11 Chapter 11

We managed to get here early enough to find a picnic bench in the shade. Mari is sitting across from me wearing jeans and a button-down. At least it’s not a t-shirt and a ball cap, that would make me feel completely overdressed for our lunch date. Not that this is a date,I tell myself.

“What made you decide that?” she asks after taking a pull on her bottle of grapefruit soda.

“I dunno, I guess it’s too big for just me. Heck, it was always too big, even before Taylor moved out. And you have to admit, it’s pretty devoid of any unique character.”

“You like something with character?” she asks.

“Yeah,” I say. “Like some of those older eastside homes or the Frank Lloyd-Wright style places down by the university.

“Mandy, you know the actual historic Frank Lloyd-Wright homes will never hit the open market, right.”

“I know, but a girl can dream.”