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“So…” she starts in as we amble along the sidewalk. “A doctor who plays basketball. I’ve learned so much about you in the short time you’ve been here than I did for the year we were friends on Flores.”
“I liked it that way,” I bite back.
“I know,” she nods, amused and unphased. “Yet here you are now, Mr. Personality, getting a new haircut, coaching a bunch of little kids, and coming out to dinner with other humans. I’m so proud of you.”
“Enough of your praise, before I throw up.”
“So how long are you going to be around?”
Ah. The burning question.
“Until I feel the need to go back,” I say being cryptic, partly on purpose, and partly because I honestly don’t know. To be honest, I thought that feeling would have attacked me full force by now, but it hasn’t. I miss my boat, sure, as well as the beautiful landscape and peace and quiet that comes with it. But Kasey, Luna, the kids, and okay, even Melanie, have been reminding me that people really aren’t so bad to be around. And I’m blown away at how much I want to be around Kasey. She’s warm and kind, and so damn patient. I love how live-and-let-live her personality is, never wanting or expecting anything from anyone, determined to be independent.
Don’t get me wrong, Melanie is a wonderful person as well, but with the circumstances we met each other under, our preferred way of bonding is by giving each other shit.
As we approach the restaurant, Melanie asks everyone else to find a table while she pulls me aside.
“Look, in all seriousness, I’m glad you’re here. I want you here. I would love to see you be happy and for everyone else to see what I know is there,” her serious gaze pans me up and down like she’s looking for some other person that’s hiding inside me. “But because you’re-”
“Socially challenged?” I cut her off, crossing my arms. She huffs out an annoyed breath with an eyeroll and a vague nod.
“Just let me tell you that one thing you do not do, is mess with a single mother.”
“I’m not messing with her,” I drop my arms but she holds up her hands.
“Not intentionally, but there are certain things you need to be mindful of when developing a relationship, romantic or platonic, like the fact that it’s not just her you’re getting involved with. Everything you do or don’t do has a two-fold impact.”
While I feel slightly indignant that she’s pointing out something that should be common knowledge, I have to agree this concept is not always at the forefront of one’s mind. And since I’ve been out of the social game for a while, she has every right to remind me. Not that I’ll admit that to her. I take a few beats before responding so she can rest assured that I’m letting her words sink in.
“Inputted,” I finally tell her, leveling her with a sincere gaze. “So what do I do now?” I ponder out loud, shoving my hands in my pockets. “I can’t exactly un-introduce myself.”
“You don’t have to. The only thing Kasey wants from anybody is for them to be upfront with her. Can you do that?”
I let out a heavy sigh because I have to seriously think about that one for a second. Talking to people and telling them how I feel is a real challenge for me, and that’s putting it mildly. To let someone know where they stand is, of course, the best thing to do, but that comes with making yourself vulnerable, and it will be hard not to stick my head in the sand. But that’s apparently all Kasey wants, and she deserves that; so for her, I can definitely try. I’ll find a way. I finally give Melanie a nod which seems to pacify her as she turns to lead us to find the rest of our party.
Chapter Fourteen
Ben
“Alright, Monkey,”Matt leans towards Luna after we’ve all placed are orders. “You ready to get your butt kicked at skee-ball?”
A fierce look of competitiveness comes over Luna’s face as she stands from her chair.
“Bring it,” she says with a lowered voice while giving her uncle the mock evil eye. She skedaddles towards the arcade with Brayden hot on her heels, while Matt casually swaggers like Joe-Cool behind them.
“Think I’ll go along and up the competition,” Melanie winks before rising and walking in the direction of the rest. I know what she’s doing.
With just Kasey sitting kitty-corner to me at the table, I gather up the courage that I’m going to need for what is sure to be an awkward but necessary conversation, one of the things I’ve enjoyed not having over the last few years. But I need to learn to start giving a little again, and with Kasey, I feel like I’d give so much more. I draw in a deep breath, folding my arms on the table and leaning in.
“Can I talk to you?” I ask gently.
Words I haven’t uttered in years
“Yeah,” she nods, still trying to smile like everything is good. She’s not convincing me.
“I know we haven’t known each other that long, so I may be way off base here, but I really feel like I’m getting a different vibe from you than usual. You seem distant – and if I’m wrong, feel free to tell me to back off or shut up,” I add when she starts to open her mouth.
She smiles gently again and it’s friendly, but there’s a somberness to it.
