Parting Ways

“In another twenty-five, then?” KL asked. He counted bills out onto the table, paying off their whole tab himself, as usual. Nobody knew where his money came from. He always evaded the question.

“I always hope for sooner,” Qui-Nok replied. She threw back the last of her margarita, her fourth of the evening. The others always found it amusing how much she drank, since it had no effect on her and she never ingested anything on any other occasion. Just part of the comradery.

“You know you are always welcome to visit,” Ssek said, his cheery tone in contrast with the deep sibilance of his voice. “I have plenty of room.” He made the offer every time they got together. They rarely took him up on it. A matter of schedule conflicts and a general distaste for moist caves miles beneath the earth.

“It's a shame we can't do this more often,” Wanda said. When KL began to speak, Wanda raised her hand to interrupt. “I know why. We're all so busy with our new duties and responsibilities. I'm barely on Earth more than once every few months now. Ssek is a clan leader now. Qui-Nok has her children to mind. You–” She pointed at KL. “I have no idea what you get up to, but you never answer your emails.”

“Sorry,” KL muttered, actually flushing.

“Twenty-five years seems to work,” Wanda continued. “So I say we just keep to it.”

“You know what's weird?” Qui-Nok said.

“Hm?” Wanda replied.

“Next reunion, we'll all be past five hundred.”

“Damn it, Qui”, Wanda said. “Now you're making me feel old.”