Bernard went to bed crying. He hugged his pillow.
“Lord, if you can hear me, please bring Rory back to me. I miss him and need him back in my life.”
He’d hurt Rory. He didn’t care how Mrs. Sinclair felt. She was a selfish, spiteful woman. Rory deserved to be happy, and he’d be damned if he let that woman ruin his happiness.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rory
Friday, July 24–Sunday, July 26
IT WAS FRIDAYafternoon. A week had gone by since Rory and Bernard’s date. Rory had little to occupy his time now that he’d started summer break. He needed to prepare for the classes he’d be teaching, but that wouldn’t take long. He’d use the same curriculum he’d used for the last three years, with minor alterations.
His mother continued to try to convince him to take Missy out on a date. That would never happen, but his mother refused to give up. She was determined to find him a wife. He was sure Missy’s mother was doing the same thing. They didn’t know he and Missy had talked and didn’t want to date.
Rory was finishing up lunch when the phone rang.
“Hello?” he said.
“Hey, Rory. It’s Jeff. We’re going out tonight and want you to join us.”
“I’m not sure. I’m not feeling so good.”
“Oh, are you sick?”
“No, it’s just… Things have happened.”
“Well, you need to come out and talk about it. We’re here for you.”
“I don’t know.”
“Drinks are on me?”
“Well, when you put it that way.” Rory laughed. “Okay. You’ve convinced me and I hope you’re ready for some sad stories.”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Okay, see you at Shaffers at six-thirty, as usual?”
“We’ll see you there.”
Rory spent the afternoon cleaning his apartment, which relaxed him.
When he was done, it was five. He showered and dressed.
He was heading out the door when the phone rang. He looked at his watch. It was almost six.
I don’t want to be late. I’ll check it later.
He shut the door and headed to Shaffers.
His friends sat at a table in the back when he arrived at six-thirty. He moved through the thick crowd to meet them. They each had a drink in front of them and a gin and tonic for him.
“Aww, you remembered what I drink,” Rory said.
“Of course,” Davi said.
“Okay, now what’s going on?” Jeff said.
