Free Inconsolable by Amanda Lanclos Page A

once a month and talks to Savannah.
    “I felt like I always do.  I felt like a coward and like I should have been able to see what was coming.  I was the smart one.  I should have known.” 
    “We all feel that way when something bad happens,Blake.  It doesn’t make you a coward.  It makes you human.”
    “Yeah, well I wish I could change it.”
    “Have you considered going to the guy’s graves? You weren’t able to attend the funerals. Maybe if you do this it will give you some closure. Take Carter with you. Maybe it’s something you two can do it together?” She takes her glasses off,puts her notebook down and stands up.
    “Maybe we can do that.  I just want to be able to live again.  To have a life, have a relationship and not have to worry about scaring the poor woman to death when I wake up screaming in the middle of the night.” 
    “The right woman will understand though.” She gives me a sad smile and puts her hand on my shoulder. “You are doing so much better than you think,Blake. Keep talking to me about what you went through and before you know it you’ll be able to live a more normal life. The triggers won’t have as much of an effect on you anymore.”
    “Thanks Savannah. I’m sorry for being such an asshole the first time we met.”
    “Don’t be. You all are like that in the beginning. Your Uncle Trey was the worst by far,” she gives a chuckle and walks me to the door. “I’ll see you next week?”
    “Yep.”
    “How is the medicine helping?”
    “It’s okay.” Yeah, I never even got it filled. I am not crazy and I am not going to take the medicine.
    “Don’t lie to me. I really think you should give it a chance. It will help youand then you won’t need the alcohol to help you.”
    “Fine, I’ll go get it filled tonight.”
    “Good. See you in a week,” she smiles and shuts the door .
    I walk down the stairs and jump into my car.  I guess now it’s time to go to the pharmacy.  I hear a ding and look down to see a text from Anna.  I laugh as I look down to see her covered in flour with a message that read: Don’t ever cook with Mary-Beth.   I love getting these messages from Anna.  They seem to be the sunshine in my darkest hours.
     

 

    It’s been three weeks since Mary-Beth left Jamesonand three weeks since I met Blake that day in the coffee shop.  I think I really am starting to like him, a lot.  I always wondered when my time would come and I think he may be the one.  I never really dated much in high school.Mason always took pity on my by being my date to all the dances.  I hear Barb and Diane in the other room cutting up with their clients being typical Barb and Diane, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. 
    I hear the door chime and I walk into the waiting area to see if I can help the person. I look over the guy with the sunglasses and backward LSU baseball cap. I look over his blue American Eagle shirt and his matching jeans, then down to the dark Doc Martens on his feet. Who is this guy?
    “Hi, can I help you?”
    “Well, I hope so.  I was in town and was wondering if you’d come meet me for lunch.”
    Ummm, what? I don’t know this guy. He slides his sunglasses up and I smile when I realize its Blake. I walk around the desk and give him a big hug when Barb comes out the room.
    “Lord Diane! You owe me twenty! The girl is hugging some boyand I don’t think she has a brother!”  I roll my eyes as Blake tries to stifle the laugh brewing in his chest.  I can’t help but laugh loudly when Diane comes running out of the room with shears and comb in hand. 
    “Say what?  Oh, Anna honey, you keeping secrets from us ladies now?  That’s no fair.  This fine young man should never be kept hidden,” she says as she eyes Blake up and down. 
    “Can we get out of here?”  Blake leans down and whispers in my ear.I just shake my head yes. He leadsme to this black Range Rover and opens the door for me. 
    “So Blake, what are you doing