Free Being There by T.K. Rapp Page A

she winks before adding, “I was just thinking we are going to make this the best trip ever.”
    “Let me tell you, I plan on having a helluva time!”
    “Am I going to have to keep an eye on you?” She eyes me sideways, knowing I am the least likely to ruffle any feathers. So I just sit back with a Cheshire smile on my face foreshadowing the mischief we both know I will never get into. The radio is low in the background and I hear my favorite song playing so I lean over to turn the song up, but decide to ask one more thing.
    “So tell me about Luke’s friend, what’s he like?” I’m interested, and it’s my way to show Nev that everything will be fine and life will go on. Besides, maybe he can keep me company.
    “Well,” she trails, “I don’t know, actually, I haven’t met the guy.”
    “I’m sure Luke has told you something about him?”
    “I know that he owns his own business, but I’m not sure what type and that he lives in The Woodlands area. Luke says he was dating some girl for a while, but they broke up about two months ago. That’s about all I know,” she says with finality.
    “Did you tell me his name?” I’m curious about this guy; I haven’t dated much since Seth, which was a few months ago, not that I’m looking. Right when she looks like she is about to answer my question, my phone buzzes in my hand, and of course it had to be my mom. She’s still worried about me and keeps texting to check on me and see how I’m holding up. I decide to take the call and put her mind at ease, even if just for a little while.
    “Hi mom,” I answer.
    “Hi baby, how are you feeling?”
    “Great! Just sitting here with Nev, talking about her new man,” I glance at my friend trying to tease her. I hate how worried my mom is and I wish there were something I could say to take some of that from her.
    “You didn’t tell her everything did you?” Thank God she picked up on my not so subtle voice cues.
    “No, just a little longer, but we’re having a good time,” I look over and smile at my best friend who is drumming her hand on the steering wheel to the song. “Hey mom, can I call you when we get there?”
    “Sure, sweetie. I love you, have fun.”
    “I love you too, mom, talk soon.” When I hang up, I feel a tightness in my chest, but I don’t want to think about it right now, or the rest of the vacation, for that matter.
    I decide to get back to my questions about Nevaeh’s new boyfriend, but before I can ask anymore, she starts to sing to the song on the radio; badly. I try to stifle my laughter, but it just comes out anyway so she swats her hand at me and in that moment, I decide to join in on the bad car karaoke. But I can’t help the yawn that escapes as the song finishes so she turns the volume down, no doubt wanting to talk more.
    “So,” I drag out, “Drew texted me last night,” I confess.
    “I didn’t realize that he had your phone number,” she questions.
    “I didn’t either, it’s on Facebook for the world to see,” I admit, somewhat perplexed that my information was that available to him or anyone else.
    “What did he have to say?”
    “Not much. He asked me again to meet up with him, but I still didn’t think it was a good idea, so I opted out.” She doesn’t say anything so I finish with the words he left me with, “he said he misses me.”
    She’s like a high school gossip that just found out a juicy tidbit to share with the world, “Really? What did you say?”
    “Nothing. At first…but then, I texted him back and told him that I missed him too sometimes and that was it.”
    Just when I think she’s going to jump on my words and make me face things I have long since pushed down, she surprises me with her suggestion that I sleep. “We should be there in about forty-five minutes,” she notes, looking at the mile marker we just passed, “besides, you look like hell.”
    “Gee, thanks,” it’s my turn to swing at her. She dodges and laughs briefly