Joshua

Olivia tingled with excitement over who might be the first to arrive. She took a breath and opened the door. Standing on the other side was a very tall, very thin Black man.

Olivia exhaled with barely contained ecstasy. "Joshua. It's Joshua!" She lunged out at him, wrapping him in as big a hug as she could. She rubbed his back, and pressed herself into him. "Joshua, you haven't changed a single bit."

"Liv, wow, it's so good to see you again. And what a lovely house you have."

She glanced at his left hand -- no ring. She smiled and took his hand. "Come inside, please. I'm so happy to have you here. How have you been? What are you doing in your life, Joshua?"

"Might sound crazy, but I'm in radio. I finished my journalism degree, quit playing volleyball after my knee surgery, started working my way up the ladder. I do sports broadcasting now. I call some minor league baseball, some college basketball."

"What a fantastic opportunity for you. Oh, I'm sure you're perfect." She admired his voice, which was smooth and resonant, and he had impeccable diction.

"Yeah, I feel pretty lucky. Hey, maybe you'll come over to the station sometime and check out the setup." Did I just ask her out? I haven't seen her in how many years?

Olivia looked at him. Did he just ask me out? I haven't seen him in so many years?

"So what are you doing, Liv?" he asked, changing the subject.

"I'm a chef now, very busy, lots of clients. Very satisfying."

"And this house? Is this all you?"

"Oh god, no. I live here with five other women. We all just kind of found ourselves in a similar spot in life, and we're making it work."

"That's wild. Like a sorority then?"

"Sure, but without the teenage drama and stupid school rules."

Joshua laughed. "Naturally."

"Can I get you a drink, Joshua?" Olivia gestured toward the kitchen. "There's beer, wine, liquor, whatever you want. If it's there, you can have it." The doorbell rang. "Oh, excuse me. One second, Joshua, I'll be right back."