Excerpt: Beautiful Immortality

Allison began to toast a bagel and brew some fresh coffee in Carla’s eight cup coffee maker. She was sure that Carla would take a break once she smelt the fresh pot. Allison had filled her mug by the time Carla had pulled off her headphones and shuffled into the kitchen.

“You got home late,” Carla said walking to a cabinet where the glasses and mugs were stored.

“Sorry Fridays are worse in the summer,” Allison apologized and took a bite of her bagel. The cream cheese tasted better when she spread some blackberry jam on it, but the jar was left empty in the fridge.

“I know,” Carla smiled slightly and brush a bit of Allison’s hair from her eyes. “Just make sure you call.” A quiet moment passed between them before Carla continued. “You got a check in the mail and I think I found a decent apartment near the university. You’ll still need roommates, but there’s never a shortage of roommates. Good ones are harder to find though to be careful who you let in.” Allison nodded. This was hard on both of them, and if she could she wanted to make their break as clean as possible. It was easier that way.

“I’ve already packed my stuff and I got paid so I can buy that Jeep today.” Carla nodded.

“I won’t be able to go with you, but you can do it right Al?” Carla asked. She looked so tired and frail at that moment. Allison wished that she wouldn’t work so hard when she didn’t really need to. It wasn’t like Charlie and Marie, the last foster child that Carla took in, would have minded having to give up cable if it meant that Carla wouldn’t have to work so damn much. There was just no telling her though. Allison loved Carla for all that she had done for her.

“You sure you don’t want a goodbye party?” Carla asked.

“Nah,” Allison said. “Just plain ol’ dinner like always is fine with me.” Allison hated parties. She knew she probably should have the party anyway to make Carla happy, but she also knew that throwing together a party would just be too much. The door bell rang a little after two and when Allison opened the door Tori Pena was waiting for.

“Hey Tori,” Allison smiled. “Thanks for giving me a lift.” Tori didn’t smile back at her and simply took another drag on her cigarette.

“Whatever lets just get going,” Tori said blowing out the grey smoke turning to leave. Allison followed after her silently after locking the front door. Tori worked at the theater with Allison, and even though she was a pain in the ass to deal with she was open to bartering. Since she had needed a lift Tori offered her services if Allison worked for her on Friday night. From the cans of beer in her back seat, the chain smoking, and the dark bags under Tori’s green eyes Allison got the idea that she had gone partying the night before.

“So why couldn’t your mom give you a lift?” Tori asked Allison once they were on their way.

“She’s my foster mom, and she had to work.” Allison answered.

“So what? That mean you’re getting the boot now?” Tori asked. The theater, in a show of comradely, had posted the birthday months of all the workers on a calendar. On that person’s birthday they were given a card and free candy.

“Pretty much.”

“That sucks.”

“Yeah.”