how long.
"Earth to Lena," Candice said while waving her hand in front of my face. "Sorry, sorry," I told her, snapping out of my thoughts. I'm terrified and excited all at once. "So? What's on your bucket list?" she asked, pulling out a notebook to start writing down our ideas.
"Oh, you know, the usual places. Paris, London, Amsterdam, Rome. Oh, Pisa to see the leaning tower. But more importantly, I want to go to places the locals hang out. Experience the culture and not just the tourist attractions."
"Ooooh, I love that! Just means we'll have to make friends with some locals to figure out where they like to hang out. This is so exciting," she squealed as she jotted the places down on a piece of paper. She added Barcelona and Prague to the list, but I'm sure those won't be the last two places added.
And who knows how many places we'll actually get to go to.
After dinner, I went back to my room to get ready for work in the morning. I had to be in at five, so I needed to get some sleep. But after I crawled into bed, I pulled out my phone and started researching. I started with Paris and made a list of things I wanted to see and experience there, starting with the Eiffel Tower, of course.
Before I knew it, it was one in the morning. I had to be up in just a few hours to get to work, so I shut my phone down, put it on the charger, and closed my eyes to get a few hours of sleep. But before I could, I dawned on me. I never asked Candice where she was bartending. She bartended her way through college and hated it. And I mean HATED it.
She's a very pretty girl, and when I say pretty, I mean drop-dead gorgeous with her blonde hair, blue eyes and rocking body. She got hit on A LOT. At first, she liked it, but then the guys would get all grabby and aggressive with her. Once, she even had a stalker. After that, she quit bartending, started working in retail, and swore to never bartend again. That's why when she told me at dinner, I was shocked to hear it. I know the money's good, but is it really worth it?
I pulled out my phone and typed out a quick text to her. "Where are you bartending at? Maybe I'll come keep you company sometime," but I didn't hit send. I'll send it tomorrow on my break when I know she's awake.
I want to be supportive of her, but I want to make sure she is safe as well. That's the most important thing.
- Writer
