Merriton

MiraMu: Emigration is a sucking pit of depression.

The phrase popped up on Randy’s SN Connector. He had been testing Bree’s social networking program, trying to make it break. Randy wanted to say he had been Bree’s first customer, but she had sold several hundred copies of the program before Randy had even heard about it. With as much testing as he did, he was impressed with her work.

Today, however, he was regretting that he had put in so many different people. Why? Why? Why? Had he added Mira to the list? He wanted to cover the phrase on his computer, but instead, he just minimized the program. Within seconds, it popped up again with an update from Nicole, but Mira’s cry to the world was right below hers, including her snapshot from her LinkedIn account. Randy minimized the window again and tried to concentrate on what Kevin was saying,

“…got divorced a couple of years ago. I had no idea he had three kids.”

Randy shook his head. “I’m sorry Kevin. Who got divorced?” Kevin laughed, while Sierra stuck another lotion in his face. “Smell this one. What do you think?” Kevin’s face crinkled in pain, “Jesus, Sierra! No! That smells BAD.” Sierra’s pained face tried to make the best of it. “Good bad or bad bad?” Kevin shook his head. “BAD BAD.” Then he turned back to Randy. “John. He used to be married to some girl everyone calls A.S. She’s actually the mayor of Merriton. Did you know that?”

Kevin smelled another sample of lotion. “Now THIS one is good! I like this one.” Sierra shook her head, “Yeah, everyone likes that one.” Kevin read the label out loud, “Fresh Grass. Isn’t that the one that Bree likes so much?” Sierra nodded.

SN Connector popped up again with an update from Jerry, bragging about how great things are at Zaunter. Mira’s professional photograph was still staring at him, “Emigration is a sucking pit of depression.” Was that the same Emigration just north of Merriton? It couldn’t be. Randy minimized the window and was grateful that Sierra was keeping Kevin away from his computer.

Randy commented, “I heard that the mayor of Merriton was some old guy in Florida.” Kevin’s attention was on the lotions, but he was happy to gossip. “That’s Tort. He used to be the mayor, but he retired. No one wanted to be mayor, so it got dumped on A.S. She doesn’t want it and she’s a little busy raising John’s three kids, so Tort is coming back.” Kevin leaned in and almost whispered the next tidbit. “I heard that Elvis called him.” He nodded as if it was a big secret.

The window on Randy’s screen popped up again with an update from Jerry bragging about a seminar he’s teaching. Three lines down, was Mira’s face, begging Randy to answer. God, I’ve got to tell Sierra. Randy couldn’t think of a way to tell her without letting Kevin know. He looked up desperately and their eyes met. He felt overwhelmed with gratitude when she immediately knew there was a problem and walked over to him. Randy pointed at Mira’s LinkedIn update and the two of them exchanged a knowing look. Sierra walked over to the front door. “I’m going to check on the goats.” She pulled on her boots and left Randy listening to Kevin’s gossip.