Talk

Gram gave Karla’s shoulder a gentle pat. “Thank you for helping with the dishes, Dear. I’ll certainly tell Kip you were here.” She smiled her same kind smile she always did…though tonight her eyes were more thoughtful. “You have a good night.” 

Back in his bedroom, Kip could hear the door open and close, and he knew Karla had gone. His grip on his pillow loosened, though his gut was still in knots…where it stayed for the rest of the evening, despite Gram coming in to check on him and offering an attempt at encouragement. He could later hear Gram talking to Gramps, and even though he couldn’t distinguish what was being said, he knew they were talking about him…and it made the pain worse.

After that, nothing changed. Not Kip’s work schedule, not his depression, and not his contact with Karla – which was little to nothing. He avoided her completely, communicating through text, but continuing to use the excuse he wasn’t feeling well, just so he didn’t have to see her. Whenever she came by, he was either in bed, or had slipped out for a while. And he hated it. He hated himself, and he hated his cowardice. He hated what he had done, and he hated how he continued to beat around the bush and try to ignore what had happened. 

Now, four days later, it was to the point that Kip wasn’t even sleeping. He couldn’t. Not with all of this on his mind. Not with the guilt that was eating him alive... 

…It was evening. The sun had just set, and the lights in the park that normally created a glowing, romantic atmosphere, now went almost ignored. Kip paced near one of the benches...his and Karla’s favorite spot. He fished his phone from his pocket and nervously scanned his last text message to her. 

Can we meet at the park? 9:00? I need to talk to you.

She’d agreed. And now he waited. With every fiber in his being, he wanted to run and hide. He wanted to lie. Or pretend nothing had ever happened. But he knew he couldn’t. It would just continue to tear him apart. So he paced. Worried. Sick. And too tired to fight it any more.


Jason grinned as he got out of the pickup. He was glad Katie had decided to come inside with him…for more than one reason. And in the end, her presence added to the fun of the evening. Mike, Phil, Axel and Rocky were all thrilled she’d come, and treated her just like they always had – like a sister. The company was good, the food as good, and the music was as good as it always had been, if not better. Even though JetStream was still just a three-man band since Kyle had left, their practice had paid off, giving them an improved tight sound. Axel and Rocky added advice and more fun as they played around with ideas and just had a good time. 

It was getting late. Rocky had left, Mike and Phil were in the kitchen, and Axel had gone outside to take a call. Jason sat on a stool with his acoustic guitar and swiveled around to see Katie on the couch. He’d had such a nice evening. It felt like…old times. Different, but…the old times had been so good…it was nice to feel like this again. 

He stood slowly, and wandered over before easing down next to Katie, and strumming a few soft notes on his guitar. Pausing, he turned his head to look at her, and he gave her a little smile. He’d seen how she’d enjoyed the evening, too. And even though there was still a weird awkwardness between them…he could still read her well enough to know she had liked this time as much as he had. 

“Ya know…” He plucked another note or two. “You can join us again…whenever you want. You’re more than welcome.” 


Jared sighed and set the rest of the chocolates aside for now. His eyes rolled to the ceiling. “Recovery? What recovery? This?” He gestured around the hospital room. “One step forward, two steps back. Who cares if family is around or not? My situation doesn’t seem to change.” 

His gaze shifted over to the flowers Grace had brought. Their colors and sweet scents were supposed to be cheerful. But if there was anything he didn’t feel right now, it was cheer. 

“I don’t think this is ever gonna end. I don’t know why you keep trying.”


Rosalyn stared up into Chad’s eyes, in total awe. In awe of him, his dreams, and his strange love. “You are…amazing,” she whispered. “I highly doubt it would be cheaper since you don’t come up this way for anything but me… but if you say you can do it, I believe you. And…I certainly wouldn’t say no.”

She leaned up and gave his lips a soft kiss. “You amaze me more each moment. I can’t thank you enough for believing in me and not giving up like I did.” She paused as her fingers toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck. “I wish my family…my dad…could see what I see in you.”