I was only half joking about unaliving Terk, but whatever torture my girlfriend has in mind would be better than death. Shit, is she even still my girlfriend? Or did she cancel her subscription service early?
Lukas pops his head in. “The way I see it, you’ve got an Alana problem, and an Amanda problem. Pick one that seems the easiest and fix that, then move on to the next one.”
“Who do you think will be easier?” I know the answer, but I want to confirm it before doing anything.
Lukas and Teddy answer in unison, “Amanda.”
Hmm, and neither of them have met her so that’s everything I need to know. I slap my hand around the bed until I find my phone.
Me: Hey. I’m not sure what to say. I don’t know if it’s thank you or I’m sorry.
Amanda: You can say both.
Me: I’m sorry you were stuck with me and thank you.
Amanda: Wrong. You’re stuck with me. For life.
Me: We cool?
Amanda: Always.
Amanda: I’ve waited years for tonight. It’s perfect.
Amanda: Lena and Alana are different… but the same, you know.
Me: I get it.
Alana is still the same loyal and strong person who put others first. She’s been clinging to the background of our lives, always a few feet away but never reaching out. And we never forgot her…Holy shit!
Me: Is Kiki really Alana?
Amanda: Are you kidding me?
Amanda: Her name used to be Kinsley. She was Kiki on my phone. Lena was Lele.
Amanda: Jesus, I get that you blacked out but you can’t be that stupid.
Dammit, Amanda will never let me live this down and the answer has been in front of me the whole time.
Me: Is Alana ok?
Amanda: She’s hurt but I think she’s resilient.
Me: Is there anything I can do to win her back? Because clearly writing my entire discography about her isn’t enough.
Amanda: When I sober up, I’ll be sure to put in a good word for you.
Amanda: Love you like a brother.
Me: hugs
Okay, one problem dealt with. The two men are still standing in my bedroom unsure what to do.
“Did you guys know that Alana has been the secret character Amanda and I have been writing about for twelve years?”
Teddy blinks at me a few times. “Um you didn’t?”
“Obviously not!” I flop down on the bed and pull the pillow back over my face.
