Free Going Nowhere by K. M. Galvin Page B

leaving here around five.”
    “Sounds good.” I lean back into my seat and close my eyes, relaxing completely.
    “So what are you up to for the rest of the day?”
    “Well I’ll probably go to the store and get something to make, probably a dessert to bring to Emily’s tonight.”
    “You don’t have to do that.”
    “Yeah, I do. I was brought up to never go to someone’s house without bringing anything.”
    “Well if I can make a request, I’m partial to carrot cake.” He grinned at me.
    “Do any of y’all have any allergies?” I asked, mentally cataloguing the ingredients I’d have to pick up.
    “Nope.”
    “Ok then, I guess I am off to the store to get the ingredients to make you a carrot cake.”
    “You’re making it from scratch? Not out of a box?” His eyes lit up.
    “Of course.” I stood up from the table and grabbed my purse. Jason stood up to walk me out.
    “You like to cook?”
    “Yes, sir. Looks like you’re not the only impressive one around here.” I said cockily, swaggering a little.
    “Oh my God, I’m salivating already. Fucking-A bring two. I want one for myself.” He said, smacking his lips and rubbing his flat stomach.
    I turn towards him at the door. “Deal, but only because you probably got me a job.”
    “Sweet.” He pulls me in for a quick hug and waits to close the door until I’m in my car and pulling out of my space. I wave and set off for the store, smiling to myself at how nice this entire morning turned out.
     

CHAPTER NINE
     
    The rest of my day was uneventful and while a week or so ago that would have driven me mad, I’m settling into a routine. I shrugged it on like a favorite coat and snuggled into it. I missed having a purpose, a reason to get out of bed.
    I also missed money.
    Though it wasn’t a permanent situation this would provide some security, financial and otherwise, while I figured some stuff out. When I got home from the grocery store I set out all the ingredients for later and sat down in front of my laptop and did something I hadn’t done in over the month that I had been home wallowing. I opened myself back up to the outside world.
    I checked my email and was immediately filled with guilt and shame at the number of emails I had left unanswered for too long. These were my friends, people I explored the beginning of adulthood with in college. It took me over two hours to respond to everyone.
    I didn’t go into great detail of what I was doing. Just left it at trying to figure some stuff out before I made my next move. It seemed I wasn’t the only one a little lost and while I knew that I wasn’t on my own little island of self-pity, it was both eye opening and comforting to know that some of my friends were going through the same things.
    No one prepares you to be yourself. There’s no course you can take for life.
    My fingers twitched with the energy my thoughts were invoking. I clicked open a blank Wo rd document and started writing. I dumped everything onto those pages and it lightened me. I had no idea how long I was at it, but I stopped when my fingers got stiff and my wrists began to hurt a little. Sitting back and I stared at my computer screen, exhausted yet satisfied. I saved the document under “Bitchfest” and checked my phone. Close to three hours had gone by, holy crap! I also had a text from Jase.
    How are my cakes coming along?
    I ate them.
    You’re funny.
    No, really, I ate them. I had to smell them the whole time, I couldn’t control myself, it was messy. I turned into a Cake Monster and devoured them in a fit of shame eating.
    U lie and what’s shame eating? NVM, I don’t want to know. You’ve got 2hrs, Betty Crocker. Get’s ta steppin’
    Don’t talk like that.
    Girl you’ trippin’
    Bye!
    Holla at ya later! :p
    “Wh at a dork.” I murmured, still smiling. I’ve never met a guy confortable enough in his masculinity to use emoticons. Checking the time, I saw that he was right; I only had two hours. Barely