Chapter 40

Michael sat in the small offices at Big World. He'd printed his last edition of the small paper. He sat in the middle of the room on the floor. The desk, chairs, bookcases, phone, and other equipment had been sold or given away. The room was empty.

Next to him was a small blue cooler and chess game. He opened it and pulled out a beer, popped off the top, and took a big drink.

Tallulah walked in and smiled when she spotted him on the floor. "Wow, I don't think I've even seen this room empty." She walked over to him and sat down. He handed her a beer. They clicked bottles, and both took a drink.

"Well, Boss, it's been a pleasure working with you. Michael, you're a damn good editor. You've been a good friend to me for a long time. I love you. Cheers."

He smiled. "Thanks, T. I love you, too. You're a damn good reporter. I read your article in You & Me. It was good. But what amazed me was the poetry. Who knew Tallulah Brock was Finesse da Poet?"

She blushed a little. "Well, it was something I came up with a long time ago. I never told anyone. I don't really know why. But when they asked me to host, I thought, Why not? So voila – Finesse da Poet."

"Well, I was impressed," he said. "So, what's next?" "I should be asking you that," she said.

"Well, I have a couple of interviews set up for next week. One is for an editor for an online paper, and the other is editing for a small publishing company. My rent is paid for a few months. I have a little money in the bank. I'm good, T. I'm really good," he said.

"I'm happy for you, Michael. So…what's up with you and Zoe? Is she your girlfriend?" Her tone was playful. She poked him with her finger.

"Let's just say things are going well. I really like her," he said.

"Duh. It's about time," she said.

"So, what are you going to do?" he asked.

"I dunno. I guess keep freelancing. Sharon said we could talk about future stuff, and well, they did pay well for my story. So, I'm good, too."

Michael took a long drink from his beer. "Well, the end of a chapter." He put the empty bottle into the cooler, then handed him her set of keys.

"You did good, Michael. You did what most never will. You actually lived your dream. That's huge! Big World can always come back online, ya know." "I know. It's something I'm thinking about," he said.

"Well, don't think too long. I think you'd do well," she said.

The two friends sat in the empty office, then Michael opened the chess set and set up the board.

"Okay, best out of 3," he said.

She laughed. "Just 3?"

He shook his head, yes, and they both laughed. They played and drank for the rest of the afternoon. Tallulah still beat him by winning 2 out of 3.

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