“When you insult my spouse I become defensive,” she reasons, and I laugh.
“Now I know why you’ve spent so much time in your room this summer.”
“K-Pop all day every day, bro,” she quips and we both laugh.
“Do you want to go to the pier today?” I ask her. I selfishly want to visit Julio.
“Only if I can introduce you to the wonders of K-Pop on the way.”
“Knock yourself out.”
She squeals and runs up the stairs to get ready. “I low you!” she calls over her shoulder.
I set my book down to do the same, Perry loping behind me like an ever-present shadow. He follows me into my room and plops on my bed as I close the door behind us. Opening my closet, I scan my clothes, looking for something to wear. I pull out a pair of shorts I forgot I owned. They’re high waisted and black with a yellow and peach floral print. I pair them with a cropped short sleeve white shirt and a hat. Forgoing my usual sneakers or flip-flops I put on a pair of strappy black sandals I’ve worn maybe once.
I glance at my reflection in the mirror and smile. I’m not wearing any makeup, but I think I look cute. I don’t normally dress nice and it feels good.
Grabbing my bag, I meet Harlow downstairs and we get in the car, taking Perry with us because he suckers me into feeling sorry for him.
He sits in the back, wagging his tail. I swear he smiles.
“If you do anything bad,” I warn hi
m, pointing a finger, “I’ll never speak to you again.”
He just pants in response. Apparently, I’m not very threatening.
Whatever.
At least I tried.
Harlow wastes no time hooking her phone up and blasting her K-Pop. It isn’t that bad, actually. In fact, it’s catchy, and soon I’m bobbing my head along as we drive to the pier.
“Good, right?” she asks, while I maneuver the car into a parking spot.
“I like it,” I admit.
She claps her hands giddily. “I have converted you to the dark side.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“You just wait,” she warns. “You’ve been sucked into the K-Pop black hole and you’re not coming back.”
I can’t help but laugh at her.
Getting out, I grab Perry’s leash and ease open the back door, grabbing his collar before he can jump out. I wrestle with him to attach the leash and then I let him hop out.
I lock up behind us as Perry drags me along. You can’t walk this dog. He walks you.
Harlow bounces along beside me in a bright and cheery mood. But when is she not? If I could bottle her energy and attitude then shake it across the world like a pepper shaker, the world would be a much happier, brighter place.
“I want cotton candy,” Harlow declares, walking backward to face me. “You want any?”
“No.” I shake my head. “You go on. I’ll meet back up with you.”
“Sure.” She turns and scurries off.
I guide Perry, as best I can since he’s stubborn, into Julio’s shop.