Wednesday, December 14th
96.)
Work was exactly what I expected it to be. Seven hours of listening to podcasts and medical notes. We had software that translated most of it; I was checking for accuracy. The worst part was when I had a podcast episode where two people talked over each other a lot. The software usually picked up one voice but the other was always jumbled.
Aunt Patty made me a latte with a lot of cream. She had one of those espresso machines in her kitchen. I wasn't huge on coffee, but she made really good lattes.
"So how've you been?" she asked, leaning on my desk.
"Oh you know. Dropped out of college. I'm a stripper now. You'd be surprised how good the body positivity movement is for my income."
"If that were true, you wouldn't need this job," Aunt Patty teased. "Is school going okay?"
"I guess," I shrugged. "I don't know what I want to be, so I feel like I'm just going through the motions. But my grades are good. Finals still kick my ass."
"You should try anxiety meds again," she pushed. Aunt Patty took anti-depressants and she was maybe the happiest person in the world.
"I just hate feeling nauseous and exhausted all day. I already don't sleep enough."
"What about weed?" Oh yeah, Aunt Patty also had no qualms with drug use, legal or otherwise.
"Gosh golly, Aunt Patty! My pastor says Mary Jane is a gateway to premarital sex!" I rolled my eyes. Then, on a more serious note: "You know, my friend just suggested that."
"Lin? She doesn't seem like the type."
"No, my friend Blossom."
"The beach house girl?"
"Mom sure talks, huh?"
"She's told me some things. You're spending a lot of time with her?"
"Yeah, she's cool."
"She's also a hottie?"
"My mom called Blossom a hottie?" I was incredulous at that.
"No, your mom called her tall, tan, and stacked."
"All those things are true," I laughed.
"So is this one of those new-age lesbian things?" Aunt Patty asked, as if she hadn't dated women before.
"No, it's more like..." I paused. "You know how, when you're a kid, you play make believe?"
"Uh..." Aunt Patty wasn't prepared for that question. "Yes?"
"I feel like we do that. We don't really act like ourselves, but in a good way. I feel like I act like a better me around her."
"So it is a new-age lesbian thing."
"No," I sighed. "It's... unquantifiable right now. But I like her."
"Romantically?"
"It's romantic, but it's not romance. It's... idealized. Life with her is a good version of reality."
"Well, whatever it is," Aunt Patty said, "follow the stuff that makes you happy. The rest of the puzzle will make sense once you get the edges done."
"Good advice."
We were quiet for a moment.
"So, should I work for my pay, or...?"
"Oh. Yes." She put on her best boss voice. "Get back to work!"
"Thanks for the latte," I called after her as she left the room.
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