Effie didn''t want to offer Nita any of those empty, sugarcoated reassurances-the kind that went, "Your parents love you too, it''s just that your little brother needs more attention right now."


    Maybe deep down, that''s what Nita wished someone would say. After all, she''d never truly managed to break free from that kind of family. If she really didn''t care, she wouldn''t be hurting so much.


    But the harsher reality was, the more brutal life became, the clearer you had to see it. Otherwise, Nita''s family would drain her dry, body and soul.


    Effie grinned. "Well, in that case, just stop loving them. Give all your love to me instead! As your best friend, I promise I''ll look after you when we''re old and take care of you for the rest of your life."


    Nita let out a dramatic wail, then flung her arms around Effie, nuzzling her shoulder. "Guess I''ll have to count on my rich bestie, then!"


    "Anytime, babe." Effieughed.


    Nita joined in,ughing too. She looked bubbly and carefree, but Effie could see the ache behind her smile.


    Suddenly, Effie brightened. "Hey, why don''t we take a quick vacation tomorrow? Just the two of us."


    "A vacation? I don''t know. I have work tomorrow..."


    "It''s the weekend! Why are you even working? Is your boss some kind of ve driver? Seriously, I''ll call HR right now and file aint!"


    "No, no, please don''t!" Nita protested. "I really need this job. I finally made it to sales manager after all these years-I can''t just start over from scratch."


    "You''re still saving up for your family?"


    Nita shook her head. "Not anymore. I''ve given up on them. But all my savings went to them before, so now I''m broke and miserable. I want to save something for myself for a change."


    "One or two days won''t make a difference. Come on, you need a break. And if you''re short on cash, remember-you''ve got your loaded best friend right here."


    Nitaughed again. "Right! How could I forget about my rich bestie?"


    "So take a day off tomorrow. Come have some fun with me!"


    "Alright, you win."


    The next morning, Nita was up early and waiting outside Effie''s building, suitcase


    in tow. She''d even stopped to buy fresh pastries from the bakery downstairs: warm, golden, ky, and delicious.


    Not knowing whether Lyman liked them, she''d bought extra just in case.


    Effie and Lyman came downstairs to find Nita already waiting.


    "Nita, you''re here so early! We were just about to pick you up," Effie said, surprised.


    Nita shrugged. "Couldn''t sleep! It''s been ages since I went on vacation, so I figured I''de early."


    "Oh, and I brought you some of those pastries you love."


    Effie''s eyes lit up. "You got them from that little bakery downstairs? They''re my favorite-crispy and buttery. I could eat a dozen of these."


    "There''s plenty, so help yourself. And I brought some coffee too."


    "Thank you, sweetheart."


    Nita''s smile faltered for a split second. She leaned in and whispered, "Uh, you don''t have to call me ''sweetheart'' in front of your husband. He might get jealous."


    She''d tried to keep her voice down, but Lyman had still overheard. He smiled politely. "It''s alright-I don''t mind."


    "In that case, here, have a pastry." Nita handed him one.


    Lyman took it awkwardly. "Th-thanks."


    Nita noticed his hesitation-he didn''t seem all that interested. Suddenly, she realized: Lyman came from money; maybe he wasn''t into the simple stuff regr people liked.


    She hastily added, "Honestly, you don''t have to eat it if you don''t want to."


    Lyman nced over at Effie, who was already devouring her pastry with relish. "No, it''s fine. I want to try it too."


    If Effie liked it so much, then he figured he should at least give it a try.