From behind Beouf’s glasses I saw eyes open wide in surprise. “That I did not know.” she said. “She didn’t mention it.”
“Probably didn’t get the chance,” I offered. In truth, Zoge might have been too embarrassed to bring it up.
Beouf exhaled. “Am I going to have to be checking my assistant’s diapers starting tomorrow?”
I shook my head. “Nope. She made the offer, but I let her off the hook. I just made her promise to never do it again.”
“Really?” Beouf sounded pleasantly surprised. “I wouldn’t have guessed. No offense.”
“None taken,” I said. “It was tempting.”
She stood up and walked around her desk. “I’ll bet. It’s not exact a secret that you’re uncomfortable around her.”
“It isn’t?”
“You’re not really a hard read, Clark.” Beouf rolled her eyes. She was smiling at least. “I see that look you get when Forrest gets up to her schtick.” She let out a disgusted sigh.
“Oh,” I piped up. “I’d have her pantsless and padded up in a second. No questions asked. She’d deserve it.”
Beouf was relaxing by the minute. “Do tell, Mr. Gibson.”
“There’s karma and there’s revenge,” I said. I thumbed to myself. “Me? I’m a karma guy.”
“That’s very mat…” Beouf stopped herself, catching her typical Amazon crazy before it spilled out. “That’s why I think we’re such good friends, Clark.”
I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. Now for the hard part. “Yeah. About that.” I said. Deep breath. “I’m sorry about this morning. I’m in the middle of…processing things, and I got angry.”
She shrugged. “I understand. I was in your room. Your space. You got angry. You walked away. It was the best thing you could do in the moment.”
“So you’re not mad?”
Beouf scoffed. “You bet I was mad!” her voice went up almost an octave. She laughed. “But I can be upset and still be your friend. And I’m over it if you are.”
“Still friends?” I asked.
“Always. Can I give you a hug?” She got down on one knee and opened her arms wide.
I huffed. Fine. “Sure.” I walked up and allowed her to hug me, only slightly afraid that when she stood up she’d snatch me up with her.
When she released me she said. “Thanks. I really needed that.”
Surprising myself, I said, “Yeah. Me too.”
In retrospect, I sometimes remind myself of moments like this one. I don’t think I’ve ever seriously expected to change the entire world. I’ve really just wanted small things. Meaningful things. Little things:
Like a hug from a trusted friend and confidant.
Or a sincere apology.
Or even an Amazon’s tears.