“What is Newt wanting now?” Zoe asked herself as she opened the message she just received. “A link to a social media site.”

Zoe opened the link and browsed the posts and pictures. She noticed a theme amongst the people in the pictures. Sure, they were all couriers, but they all also wore nothing but synthetic leather.

Zoe plopped onto her couch and looked at the skyline. A smile grew on her face. “I do love this view.”

Zoe turned her thoughts and attention back to the site. She also started thinking about her coworkers and friends. They all wore mostly synthetic leather too.

“Even when we went out clubbing, we wore synthetic leather. I need to expand my wardrobe!” Zoe muttered to herself and coming to a quick decision.

She started searching for more riding gear. She decided it needed to be as practical as her synthetic leather, but a different fabric. Maybe something with brighter colors too. Zoe set her Allegro to searching the net for interesting clothing that would meet her wants and needs.

Zoe then checked her messages and saw the grocery order would be delivered at 9am and that she could modify the order for another half hour. She checked the order again. She bit her lip in thought. If Terr and TK showed up for breakfast, they would probably eat a dozen eggs by themselves. So, Zoe shrugged and added another dozen eggs to the order. If they didn’t show up, she would eat the eggs in time anyway.

“It’s time to fix my bedding and take a bath,” Zoe told herself. She keyed the houseboat’s locks and activated the security system. Zoe left the shutters open. She stood and headed to her bedroom. A call came in and Zoe accepted it. She listened for a moment.

“Oops! We got sidetracked. I promise I’ll show you the scanner app Monday morning,” Zoe said.

“What if I want to come to breakfast tomorrow?” TK asked as Zoe entered the bedroom.

“Who said you were invited?”

“I never turn down free food and you owe Terr and myself for helping you move in,” TK replied. Zoe found the correct bedsheet and started unfolding it.

“Fine. I’ll show it to you tomorrow morning,” Zoe said.

“Thanks! I’ll be sure to tell Terr he can come tomorrow too,” TK said before hanging up.

“I’m glad I ordered that second dozen eggs now,” Zoe muttered as she started putting the sheets on the mattress.

*

Zoe woke at six Sunday morning and stretched. She smiled to herself and decided she needed to send Tiffany a thank you note for the bed. It was the most comfortable bed she had ever slept in. Zoe sent the marina day manager the note as she got dressed for a run.

Zoe walked out onto the larger deck, which she considered her back porch and sighed in relief as her Kaisers filtered out the bright sunlight reflecting off the river. Zoe grinned and started playing some music. She performed a few stretches to warm up her muscles before walking through the little gate and shutting it.

Zoe was a little surprised as she spotted some of her new neighbors up and about. She didn’t think most city folk were early risers. A few were watching her from their decks as she started jogging down the pier. She decided they must be curious. Wanting to be friendly, Zoe waved and greeted them. Some of them returned the waves and/or greetings. Others ignored her. Zoe shrugged and decided that was normal behavior as she keyed the pier’s gate.

*

Zoe was just passing the basketball courts and playground along Riverside Drive when the smell of fresh baked bread hit her. A gentle breeze was blowing out of the east. Zoe realized she was near Riverside Bakery and Café.

Zoe hadn’t ordered bread with her groceries since she had considered making biscuits but deciding the smell of the fresh bread was too irresistible, she pulled up the bakery’s site to make sure they did sell it to the public instead of just making it for the café’s use. Zoe jogged to the crosswalk and waited for the light to change. She decided didn’t want risk getting a ticket for jaywalking as her software spotted a camera on a nearby building facing the crosswalk and a drone flying overhead.

*

There was a long line when Zoe entered the bakery. She pulled up her alternate riding gear search results. Zoe had fallen asleep before she could check them last night. A lot of the clothing was made from lycra and other synthetic fabrics. The person behind Zoe cleared their throat.

Zoe looked up and walked forward. She hadn’t realized the line had moved. She glanced over her shoulder and apologized. The woman grinned and waved away the apology saying something about losing herself in her work all the time too. Zoe checked her angel and found a setting that allowed her to set the range of how close a person could be before it alerted her. A quick and dirty coding addition allowed her to set the angel to notify her if a person moved out of the proximity setting. Zoe grinned to herself and returned to her clothing search results.

“Oh! Denim,” Zoe quietly muttered to herself after spotting a reenforced and padded jean jacket. After reading the description, Zoe noted the jacket had all the same features as her synthetic leather one, except it was real denim. Zoe decided she really liked the jean jacket. She blanched after seeing the price though.

The jacket was 750 credits. Zoe stepped forward after her angel pinged her. She added the jacket to her cart before she could talk herself out of it. Her search and the shopping app she were using quickly showed her several pairs of real denim riding jeans that matched the synthetic leather ones she had bought before. Some were even blue jeans. All were 100 credits more than the older ones were. Four pairs went into her cart. Zoe checked out and paid the extra 50 credits for an afternoon delivery to her boathouse as she finally arrived at the counter.

“Hi.”

“Hey,” the man at the counter replied. “Know what you want?”

“A loaf of whole wheat bread and a half dozen of the muffins of the day,” Zoe answered. She spotted something else on the menu that drew her attention. “Oh! Add a dozen cinnamon buns too.”

“The cinnamon buns are one of my favorites,” the waiter replied giving Zoe a smile. “Just a minute and your order will be ready.”

*

Zoe was standing waiting for the light at the crosswalk and frowned. She spotted Tommy Romano and a rather large, but not bright looking guy with him across the street. Tommy turned and grinned when he saw Zoe.

“Zoe! It’s good to see you so early,” Tommy shouted and started walking towards her. The goon followed him. Well, he might not have been a goon, but Zoe considered him one.

“Hi Tommy. I need to get home,” Zoe said as the light changed and the cross walk

“You’re a long way from Brooklyn. Weren’t you living with Jimmy and his mother?” Tommy said.

“Things changed and I moved out,” Zoe replied.

“Louie, take the lady’s bag,” Tommy said to the goon.

“That’s not necessary,” Zoe said trying to grip the bag of baked goods tighter without damaging anything.

“I insist,” Louie replied taking the bag from her easily. “The bread and whatever else is in here smells great.”

“Anyway, I’ve found out you’ve moved into the marina,” Tommy said.

“I should kill Jimmy,” Zoe said under her breath.

“Don’t blame your cousin. He did mention that you had moved out, but we found out where you moved to. You can’t hide from the family,” Tommy said.

“What do you want Tommy?” Zoe asked. She was already tired of whatever game he was playing.

“Just for you to pay what you owe Mr Capone.”

“I’ll pay what I owe in time.”

“See that’s where we have a problem. You’re spending more credits on frivolous things than you should.”

“I’m not wasting money,” Zoe protested not thinking about the credits she just spent to update her wardrobe.

“I’m just here to remind you, that’s all,” Tommy replied.

“Ok. You’ve done your job.”

“No. This is me doing my job,” Tommy countered before punching Zoe in the stomach.

“Oof!” The young woman gasped as the wind was knocked out of her. Zoe fell to her knees bent over. Tommy grabbed a handful of hair and pulled Zoe up.

“This is the only friendly reminder you’ll be given. You’ll make a payment by Friday or next time I’ll have Louie break something,” Tommy said. “Do you understand?”

Zoe nodded since she was unable to speak. Tommy let go of her hair and Zoe collapsed to the ground. He waved Louie to follow.

“What about this stuff?” the large man asked.

“Leave it!”

“Here you go,” Louie said to Zoe setting the bag down beside her. He straightened and followed his boss.

“What is it with people hitting me in the stomach?” Zoe asked herself. Her angel pinged her that someone was closing in on her.

“Are you alright?” someone asked.

“Not really.”

“That’s good,” the man replied not paying attention to her. He suddenly snatched up her bag and took off running.

“No way!” Zoe exclaimed as she stared at the obviously homeless man running away with her food.

Zoe regained the rest of her breath and stood. She brushed herself off as the tears started falling. Zoe sent a message cancelling the breakfast to the others as she started walking home.

Zoe walked through her houseboat without really seeing it and made her way down to the bedroom. She grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt along with a change of underwear and walked into her bathroom. She emerged a few minutes later. Her hair was still wet, but she enjoyed the feeling on the back of her neck. Zoe walked into the living room and collapsed on the couch. She pulled her knees up and into her chest. Zoe lost track of time as she simply stared at the skyline.