Nila's Hope by Kathleen Friesen

before .
    Nila nodded but said nothing.
    Hayley linked her arm through Nila’s. “So,” she said, “what’s he really like? I can just imagine working side by side, bumping into him every now and then. Mm-mm.” She licked her full lips suggestively.
    Nila stepped back, dislodging Hayley’s grasp. She struggled to keep her voice even. “Will is my co-worker and friend. Now, what were you hoping to change in here?”
    Hayley raised her eyebrows, but she crossed to her closet doors and opened them with a flourish. More clothes than Nila had owned in her entire life crammed the six-foot space.
    “Look at this. There’s not nearly enough room.” Hayley left the doors open and crossed to another door. “Go on in,” she urged.
    Nila obediently opened the door to the en-suite bathroom, which was finished with blue tile countertop, white cabinetry, a large, white-framed mirror, and a tub/shower combination surrounded by blue and white tiles.
    “Hideous, isn’t it?” Hayley’s voice startled her. “I want it all torn out.”
    Nila clamped down on her lip. She took a deep, slow breath before responding. “You don’t like it?”
    “Of course not. Those tiles are horrid, and the whole space is way too small. Follow me.”
    She led Nila into the bedroom next to the master. “I don’t need this one, even if I end up with a roommate. There’s another bedroom at the end of the hall.”
    She grabbed Nila’s arm and drew her close as though they were best friends. “Can’t you just see it? We can knock down that wall and turn this room into a combination walk-in closet and master bath. A real master bath with separate shower and tub. I love those freestanding tubs. And double sinks over there, and a heated floor, and…”
    “Hayley, do you have any idea what that would cost?” Nila tried to pull away discreetly, but Hayley drew her even closer.
    “No, and I don’t care. I’ll get the money.” She smiled again, but it seemed more brittle than bright. “Daddy likes to keep his little girl happy and out of his hair.”
    “Oh.” Nila pulled away, ignoring Hayley’s frown. She tilted her head, puzzled. “Are you sure Will said we’d do this job?”
    Hayley inspected her reflection in the mirror and fluffed her hair. “Don’t you believe me?”
    Nila bit her lower lip. “I’m just surprised. Maybe he did phone Daniel about it. Although I can’t imagine why…”
    “We’ll talk about it later, OK? All of a sudden, I’m really hungry. How about you?”
    Nila hesitated. “If you want me to draw up some plans, I’ll need to take measurements. Would you mind holding the end of the tape?”
    Hayley grabbed the tape without a word.
    But something in her expression made Nila hesitate. And wonder.
     
     
     
     

12
     
    Nila gripped the arm rest as Hayley drove to her favorite pizza place. The younger woman chatted nonstop, sometimes taking both hands off the steering wheel in an enthusiastic gesture.
    “Watch out!” Nila cringed as the car swerved toward a parked truck.
    “Oops. Sorry. So what do you think?”
    She’d been too distracted by Hayley’s carelessness to follow her chatter. “Um, about what?”
    Hayley zipped into the last open parking spot ahead of a waiting minivan and frowned at Nila. “You weren’t listening, were you?”
    Nila looked away. “Your driving made me nervous.”
    Hayley rolled her eyes. “I didn’t realize you were such a wimp. We got here, didn’t we?” She opened the door and slid out. “I’ll bet you drive like an old lady.” She headed toward the restaurant without another glance at her guest.
    Nila followed a few steps behind, nibbling her lower lip. Her shoulders wanted to hunch, but she forced herself to hold her head high.
    Hayley headed straight for a booth near the back of the pizzeria and signalled for a waitress as she sat down. She leaned forward as Nila sat. “Do you know what you want, or do you need a menu?”
    “I’ve never been here before.