Coddiwomple

by S.E. Harmon

“Well, we can’t all be happy two feet away from where we dropped out of the womb,”

One of the office cats, Mr. Pickles, moseyed across her keyboard. Bailey shooed him off, but he came back for a second pass, clearly determined to put his thoughts in print.

I combed my brain frantically, wishing I could do a keyword search for the words observatory and wedding. Maybe something had gone into my mental Spam Folder. It was usually pretty crowded in there.

I could barely remember to take a multivitamin, and now I’d been drafted to keep my father alive.

His eyes twinkled. “You know what they say about all work and no play. It gives you the most horrific boner all day.”

I didn’t know much about having casual sex, but I knew a steam mop wasn’t supposed to be involved.

He nodded. “You know, I didn’t know how well the name Journey would fit you until you grew up. You’re happiest with the dust of the world on your feet.” “I think I’d give it all up for Cam.” “You shouldn’t have to. Settling down doesn’t mean boring, JJ. It just means you know where home is when you’re done seeing the world.” He raised a meaningful eyebrow. “You don’t have to change everything about your life. Just show him that you know how to come back.”

Well, if they were waiting for a show, they weren’t going to get one. I could be perfectly dead inside and pleasant on the outside. I was an excellent multitasker.