A Leak In The Safe

I come home to find my apartment door open and my laptop missing. I’m livid until I discover that someone’s just put it back in its case and stuck it on the shelf.

I look in the bedroom and there’s Virginia, lying on my bed, holding a book. She’s broken in because she wanted something to read.

You’re unbelievable I say, sitting next to her. But I’m glad you’re here. I have something important to tell you. I wait a beat. Can you guess what it is?

That you like me. She smiles her crooked smile.

And that I want to be your friend until the end of recorded history.

That’s a long time. But I have something to tell you, too. She waits a beat herself. Remember when we were back in school and you were always taking my picture and writing about me?

Yes.

Well, the thing is I was actually so lonely that whole time.

Really? I ask, my heart breaking, thinking that I should have been a better friend to her.

No. She laughs. Kidding. You know how popular I was, my heart breaking again as I realize how little I know her, even after all this time.