out for her. She might tell me to mind my damn business. That is exactly what I’d say if someone who was practically a stranger started interfering in my life. Of course, that didn’t mean I was going to stop. You need my help even if you don’t know it.
From where I stood, running The Treasured Chest was costing her already. Yes, I wanted her to sell, but not if it put her happiness in the red. There has to be a way for us both to get what we want.
I was only assuming I knew what that was for Anne, so it was time to dig deeper. Asking questions would invite her to reciprocate, so I needed to focus her on imagining her own future.
“There’d be a lot more to do than sit and watch television. It sure as hell would beat Bermoose. Don’t you think?” I prodded.
Anne nodded. “I would agree. When I wasn’t studying or working, I would either be at a museum or taking in some form of live entertainment. You wouldn’t even believe it. I went to the opera.”
“And what did you think?” I asked. It was something I never could get into, yet my parents brought us at least once a year. They believed it would make us well-rounded individuals. But I was always good at finding an alternative. Sit as far as possible from my parents. Nothing pleased me more than when wireless earbuds were invented. It meant I could discreetly pop my earbuds in so I could listen to anything other than opera.
“I’m embarrassed to tell you,” Anne replied.
That piqued my interest. “Now you have to share it.”
With a huff, she said, “I fell asleep. And not just dozing off, but a deep sleep.”
“How is that embarrassing?”
“Well, I was really overtired and it was allergy season. I get sinus issues around that time of year, like clockwork. Which of course can lead to…snoring. Loud snoring. I almost died when they came and woke me up. I remember hearing this god-awful sound, and later learned it had come from me,” she sighed.
There was no holding back. I burst out laughing like I hadn’t done in years. “That’s priceless.”
Anne growled. “I don’t think it’s very nice that you’re laughing at me.”
“No. I’m laughing with you,” I said.
“But I’m not laughing,” she clarified sternly.
I wasn’t expecting this old embarrassment to still be a sore spot. But then again, I’ve been told I can be insensitive. Containing my laughter, I said, “I’m sorry. Wasn’t trying to be rude.”
She shot me a quick look before turning her attention back to the road. “I can’t believe you fell for that.”
“Excuse me? Are you saying you didn’t snore and disrupt the entire theater?” I teased, knowing damn well now that she hadn’t been upset or troubled in the least.
Anne snorted and said, “I think there were a few people on the balcony who might not have heard me. So as you can see, I will never go to the opera again.” Then she added, “You weren’t going to ask me, were you?”
“Let’s just say that if I’d have been there when you were snoring, it would have been the highlight of my night. I can appreciate how talented they are. I just don’t want to listen to it.”
“That’s two for two,” she said.
“On what?” I asked.
“We both dislike the opera and both like comedy.”
Normally this is when I’d point out all the things we didn’t have in common so the woman understood I wasn’t truly interested in her. But I was having a hard time coming up with anything now. The only glaring difference between us was that Anne put other people’s needs above her own. I could never be accused of doing such a thing. It didn’t mean I didn’t think of them or care, but if I didn’t take care of myself and my business, who would?
“However, I believe this conversation started with you comparing our driving abilities,” I joked. “Have you changed your mind on that?”
She giggled. “Absolutely….not.”
We pulled into the driveway and I carried the Chinese food inside. I could feel every step I took. The patrolman was right, today was worse. I sucked it up because I didn’t want Anne playing nursemaid to me again tonight. Our time together was limited, and I wanted this fun, easygoing time to continue.
Our joking continued throughout dinner until she collapsed onto the couch. “I swear I won’t be able to eat for a month after all that.”
“You