Trust Read Online Free Page A

sighed.
    "Were you-"
    "No," she said. "Thank you, Sable." Her tone was subdued.
    "What's wrong, Josie?"
    "Not a thing. So, are you coming to dinner?"
    I laughed. "Maybe next time."
    "Pity. Do you mind if I cook while we chat?"
    "Not at all."
    * * * *
    We talked for a long time. We both made ourselves dinner. Then we sat at our respective tables, put each other on speaker, and ate together, so to speak. We each cleaned up, and then we each returned to our living rooms, still talking.
    She made me laugh, a lot.
    She teased me, also a lot. I loved it.
    Finally I said, "You told me you had a new game for us."
    "Ah. Yes. Did you want to play?"
    "I'd love to play."
    "All right. But we both have to get comfortable. Go to your bedroom and describe your home as you do."
    "All right. I have a house. It's not a big house. Three bedrooms, one and a half baths. One of the bedrooms and the half bath is in the basement. I don't really use it except as a place to store out of season clothing."
    "So you do your living on one floor," she replied. "Where are you now?"
    "Hallway to my bedroom."
    "Which way do you turn to your bedroom?"
    "It's straight. Guest room to the left, bathroom to the right."
    I continued to describe the house, and then the bedroom itself, sitting on the end of the bed as I did so.
    "All right," she said. "Put me back on speaker and get ready for bed."
    "Ready for bed?"
    "Have you checked the time?"
    I pulled my phone away and looked at it. "Holy shit! Do I have any batteries left?"
    She laughed. "Maybe you should plug me in."
    So I did all that, bustling about, in and out a few times, talking loudly to each other. Soon I was propped up in bed with the phone back at my ear.
    "Are you ready, Sable?"
    "I'm not at all sure. Why did you send me to bed?"
    "Because I wanted to climb into bed, and I wanted to think that you were doing so at the same time."
    "You're game isn't X-rated is it?"
    "Not hardly. It's called the wishing game."
    "Wasn't that a movie?"
    "I wouldn't be surprised, but this is different. We're going to make wishes. We'll start with a topic, like Animals. And then we'll each make a wish related to animals."
    "Who picks the topics?"
    "We'll play four rounds tonight," she said. "Me, you, you, me."
    "All right." I settled more fully into the bed. "So the topic is Animals?"
    "Oh heavens, no," she said. "The topic is Careers."
    "Are there rules about these wishes?"
    "Yes. They must be real wishes. Don't wish to be elected President if you don't like politics."
    I laughed. "All right. Are you going first?"
    "Unless you're ready."
    "I don't have a clue."
    "Well then. I wish I'd been able to share my joy of marketing with my daughter. I would have loved to see her take over my business."
    "You have a daughter," I said quietly.
    "I do. Her name is Lydia. She's somewhat younger than you are."
    "How much younger?"
    "She's 22."
    "If she didn't go into marketing, what does she do?"
    "She has a fresh college degree and is on the first rung of the corporate ladder. To be honest, I don't really understand what she does. Something with computers."
    I laughed. "Everyone's job is something with computers," I told her.
    "I suppose that's true. So, that was my wish. Have you thought of yours yet?"
    "No. Give me a moment." Actually, I knew what I wished, but I wanted something better.
    But when I was quiet too long, Josie asked, "Have you fallen asleep, Sable?"
    "I have a wish, but it's not as good as yours."
    Her voice was gentle. "Tell me, Dear."
    "All right. I wish my boss wasn't a homophobe. I'm not out at work, and because I don't look the part, no one even wonders if I'm gay. But it will come out eventually."
    "It always does," Josie replied. "Eventually. I'm sorry."
    "It's not your fault. I'm good at what I do, and if she figures it out, I'll either get a transfer or find a job somewhere else. I just wish..." I trailed off.
    "I know," Josie said. She paused. "Do we need to talk while you decide on your topic?"
    "No. You