Free In the Mind of Misty by Lisa Powell

everything. Misty was shaken about it. But still the things he done to her, she couldn ’t get passed. Even though it wasn’t really his fault, she didn’t want any contact with him. She was happy where she was. She was leading a good life now and she didn’t need it to be disrupted. It took her a long time to pull herself together. She still hasn’t dated though she is afraid to. That’s one thing she still hasn’t gotten over.
    Vince started working more hours. He didn ’t party like he used to. The experience with Misty changed him. He still loved her, but knew he would never have her again. So he tried to move on and it was hard for him. He tried to get a couple relationships going but they just seemed to fail. It wasn’t him leaving this time it was the women. They told him he was cold. He didn’t have any passion. They didn’t feel the love in the relationship. He could understand because he didn’t feel any love either. He decided just to stick with the occasional one night flings.
    Kimmy would tell Misty about him. Misty would get upset at her at times wondering why she would be telling her. But deep down Misty knew why. More and more Kimmy would say how he has changed. He was different. How the dark side of him seemed to have disappeared. He was a changed man. She told Misty that his birthday was coming up and they were going to through him a birthday party. She kept hinting to come up. Finally Misty had enough hounding from her. But she told Kimmy she didn ’t want him to know she was coming up, just in case. Kimmy agreed.
    Misty came up for the party, but she stayed hidden from Vince ’s view. She watched him for a while. He would smile and be polite but then stare off. He looked, unhappy. Kimmy would glance at Misty now and again. Misty finally decided to show herself. Vince walked up to an open window. Put his hand against the wall and was staring out. He was twirling the ice around in his drink. Misty walked up behind him. Mark and Kimmy were watching.
    “ Vince,” she said his name so softly.
    He stopped twirling his drink. He brought his hand down and slowly turned. “Misty” he said in a whisper
    “ Happy Birthday.”
    Vince just stood there staring at her. She was such a sight. His eyes started to tear and he quickly turned back around. He started to wipe them.
    “Sorry I shouldn’t have come,” Misty said she turned to leave.
    “ No, don’t go,” he said. He was choked but still didn’t turn back around.
    “ Would you like to go outside?” she questioned.
    “ Yes,” he quickly said. She started to walk outside Vince turned and followed still trying to keep his composer. They made it out side and both leaned over the railing.
    “ Nice night,” Misty said.
    “ Yes it is,” Vince replied.
    Kimmy and Mark watched. They finally saw them both stand and face each other. Misty brought her hand up to Vince and he held it. He showed her his scar and she covered her mouth. She started to tear. It looked like he was explaining things to her.
    It looked like he was telling her other things. But Misty was shaking her head no. And Vince dropped his head but shook it yes, as if he understood. Then they looked back at each other and smiled. Misty turned and left. Vince then turned back and leaned over the railing for a while before he came back in. It was heart breaking to watch.
    Misty was all teared up when she left. The way Vince talked and spoke. The way he looked at her, he has changed. She went back to Kimmys and thought. Maybe it wasn’t too late for them like he said. Maybe they could have something real now. He said he still loved her. And the way he looked at her when he said it, she believed it true. Misty decided to take a chance one more time. She went through the stuff she left there. She found what she was looking for and she headed back to the party.
    Misty found Kimmy and Kimmy just looked at Misty unbelieving. Misty told Kimmy to tell Vince she had to see him. She told her