Midtown West

Emma yawned, rubbing Thatcher gently between the ears as he purred next to her.  She had arrived nearly an hour ago at Cameron's apartment for a bit of house cleaning and to feed the kitten while he was away.  Of course, most of the time was actually spent cuddling Thatcher and watching TV -- cable was a luxury that she did not care much to indulge in on an everyday basis and so did not have it at home.  Unfortunately, when she did find herself in one of those rare instances that she had access to cable, she also ended up finding herself a living zombie.

Emma jumped, startled by the sudden ringing of her cellphone.  The abrupt movement sent Thatcher skittering off of the couch with a plaintive, accusing yowl and she spared him an apologetic glance as she reached over for the noisy electronic.  It was Julie.  "Hey!  How are you?"

"Hi! I'm good, how are you doing?"

Emma cradled the phone in her ear as she finally began the house cleaning she had originally arrived to do.  "Mm, could be worse."  She dug underneath the sink for the watering can and shoved it underneath the faucet.  "I'm at Cameron's.  House cleaning."

"Ha! You, domestic?"

"I know, right?"  She switched the phone to her other ear as she lifted the can to begin watering Cameron's plants.  "He's out of town for the week.  I figured it was the least I could do.  Though, to be honest, it's thanks to you that I'm getting anything done.  I was zoning out in front of the TV when you called."

"You're welcome!"

"So how are things," Emma drawled, pausing by the kitchen table.  "Adjusting to California?  I still can't believe you moved so far away!  I miss you!"

"I miss you too!  Cali is alright.  Weather is fantastic, but I think I'm more used to East coast hustle.  I'm still in a city, but it's no New York.  Though maybe it'd be different if I actually left the house once in awhile.  Rich is always at work and he's the one with the friends out here."

"I imagine a professional photographer would have quite the network."

"... Yeah," Julie muttered.  Emma could hear the scowl on her best friend's face.  "Models and important people -- let me tell you, I think they're all trained to be able to make you feel plain and insignificant."

"Julie, you're gorgeous!  Rich loves putting pictures of you up everywhere!"

"Pfft."  Emma imagined Julie waving her hand dismissively in the air.  "Let me tell you, it's not so much flattering as irritating when you're the only one being surrounded by pictures of yourself.  I'm the only one spending any time at home!"

Emma rolled her eyes, moving to pour the remaining liquid in the watering can into the sink.  "It probably just seems that way because you spend so much time there alone."

"True.  I can't wait until I find a job."

"I can't wait until I can come visit you!  Did I mention I miss you?"

"Emma, the wedding was not even a month ago, when we spent an entire week pretty much living and breathing each other.  And I only just moved out here last week.  Give me some time to live and breathe my actual significant other."

"I knew it, you're cheating on me!"

Julie laughed.  "You're a kook, you know that?  Anyway, the reason I called was to see if you received anymore packages for us."

"Uh," Emma faltered.