AND THEN THERE WAS ONE.

AND THEN THERE WAS ONE.
______

     Nordstrom was not the most ideal job for Indie Scott—labor of any sort she could truly care less for. Given the opportunity, she would leave in a heartbeat, but when the ultimatum administered by her parents was up for comparison, Indie appreciated the gig a bit more.

The service industry was complex; customers could be a lot, but the pay was great, and she also made commission, and for that—Indie would stick it out until something better came along.

"I just want to spend like a week out in New Orleans so that I can eat good and fuck on some niggas from the Magnolia," her co-worker Nori stated dreamily.

Indie let out a chuckle. She liked Nori. The two started the position around the same time: Indie, a fresh college dropout, and Nori, being new to the Camden area.

Originally from North Carolina, the twenty -two- year-old graced the Northeast two years ago.

Her child's father, Nien, was originally from Cherry Hill. Son to a Vietnamese mother and Black father. He moved down south in junior high, and the two met shortly after at the age of fourteen. Soon enough, a relationship was developed, and by nineteen, they were welcoming their baby girl, Noä, into the world.

A year into Noä's life, the decision to move back to South Jersey was pitched by Nien. Nori's relationship with her parents soured after she revealed her pregnancy, and with the way postpartum was treating her, she yearned for a fresh start.

Along the way, things took a turn with Nien. They were no longer together, but their co-parenting relationship was better than most. Healthy, to say the least. They were good friends before anything, and now family, given the child they shared, so they made it a priority to honor that.

"Them seventh-ward niggas really know how to fuck," Indie bent down with a smile spread along her face.

The classic bounce lyrics ignited something in the duo as they both broke out in a small twerk fest. Indie with her hands on her knees, and Nori propping her leg up on the stack of boxes before her.

A doorknob jiggled, and they froze in place. The knob continued to move for a few seconds before it halted, and the sound of heavy footsteps retreating shortly followed.

They laughed and gathered themselves. Monday's were normally slow, so they were in the back, working inventory today. Nori was on count, and Indie was documenting.

"Have you made any plans for your birthday yet?" Nori placed her foot down and straightened out her clothing.

"Girl no," Indie rolled her eyes. "Ivie wants to do a dinner, but I don't know; I'm not really feeling that."

"Have you guys always shared your celebrations?"

"Haven't missed one year," Indie equipped.

"Maybe you can split it with her. Dinner for Ivie to start and then end the night off with whatever you want to do."

Indie pulled her bottom lip in, contemplating. The idea wasn't bad at all. "I like that. We could...possibly. I'll talk to Vie."

"You better invite me, bitch."

Indie simply smirked. That was up in the air. Nori was likeable, yes. However, Indie's reservations towards other women were valid. She had been fueled by experience. The only friend she would ever fully trust was Ivie, and their being blood had a lot to do with that. So for now, Nori was simply a co-worker that she got along with.

"What are you doing for Thanksgiving?" Indie sat down on one of the unopened boxes.

"I'm taking Noä down south to see her grandparents."