Free Crossing Paths by Melanie Stinnett

point that I’m not sure he’ll be awake in two minutes. I bet he won’t even remember this conversation.
    James and I walk across the paved stones, retracing our steps to the driveway.
    “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow then,” James says, walking toward his gray van.
    “Actually, I need to ask you for a favor.”
    “Sure, what do you need? Is everything okay?”
    Man, he is such a good guy. He’s always worried about everyone else, and he would do anything for anybody. I’m grateful for friends like him. This really sucks.
    “Oh, yeah, everything is fine. It’s just…well, I met this girl, and I sort of gave away your ticket to the baseball game tomorrow.”
    “You did what?”
    “Listen, if you still want to go, I can just buy us tickets and sit with her somewhere else.”
    “You’re serious! Who is this girl? Do I know her?”
    “Just a girl I met last weekend.”
    “You must think a little bit of her to start ditching your friends.”
    “I know, it’s a dick move. I took her to the charity event tonight, and when we were saying good night, it just came out. I didn’t mean to invite her.”
    “Let me guess. You were just trying to figure out another time you could hang out with her, and the baseball game was the first thing that came to mind.”
    I look up at him sheepishly.
    “Hey, I understand. When Lindsey and I met, you guys wouldn’t lay off, but I didn’t care. I knew she was it for me, so it was all worth it. I hope she’s it for you, man.” He gives me a pat on the back and begins walking away toward his van. “I do expect some payback though. Tomorrow’s game is supposed to be good.”
    “The tickets for the next game are all yours!” I shout after him.
    Although it’ll be rough not having James around to corral Eli at the game, I definitely made the right choice. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I lean my head back against the headrest and think about having another few hours with Caroline. I didn’t even ask her if she likes sports. With her beautiful body and bright eyes distracting me, I know I won’t be paying much attention to the game. The big question is, How will Eli react when I show up with Caroline instead of James?

Friday
    Standing in the driveway of my parents’ house, I wonder how to get these flowers to my bedroom without being noticed. It reminds me of playing Mario Brothers with my brother when I was little. He always knew all the tricks, and I was stuck running right through the middle of every trap and disaster. Now, the only difference is that instead of losing fake lives, I’ll lose my sanity if my mother finds out a guy sent me flowers.
    I should have left them at the apartment since we’ll be at the lake until Sunday, but I wanted a chance to enjoy these beautiful peonies even if it is just during the brief ride between here and my place. And, okay, I’ll admit that a little reminder of the hot guy who sent them isn’t such a bad thing either.
    Grabbing my weekend bag in one hand and the vase of flowers in the other, I head for the side door. I somehow avoid interactions with human beings, but when I reach the stairs, I have to concentrate as our pet horse tries to plow me over. Okay, so he’s not a horse, but geez, could my parents have chosen a bigger dog?
    I climb the stairs to my childhood room and struggle to turn the doorknob. While trying to open my bedroom door, I realize that I probably should have left my weekend bag at the foot of the stairs. Using my hip along with the heel of my hand, it finally pops open.
    This room has changed many times over the years while I was growing up, but since I left, it’s become my mom’s personal shrine. Pillows are propped up against the headboard, framed pictures from high school are scattered on every available surface, and my desk chair is set askew as if I’m about to sit down and begin my homework.
    I set the flowers down on my nightstand and step back to admire them for a moment. As I let a smile