The Weight of It All

by N.R. Walker

I realised that maybe Kadin and I had more in common than I first realised and made a mental note that I liked him now and would make an effort to be awkward with him together.

I stared at her. “Is that another compliment? Because we’ve just been through that.” She walked to her desk. “You mispronounced thank you.”

“His full pedigree kennel name is Shameless Bottom Needs a Muscle Daddy, but he gets called Chihuahua Boy for short.”

We got on well. But more than that, we were productive together, and I really liked that.

You know what’s worse than being alone?” She squeezed my hands. “What’s that?” “Being with someone and being alone at the same time.”

“And I’m considering pegging you again when we get home.”

I stood up, and figuring hugging her was unprofessional and giving her a fistbump and saying ‘gay power’ wasn’t strictly code either, I said, “Thank you, Lillian.”

I’m pretty sure I died right there. Or saw the light of heaven. Or was transported to some ethereal plane where pleasure and ecstasy were as tangible as air.