Lena Loves Again

11

"Oh, so you were wealthy wealthy." I nodded. "So you were loaded way before you profited from this company."

"If that's how you view it." She shrugged.

"But, it's very nice of your other husband to fund your dream company. He sounds like such a nice guy to give you complete access to his account."

"Sure." Lena rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't exactly call him nice."

"Really? Even though you used his money?"

"Giving someone money doesn't equate to their treatment of you." She averted her eyes. "If I could have, I'd never have married him."

"I see." I nodded. "But, two late husbands? What are you? A black widow?" We both laughed at that.

"Death seems to follow wherever I go." Lena shook her head in amusement. "Enough about me. Tell me about you."

"What's their to tell?" I nervously sipped my water. "I'm not that interesting."

"I disagree with that statement. What about your family? Any siblings?"

"I have a younger brother. He's 9 and I love him. His name is Cole and he's insane."I giggled. "He's super hyper and loves to run around. But, he's obsessed with video games and forces me to play FNAF with him-"

"FNAF?"

"Five Nights At Freddy's."

"What that?"

"Oh, we're playing that next time." I deviously rubbed my hands. "And he likes to dress up in weird costumes, run around the house, and then jump on me." I thought about that little rascal. "And I'm his point person for homework help. I enjoy science and math, but history is way too boring."

"Your relationship with him sounds cute." Lena fondly smiled at me. "You're like his second mother."

"In a sense." I shrugged. "My mom works weird hours, so sometimes she's not around. Not because she's neglectful or anything."

"What does she do?" Lena placed a cookie in her mouth.

"She's a nurse."

"Oh wow." Her eyes popped. "That's impressive. A front liner in the medical field. She has my respect."

"You act as if you're not curing millions." I rolled my eyes.

"But, I don't have to deal with the hectic sick patients like she does." Lena pointed out. "She's incredible."

"She is." I smiled. "And then my dad is unpredictable with his work schedule. He has to work late some times." I stopped because I didn't want to reveal too much about him.

"Oh, what does he do?" She continued eating.

"He works for a company as a consultant." I vaguely spoke.

"That's cool." Lena continued chewing. "And what got you interested in pharma?"

"Love chemistry and biology. Biochem is my favorite class. I always wanted to do something that involves genetically engineering cells. Wouldn't it be cool to design cells? Not necessarily designer babies, but designer babies."

"Oh, you're into that?" She laughed. "I think the theory behind it is interesting, but not something I'd follow through with."

"That's interesting to hear from someone like you. Someone who is at the forefront of genetic testing." I stopped to breathe. "But, ya. I've always been fascinated by it. Genetic testing and modification. Also, my favorite chemist was Rosalind Franklin. Her work in X-ray crystallography was central to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, viruses, coal, and graphite. Talk about girl power right?!"

"Exactly."

"And my second fav is my boy Fred. He was a geneticist known for his discovery of stem cells in the adult human brain. And stem cells are so cool, yet so controversial."

"You're into the controversial stuff?" Lena was amused. "Hmm... you'll definitely be interested in some of our experiments then."

"Ya, but that peaked my interest in elementary school. I may or may not have read their Pulitzer papers when I was 9."

"So you're a child genius, then."Lena raised a brow.

"No. I'm not-"

"What's your IQ?" Lena questioned. "And I know you're the type to actually take the test."

"189." I mumbled.

"You're a Mensa member, are you not?" I nodded at her. "I knew there was something special about you." Lena smiled to herself. "And I enjoy you geeking out over scientific principles. It reminds me of someone I used to know."

"But, anyway I'm happy that school is almost over. Gonna graduate soon, so can't wait."

"Oh, yes. Hailey mentioned you were still in high school."

"Oh, Hailey stalked me." I snickered.

"Well, she's in charge of financial planning, so she needs to know how to budget based on the expense reports from each department. She's also very good with names."

"Ahh, yes. Her 'eidetic memory.' She mentioned that." I laughed, but Lena furrowed her brows.

"She told you that?" She placed her drink down.

"Oh, ya." I laughed. "So what about your memory? Good or shit?"

"Haven't tested the full range of it." Lena then gestured for me to continue.

"I have to apply for colleges, so gotta finish those applications."

"Right, you can't wait to live like a real adult." She snickered.

"Well, it'll be a while before I can do that legally." I shrugged.

"What do you mean?"

"I have to be 18 to be an adult. I barely turned 16."

The moment I said that, it's like you could hear a pin drop. The atmosphere changed and Lena's mouth dropped open. Did I say something wrong? Lena picked up her glass of scotch and downed it. Umm... am I missing something? Lena stood up and grabbed her stuff.

"You're 16?" Lena paused while grabbing her coat. "16?"

"Ya." I didn't understand the problem.

"You're underage." Lena took a moment to gather herself. "Oh, god."

"What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing." She shook her head. "I'll take you home."

What's wrong? Lena gestured for me to follow her. We went to her car and the drive was awkward. Lena focused on the road and refused to remove her eyes from the road. We didn't talk like we normally did. And the music was off. This is so awkward. And this ride wasn't short, so I was praying that she could just get to my house. After what felt like forever, we finally arrived. Lena put the car in park as I gathered my stuff. Before I could leave, she placed a hand on my arm.

"Umm... if you could refrain from telling people about our... our after work chats."

"I haven't told a single soul." I narrowed my eyes at her. "If you didn't trust me, you shouldn't have asked to continue speaking with me."

"I never said-"

"I'm not an idiot. The relationship changed. You're gonna push me away, aren't you?"

"I never said-"

"You didn't have to. Thank you and goodbye, Alena." I made sure to use her full name before slamming her car door closed.