Free Love Me ~ Through the Storm by Renee Kennedy Page B

probably be Lizzie’s before long, too,” Bailey says.
    “Not now, Bay,” Lizzie warns.
    “That’s all.” I tell them. I’m not sure what all that was about but it sounds like there’s another wedding coming soon. I’ve got too much going on right now to even contemplate that.
    “Okay then, call me if you need me,” Bailey says.
    “Me, too,” Lizzie echoes.
    “Thanks, I love you, guys.”
    “Love you, too, Oakley,” Lizzie says.
    “Me, too.” Bailey adds.
    “I’m driving down the interstate now. I probably don’t need to be on the phone. I’ll text you guys later, okay?”
    “Okay, talk to you then,” Lizzie says.
    “Bye, Oakley, hang in there,” Bailey adds.
    “Bye.” I hang up and feel even more exhausted and confused than before . Thanks a lot, guys.
    Pulling into the parking lot of the dorms, I see Keith walking out of my building. I hop out of the car and call out to get his attention.
    “Hey, Oakley, what’s going on? Are you feeling better? Sandy said you had a stomach bug the other night.”
    “Yeah I do. What are you up to?”
    “I’m headed to get some grub. Are you hungry?”
    “I just ate enough cookies that I’m probably not going to be able to eat for days.” I laugh.
    “Come with me while I eat then. Corbin was supposed to hang out with me tonight but he’s bumping the nasties with Sandy.”
    “I’ll go with you because I don’t want to be in the next room and hear their business going on.” I scrunch up my nose.
    “Alright then,” Keith smiles and motions me to his car. “I’ll have to eat the pizza myself, but I’ll have good company.”
    He’s a nice guy, I’m glad he’s giving me a chance to be his friend. I thought I blew it with everyone Friday night. Sounds like I owe Sandy a thank you for covering for me.
    “Nice car,” I tell him. Mom always joked that guys normally treated their cars better than their women. I think there’s a little bit of truth in that.
    “Thanks.” He walks around and opens the door for me.
    I give him a suspicious glance then eye the door.
    “I haven’t forgotten that you have a boyfriend, but this is a habit for me.” He points between himself and the door. “We’re just friends, Oakley.”
    I laugh because he read my mind. He cracks me up, and I like that. I need a comedic break right now from all of the stress. I’m happy to be adding him to my list of friends. I can feel that I’m turning my shitty life around. What better way to get out of a funk than to be around friends . Thank you, God, for sending me a friend tonight.
    Keith keeps me laughing all through his pizza. I even eat a slice. His friendly nature puts me at ease. “When does your boyfriend get back? I want to meet him.”
    “He’s not coming back. He decided that college wasn’t for him and joined the military earlier than he anticipated.”
    “Bummer. What does that mean for you guys?”
    “I haven’t decided.” I lean across the table and say, “Is that crazy? It’s like he makes this huge life decision without me then expects me to drop everything and follow him. One minute, I thought we were in love, the next, I’m wondering if I ever was.”
    “That’s fucked up crazy shit. I’ve been told if you question your feelings for someone, like you are doing right now, then it’s not love. My dad is always,” he changes the tone of his voice, “Son, if you have to question your feelings about someone then it’s not love. When it’s love, you just know it.” He takes the napkin and wipes his mouth.
    “I never thought about love in that way, that’s an interesting way to view it. It makes sense really, your dad sounds like a smart guy.”
    He wads up the towel and tosses it on the table. “Ah, he was probably just steering me away from the girl I was dating. She was driving my mom crazy, which drove dad crazy. I’m sure it was for his own sanity. He makes up shit as he goes along to fit whatever he’s trying to sell me on that day.