Free Hero of Mine by Codi Gary Page B

make it meaningful . . . Don’t ignore the signs.
    D ANI WAS IN the kitchen making breakfast for Noah when her best friend, Lana Davison, called. Lana and she didn’t talk very often, maybe once every couple of weeks, but they were still close. Things had changed when Dani had become a mom. Lana would call up and ask her to go dancing or to lunch, but Dani either couldn’t because of Noah or needed to bring him along. After a while, the invitations had become less frequent, and when Lana had celebrated her twenty-fourth birthday with a trip up to Tahoe, Dani had tried not to be hurt that she wasn’t even invited.
    They’d finally talked about what was going on and were in a good place again, but Dani couldn’t deny that their friendship was forever changed.
    â€œHey, Lan, how are you?”
    â€œI’m engaged!” Lana screamed.
    Dani spilled the milk she’d been pouring on the counter with a cry. “Oh my God, congratulations! Nick proposed? When?”
    â€œLast night. He took me out to dinner and tied the ring to a glass of champagne.”
    â€œThat is romantic! I am so happy for you.” Dani ignored the twinge of jealousy stirring in her gut.
    â€œThank you! And as my oldest friend, I need you to be my maid of honor!”
    Dollar signs flashed across Dani’s eyes as she thought about all the responsibilities. Organizing the bridal shower and bachelorette party, buying the bridesmaid dress and shoes. Hair appointments, nail appointments, gifts.
    Swallowing down the bile of panic, she said, “When is the wedding?”
    â€œWe’re thinking of June but haven’t nailed down an exact date yet.”
    Relief seeped through her. She could build up her savings and be able to work with that.
    â€œOkay, I should be able to handle that.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Lana asked.
    â€œWell, I just took on a second job a few weeks ago, and my car bit the dust the same day that Noah had to spend the night at the hospital because he was puking blood. Thank God he didn’t have to have surgery, but I’m going to have some hefty bills hitting me this month, and I was just panicked for a moment, but I think it will all work out great.”
    Lana was silent on the other end.
    â€œLana? Did I lose you?”
    â€œNo, I’m here.” Her tone was curt, and Dani wondered what in the hell she’d said.
    â€œIs something wrong?”
    â€œI called to share something wonderful with you, and you act as if I’m inconveniencing you.”
    Dani was completely floored. “That’s not what I was doing! I said I could do it but was just telling you, my friend, about the horrible week I’ve had. And did you miss the part about my son puking blood ?”
    â€œYes, I heard you, and he’s obviously fine. I just can’t believe how self-centered you’ve become. Every time I call you, no matter what is going on with me, it always gets turned around to you and that kid.”
    Now Dani’s skin prickled with fury, and her voice came out tight. “ ‘That kid’ is my son. And I’m sorry that I don’t have anything more stimulating for you besides talking about him, but this is my life. I work and I come home and love my kid.”
    â€œWell, that’s just sad.”
    The sneer was evident without Dani even seeing it, and Dani’s eyes stung with tears of hurt and anger.
    â€œYou know what, Lana? You should pick someone else, because I’m obviously not the right person to be your maid of honor.”
    â€œFine.”
    The call ended with a beep as Lana hung up, and Dani put her cell down, silently saying good-bye to the last friend she had outside of work. All of her other high-school buddies had drifted off after she’d quit the party scene, but Lana had stuck with her.
    Was she self-centered? Dani didn’t think so, but looking back on conversations she’d had with Lana or the few