Free I Remember (Remembrance Series) by Cynthia P. O'Neill Page B

conversationalist.”
    “Don’t worry about that. I just needed to hear your voice, to know you’re safe. Where are you?”
    “I’m on my way back to Deland.” I couldn’t believe I let that piece of information slip.
    I wanted to change the subject. “What are you doing today?”
    “I am at the Convention Center for the Technology and Wireless Expo. I didn’t have anything to fill my Valentine’s, so I came out here and have been walking around bored, hoping you would call. Then I got a notification that I had an email. I read your message and called immediately.”
    “I don’t need a pity call,” I said, vehemently.
    He took a deep breath “While I feel for your situation and wish I could do something to help remedy things, I am calling because I have felt lost the past couple of days not being able to talk with you. I’ve missed your voice, terribly.
    “By the way, you are breathtaking. You look exactly as I had pictured you in my dreams.”
    I could feel the blush spread across my face. “You’re not so bad yourself,” I said, giggling. “I don’t know what the future holds but I do know I already consider you a close friend. One I would like to get to know better. And I meant it when I said if you need me, don’t hesitate to call. I will be there for you.”
    I didn’t know quite how to respond with all this forthcoming honesty.
    “Jordan? Are you still there?”
    Tears began to flow freely and after a moment I finally found my voice. “Yes.”
    “Oh, no, …please say I haven’t made you cry.” He sounded scared.
    “Sorry, I am just so overwhelmed right now with my dad and your words. This is just not a good time to start anything, Gregory.” There, I said it, honest and to the point.
    “Your family is priority. I get that and respect it. It is as it should be. Enjoy the time you have with your family. I just wanted you to know I care for you as a friend, maybe more, but we will take things at the pace you need.”
    “Did anyone ever tell you that you are too…” Before I could complete the sentence, the phone died.
    Great, now he is going to think I freaked and hung up on him. I grabbed the car charger and plugged it in, hoping I could get it to come back on in a few minutes.
    As soon as the phone had enough power to turn back on, it registered five missed calls. Before I could even look who had called, it was ringing.
    “Hello?”
    Gregory’s voice was panicked. “Are you all right?”
    “I’m fine, my phone died.”
    “Did you charge the battery?”
    “Yes, plus I just purchased a new battery; but it doesn’t want to hold a charge, anymore. I guess I need to find some time to get a new phone.”
    “Jordan, can I ask you to please consider doing me a favor?” His voice was sincere.
    “That depends on what you are asking.”
    “Let me send you an extra phone I have. I’m not using it and it won’t cost anything. It’s an extra employee line of mine. Before you say, ‘no’, just hear me out. I really enjoy talking with you and understand that our timing isn’t the greatest, right now. I’m guessing your parents don’t like the idea of you commuting and neither do I, but I understand why. You need a phone that is safe and reliable while you’re on the road. Plus, you don’t need to worry with taking precious time away from your family to find one to your liking.
    “I would loan the phone to any friend in need and I expect nothing in return. It will be a means of communication with your family, with me, and to keep you safe on the roadway. Ok?”
    Gregory’s words made sense. “If I knew you better, I might say, ‘yes’, but I don’t know.”
    “I could send the phone to the hospital, to your workplace, to your parent’s house or your current address. Just let me help you. I want to keep you safe and get the chance to know you better.
    “Please listen to your heart, Jordan, and think about the safety and communication issues I’m talking about. As for me,