Free Good Sensations by S. L. Scott

look at you and hear your voice.”
    “You cut your hair. It’s a lot shorter.”
    I ruffle my hand on the side of my head. “Yeah, I cut it yesterday. I was told it wasn’t professional.”
    “I like it. You look… older, definitely more professional.” Eyeing me, she adds, “You look like you’ve lost weight.”
    “I took up running. I couldn’t stand sitting at that desk and not moving all day.”
    Shaking her head, she looks contemplative. “You didn’t need to lose any.”
    “It’s the running. How about you?” When I visited, she’d lost a few pounds and her face is looking even thinner now.
    “I’m eating my veggies, if that’s what you’re asking,” she says sarcastically.
    “Mallory?”
    “Yeah?”
    “I just care about you.”
    Her expression softens and her sweet smile reappears. “I care about you, too, but what’s with all the seriousness tonight?”
    “We promised to talk every day,” I point out, then bite the inside of my cheek.
    “I had mid-terms. I told you I’d be busy in the evenings. I’ve called you every day though.” She’s not defensive but sounds remorseful.
    “We didn’t talk last Wednesday.”
    “You remember that?”
    “Yeah, I remember and there have been other days we didn’t talk.” When she looks away, I can tell I’m making her defensive, which is not what I intended to do. “Know that I notice because I miss you.”
    “I mis—”
    “Hey Evan, knock knock.” Kate barges in. “We’re leaving to go to the salon. The car will be downstairs at 7. I’m riding with Lacey. I’ll see you there. Oh, is that Mallory?” Kate practically pushes me out of the way. “Hey there, how’s it going?”
    “Good, but crazy with mid-terms and stuff like that,” Mallory replies, looking happy again. “Kate, you never got back to me about your plans for Thanksgiving.”
    “Murphy’s flying in,” Kate replies. “What about you?”
    “I promised my parents I’d come home since I didn’t for my birthday.”
    “That’s too bad. Well, let’s try to plan something soon. I hate to cut this short, but I’ve gotta run. We have a fundraiser tonight and I’m about to be late for my hair appointment. Good to see you. Call me, okay?”
    “Yeah, yeah. Sure. Bye,” Mallory says to her before my sister disappears out the door.
    I slide my chair back in front of the monitor as Kate warns over her shoulder, “Evan, don’t be late.”
    “I won’t. Go!” I turn back to Mallory who’s looking unsettled.
    “What about you, Evan? You haven’t answered my emails about Thanksgiving. I take it you can’t come?” Her voice is detached from emotion. She’s put up a wall. I don’t blame her for wanting to protect herself.
    Anyway, she’s right. I’ve avoided this topic on purpose. “I can’t come.”
    “I knew you probably wouldn’t be able to make it,” she says and sighs. “But why didn’t you just tell me?”
    “I tried to get the time off, baby, but there was an agreement I made when I took the time off to visit for your birthday.”
    “Dad, please let me go. I’ll work every weekend in December if I have to,” I say, running my hands carelessly through the hair that remains. This ‘professional’ hair doesn’t give me the same satisfaction my longer hair did.
    “No, Evan. I already granted you vacation days you hadn’t earned and that was the deal you agreed to. You need to learn to live with your decisions. I’m sure Mallory would be happy to come here instead. Your mother is making a rack of lamb.”
    “You mean Jean-Luc is making a rack of lamb.”
    “Your rude comments are not welcome in my office,” he says, finally looking up from his paperwork. “I’m very busy, Evan. My decision is final.”
    I turn, outwardly sighing and let my frustration be heard.
    “That’s fine,” Mallory says.
    “I tried to get out of work. I really did.”
    “I know you did, babe, and I appreciate it. I know your job and family are demanding.” She