5. One Question
Chapter five
One Question
Ever since that afternoon, Miko couldn't stop thinking about the conversation she had overheard.
Not because she was judging Meca.
Quite the opposite.
She was trying to understand something she had never thought about before.
She had friends from every walk of life.
She had never treated people differently because of who they loved.
But this felt different.
This wasn't a stranger.
This was Meca.
The same woman she laughed with every day.
The same woman who shared lunch with her.
The same woman who never seemed to have a bad word to say about anybody.
Yet somehow...
Miko knew almost nothing about her.
The following week, things returned to normal.
Work was busy.
The phones never stopped ringing.
People complained.
Deadlines came and went.
Miko kept telling herself she was going to forget what she heard.
She didn't.
Every now and then she'd catch herself looking at Meca and wondering if she should ask.
Then she'd immediately tell herself it wasn't her business.
One afternoon, Meca walked over carrying two cups of coffee.
"I grabbed you one."
Miko smiled.
"You know I was just about to go get one."
"I know."
"You know me that well already?"
Meca laughed.
"You've been talking about coffee since eight this morning."
Miko laughed so hard she almost spilled it.
"You've been paying attention."
"I pay attention to people I like."
The words were innocent.
Friendly.
But for some reason...
They stayed with Miko.
Later that afternoon, the office became unusually quiet.
Most of the staff had left for a meeting in another part of the building, leaving only a handful of people behind.
Miko and Meca continued working.
The silence felt comfortable.
Not awkward.
Comfortable.
After several minutes, Meca looked over.
"You alright?"
Miko didn't answer right away.
She stared at the paperwork in front of her before finally speaking.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
Miko hesitated.
"If it's too personal...you ain't gotta answer."
Meca leaned back in her chair.
"Okay."
Miko took a deep breath.
"I don't want you thinking I'm judging you."
"I won't."
"I've just been wondering about something."
Meca nodded.
"What is it?"
Miko looked directly at her.
"...Are you a lesbian?"
Silence filled the room.
Neither woman spoke.
Meca simply looked at Miko.
Then...
She smiled.