“We should do this again,” Erin said as she walked outside and turned around. Lillie slowly positioned herself behind the door, her hand already on the bolt as Paul walked down the path.
Lillie faked a smile. “Yes,” she said as Erin looked back at Paul and tutted. “…I’ll see you around the neighbourhood I’m sure. Thank you for the—”
“Paul!” Lillie blinked and tightened her grip on the bolt.
Paul turned. “What?” he said.
“You never said goodbye.”
“I already did!”
“Well, I never heard it!”
Paul sighed, mouthed something as he looked up at the sky before turning back. “Look, we don’t have time for—”
“Is your little game that important that you forget your manners?” Erin turned back. “Honestly…”
“Like I said, I didn’t forget.” Paul looked at Lillie. “Tell her, Lillie.”
“It’s alright,” Lillie said as she looked between Erin, Paul, and the clock on the wall. “He said goodbye in the hall.” Lillie poked her head further out of the doorway. “What’s the occasion, anyway?”
Paul smiled and rubbed his hands together. “Two straight wins and we win the league.” Lillie smiled. “If we do then—”
Erin frowned as she leaned closer to Lillie. “He’s been saying that the last six years…”
“I heard that,” Paul said.
Erin leaned back and turned to Paul. “So?” She prodded him in the stomach with her handbag. “What are you going to do about it? Spend more of our money on idle fantasies?”
Paul frowned. “It’s my money, to begin with, and I’ll do what I want with it.” Paul glanced at Erin’s bag. “Would you rather me buy you another seven bags?” Erin recoiled. “Well forget it.” Paul glanced back at Lillie. “Goodnight, Lillie.” He walked back down the path, leaving Erin where she stood. A moment passed, and Lillie glanced at the clock once again before watching Paul get in the car.
Erin tutted and turned to Lillie. “Goodnight,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll run into each other again soon.”
Lillie once again faked a smiled. “I hope so,” Lillie said as Erin finally walked away from the door and got into the car. Lillie waved as the pair left before closing the door, and bolting it shut. She sighed and backed away from the door towards the counter. The house was dark but dimly lit by a few candles dotted here and there. She grabbed her mug of coffee from the bar and sat near the window. Lilli placed her cup down on the table before retying her hair. She took a sip, still warm, and sat back before rubbing her eyes and gazing over the lake. Of the twinkling lights in the distance, of the moon rising in the sky. Lillie took another sip from her mug before putting it down again.
Lillie smiled. “Only the first day and I already feel like moving,” Lillie said. She laughed as she sat back in the chair and raised her mug. “If only you were still here, Frank,” Lillie glanced at the empty chair opposite her, “if only you were still here.”