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you did get a chance to chat with Aimes,” I said smiling.
    “Shut up, Ink.” She pretended to be pissed off at me but not only could I hear it in her voice, I could see her grinning as she poured coffee for her and Gus. “Come on, Gus. Let’s enjoy these in my room.” No one said a word until we heard the door to Aimes’ room close again.
    Evan was the first one of us to speak, “I have to say, I really didn’t see that coming.”
    Apparently, Lisa had the inside information. “I overheard them talking last night and…”
    “Jesus, Lisa” I said. “Maybe we should let Aimes tell it.”
    “God, Ink, you’re no fun. Anyway…” she continued, leaning over the counter and speaking mostly to Evan. For someone as tight lipped about her own love life as she was, she gossiped about everyone else’s with glee. “He apparently only joined the Marines so he could get away from his parents’ farm. Oh, and he’d never seen the ocean before. He hadn’t planned on staying that long but when his tour was over, his wife asked him if they could stay here. He was already trained in aeronautics so he could’ve left California and gone anywhere. He wanted to go back home for a while. According to Gus, she was already having a relationship with that other guy by then. She’d been seeing him the entire time Gus was in Iraq.”
    “Wow, poor Gus.” Now I felt even guiltier for ever judging him and for listening to bar gossip. I should’ve known better. But Gus had already told me he and his wife had been finished for a long time.
    “Well, he’s rid of her now.” Lisa added. It seemed like she was trying to be sweet about the plight of Gus and his broken marriage. That’s what I thought anyway, until she spoke again. “I just hope Aimes doesn’t break his heart.”
    “What makes you think she would do that?” I asked. I felt my hackles rise. Lisa was a good friend but Aimes was my best and oldest friend. I knew her better than anyone so I immediately felt like I had to defend her.
    “Oh, come on, Ink, she’s never been serious about anyone. She’s happy being her slutty self, no strings attached, love ‘em and leave ‘em. ‘See ya later, Sailor!’ I kind of envy her. I could never do that. I’d feel…dirty or something.”
    She did not just say that.
    Every inch of me was starting to heat in anger. Evan squeezed my hand, “Come on, baby. Let’s go get ready for the day.” He led me into my bedroom and shut the door behind us, “Just ignore her.” He said. “I think she’s having a hard time with you guys both having a significant other. She probably just feels left out.”
    “Did she say that to you?”
    “Not in so many words, but you can just tell. Wouldn’t you feel a little left out?” I knew he was right but I didn’t want her talking about Aimes like that.
    “You’re right. I suppose if I was surrounded by all this lovey-dovey-ness I would be a little put out too. Maybe I should go talk to her.”
    “Nah, just let it go. She’ll be fine. She’s just…adjusting, baby.” He came toward me and put his arms out to invite me into them. I, of course, complied. “Just give her some time. She’ll come around.”
    ***
    An hour later, Evan left to hang out with his roommates. I sat on the floor with a huge art pad and charcoal in a bowl. I looked down at the empty page and made the decision not to take Evan’s advice and give Lisa time. When the sloshing feeling of a stomach filled with only coffee hit me, I decided to stop brooding, holed up in my room and face her. I was certain that Aimes and Gus had gone out for the day, since she didn’t have to be in until six that night. My shift began at four, giving me plenty of time to clear the air with Lisa.
    Lisa sat in the kitchen, reading a book for her accounting class. I was actually surprised she wasn’t some sort of CEO by now. She understood the ins and outs of the business world. I heard her throw around words like, ‘NASDAQ’