Balancing Acts by Zoe Fishman

Author:Zoe Fishman
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2014-09-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

Charlie & Naomi

I can’t believe I ate three slices of pizza,” Charlie moaned, as she and Naomi waited drunkenly for the subway. “What was I thinking?!”

“You weren’t,” answered Naomi. “It was the wine talking. Besides, they were fancy pieces.”

“Fancy pieces? What does that mean?”

“You know, it was a yuppie pizza joint. The pieces were small. Three of those pieces are really only one and a half in the world of true pizza,” Naomi explained.

Charlie laughed. “I like your math, Naomi. But they were still piled high with mounds of cheese. And don’t forget the Caesar salad and calamari.”

“Why are you trying to kill my buzz?” Naomi asked, playfully pushing Charlie away. “If you’re drunk, calories don’t count.” She wasn’t sure if it was the drink or the company, but she felt really good—physically and mentally—for the first time in what felt like weeks. To be so hyperaware of everything that was going on in her body, from the slightest muscle twitch to the mystery bruise that she had found on her thigh, was exhausting, not to mention completely depressing. And then, to keep it all to herself. . .it was a heavy burden. She wondered if telling Charlie about it would help.

“Another dietary gem! Okay, okay, I’ll shut up about calories. Even tomorrow when my gut hangs over my waistband during my seven o’clock class, I’ll shut up. Promise.”

“Deal,” said Naomi. The train approached. Once inside, Naomi yanked off her hat. She wondered if Charlie had heard of symptoms like Naomi’s before; if she would laugh and say, No offense, but this is clearly a case of being out of shape. Naomi hoped for that kind of reaction, but knew she was being naïve. There was no way that someone as in tune with the body as Charlie would be so dismissive. She glanced nervously at her. She was grinning with her eyes closed, her head against the wall. She seemed a bit drunk. Maybe this wasn’t the time to bring up her troubles. Talk about a buzz kill.

Charlie opened her eyes suddenly and faced Naomi. “When was the last time you were in love?” she asked.

“Well, there’s an interesting question. What brought that on?” Definitely drunk, thought Naomi. She had never seen this kind of candor from Charlie before.

“You’re avoiding my question!” said Charlie.

Naomi laughed. “Yeah, I guess I am. Hmmm, the last time I was in love. Has to be Noah’s dad, Gene. We broke up like, almost nine years ago, so. . .there’s your answer.”

Charlie nodded. “It’s been four years for me.” She sighed heavily. “Four freakin’ years.”

“Who was it?” asked Naomi. “What happened?”

Charlie suddenly sat up straighter and shook her head in an attempt to realign her brain. “Oh God, look at me! Drunk girl! Forgive me, it’s that damn wine talking.” She smiled shyly, revealing purple-tinged teeth.

“I’ll say it’s talking! You have red wine mouth. Do I?” Naomi opened her mouth wide to give Charlie a good look.

“Totally!” shrieked Charlie. “Aren’t we a vision? A drunk yogi and a drunk mom, waxing poetic on love lost.

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