The Boundary

Chapter 2-2

When I opened the door to my building, my eyes squinted at the bright sunlight. I hadn’t seen it in days and I forced myself down the old wooden steps to the brick sidewalk. I turned toward the direction of the James River, then spun around and walked in the opposite way. Though I had no desire to speak to anyone, I felt the need to be around people. There was a coffee shop on Cary Street I went to occasionally, Percolate. I’d get a cup of tea and see what normal, non-depressed people looked like.

I lived on China Street in a small apartment building with three other tenants, all students. A greenish-yellow haze of pollen covered the windshields of cars parked on both sides of the street. Spring had officially started while I had languished on the couch feeling sorry for myself, and I shrugged off my hoodie and tied it around my waist.

When I got to the end of my block, I saw a familiar face. I didn’t want to actually speak with anyone and was about to turn back toward the direction of the river when her voice rang out.

“Gray!”

Sneaky owned a bar next door to the coffee shop I’d been walking toward. We weren’t besties or anything, but we saw each other occasionally at parties they threw around the neighborhood. As she was crossing the street toward me, her tattooed arms spread open for a hug. When she touched me I flinched and hoped she didn’t notice. Sneaky pulled back, her arms laced around my neck. Then her bright red lips flattened out and her eyebrows drew together.

“What’s wrong? You look like someone has died.”

I bit my lip, not wanting to be a downer. When I opened my mouth to speak, I hesitated, trying to think of something neutral, but instead the truth popped out.

“I, um, well, I lost my job.”

“s**t. I’m sorry. Did it just happen, or…” she started, but I held up my hand and shook my head.

“Look, I don’t want to talk about it. It didn’t go down very well, and I’m still feeling a little raw, if you know what I mean.” I averted my eyes and grimaced. “But, thanks for…”

“Where are you headed?” She interrupted. I shrugged my shoulders and opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I felt the now-familiar pressure building up behind my eyes.

“You’re coming with me.” Sneaky grabbed my hand and started dragging me forward. “Sometimes shitty things happen to good people, and you are good people, Gray.”

“But…”

“I’m not taking no for an answer,” she said in a high-pitched sing-song voice, then I swiped at my eyes with my other hand and followed her down the sidewalk.