Page 40 of The Rebel

“It’s unique for sure.”

Annelise had moved away from home, but not too far—just in the neighboring town. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Kevin, and visited her family twice a week and updated me on all the goings-on. Not that there was a lot going on in our small hometown.

“I feel like such a bad daughter for not being home in so long,” I confided in her as we strolled down Dumaine, eating ice cream. The day was surprisingly hot, so the dessert seemed appropriate.

“Your folks know you’re independent. They’re the same way too. But don’t you miss home sometime?”

I bit my lower lip. “Honestly, no. I like this.” I waved my free hand around. “Moving to new places, exploring. I like adventure. Although, I’d love to find my dream job here.”

“Or maybe you could keep your current job, huh?”

“It’s not bad,” I admitted. “The pay is very good.”

“Especially with the hot boss?” She waggled her eyebrows.

“Hey, I didn’t tell you that so you could tease me.”

“But what else is a best friend for?” Annelise asked.

“Oh, you’re mean.”

“But you love me.”

“Of course I do.”

“Hey, how about going in here?” she said, pointing to a store selling charms and crystals.

“Sure.”

New Orleans was full of such small shops with the most random products, but I loved them. This one in particular was truly tiny and smelled a little stuffy. If I were by myself, I wouldn’t linger, but Annelise was ecstatic.

The sales associate was a young woman who seemed to be barely eighteen. For some reason, I expected this place to belong to an old matriarch or something. Talk about preconceived notions.

“Are you searching for something specific?” she asked Annelise.

“No, I just like to look at the stuff.”

The woman grinned. “Oh, I totally get it. Be my guest. I won’t disturb you. I know how it feels to want to just browse at your leisure without anyone pressuring you to buy anything. I’ll just get back to my book.”

Without another word, she headed to a cozy armchair and sat down with a book.

“Looking for something to buy for Kevin?” I teased Annelise.

“Ha ha.” Her husband forever made fun of her obsession with crystals. “No, I’m taking advantage of the fact that he isn’t here to just indulge myself.”

“How is life with Kevin?” I asked as she inspected a small round quartz.

“Just as in love as we were in high school. Despite his growing beer belly and the snoring. We’ve got to find a solution for that.”

I giggled.

“Hey, don’t laugh. It’s a thing, you know.”

“I wouldn’t know, actually.”

“I keep thinking maybe I can convince him to have separate bedrooms.”

I gasped.