A couple glasses of wine deep, Laura and I sat together on her couch. We laughed at whatever trashy show she'd thrown on her flat screen.
"It's so good to see you again, Elizabeth." Laura giggled. She never called me Elizabeth, only when she was for-real-no-bullshit-serious. Otherwise, it was Liz.
I leaned my head on her shoulder, "You too, Laur."
We had been best friends since elementary school. We'd gone through every phase together. After college graduation, we'd both lost touch. She'd gone and moved in with her long-term boyfriend, and I'd started my writing career. Yet somehow, no matter how far we'd strayed, any time we met up, it felt like we had never stopped talking.
I'd always had a small crush on her, nothing too intense. But if I were to say that I'd never had the occasional erotic dream of her beautiful curves, or fantasized about kissing her passionately, I'd be lying.
"How's Matt? Is he still working at that, uh-" I strained to find the place I was looking for. I was sure she'd told me. I never really cared for Matt, so I suppose my brain chose not to keep that information.
"Oh..." Laura sighed, "I guess I haven't told you yet. We broke up a while ago. He was just too... boring."
"Really? Five years with him and you ditched him because he was boring?" I laughed. I tried not to let the subtle spark joy creep up onto my face.
A silence fell over us. Laura turned her face to the TV, and I watched as her face flickered from sadness, to contentment, and then inquisitive.
"Liz, do you believe in spirits?"
I poured myself another glass of wine.
"What, you mean like the spooky-ghost-horror-movie kind?"
"Sorta. Like ones that can possess you and stuff."
I stared at her, trying to analyze if she was joking. I shrugged, "I've never really thought about it. Why?"