From this day forward

 

Honestly, Shelly didn't want to rely on Odin for everything. She couldn't help but live in her office these days. Although, that was quite a feat with so many books in her cluttered space in the back of the shop.

Sometimes, she found herself practically lost at sea. Except, it was books piled around her and everything else she'd accumulated along the way. She'd catch herself staring at her cluttered world, imagining the worst. 

She nursed her bottom lip wondering what it would be? A landslide? Maybe a fire would break out. Then what? Yes, her life was a mess. And if that wasn't enough, she was full of envy with Kate and that layabout of hers. Did they even have jobs? She didn't dare tell anyone of her woes.

Funny, how Mia and Odin both showed up at the same time. It was late in the evening. Odin came to rescue her. Mia was there to let her know she'd found some help that might help get the shop in order. She did have connections after all.

"Then let's have a bite to eat," Odin grinned as if the sooner they could get Shelly away from the shop the better off she would be. After all, it was nightfall.

Shelly hesitated. She'd vowed this was her only home, but here the two of them were doing their best to prod her along. Naturally, they didn't know each other. It wasn't until after she locked up that she introduced him. She just assumed they knew who each other was to her. After all, Mia said she never shut up about Odin while they were at their lunches, and sometimes Odin told her that she spoke of Mia in her sleep.

Shelly looked at both of them now. Mia carried her satchel with her laptop and Odin carried her little backpack of necessities. Yes, they must have been the two of the most influential people in her life. They each looped their arm around hers and off they went as if they might have a rainbow road to find.

"Where shall we go?" Odin asked first.

"What does it matter?" Shelly was of course down on her luck. A biscuit would do as far as she was concerned.

"Let's go to that place that serves the lovely French wine," Mia said. "My treat."

"Oh, I dunno." Shelly batted her thick lashes as if she wasn't hungry, but of course, her stomach grumbled.

"Oh, come on," Odin said he was game. "A nice steak would do you good."

Shelly only made a face that she just couldn't.

Just then on the next block was Stu waiting to cross the street toward them.

"Hey, mate!" He waved with a bright smile.

"Where you going, bloke?" Odin of course was happy to see his best mate. "It's been ages!"

"No, it hasn't." Shelly hadn't meant to lash out, but was it taking a toll on Odin to spend these days with her?

"Right!" Odin smiled looking down at Shelly her arm wrapped around his. He petted the top of her head as if who was loyal now? He went on to introduce Stu to Mia. It was a bit tepid. Shelly wanted to be indoors.

"Want to join us?" Odin asked as if they best get on their merry way. 

Shelly noticed that look in Stu's eyes as he looked back a Mia. His smile was quite silly, she thought. Naturally, he said sure.

Shelly sighed but didn't dare let it slip that this could be a bad idea.