Chapter Twenty

 

<><> Miriam <><>

 

This is it. Artpark. Doomsday. I’ve been having second thoughts about going for the last two weeks. Mom could sense my apprehension over lunch today, but she stayed quiet. Ultimately, she knows I’ll go since I’ve committed and I rarely break my word. Well, never if I can help it. The thing is, I’m not comfortable leaving her for the night, but she is insisting.

“Do you have everything you need for camping? Should be so much fun!”

“Yes.” Do I mention the sleeping arrangements?

“Why don’t you bring your yoga mat. Might make things more comfortable.”

I squirm at the thought of my mom suggesting the bed I’m about to share with Chris be more comfortable. “Maybe.”

“I hope Chris booked a camping spot already. This is peak tourist season and the campground will be busy, especially across the border. It’s so beautiful over there.”

“Hmm. I think he did.”

I hear the Bronco approach without actually seeing it. Chris, Artpark, and one shared tent are about to happen. I peek out the front window just as he pulls up. “Mom, he’s here. Are you sure you’ll be all right without me? I can stay.”

“No, you can’t. Not allowed.”

Chris is kind enough to come in and help me with my stuff and say hi to Mom before we leave. It’s only once I’m crammed into his overloaded Bronco that I realize what I’ve done. Giving my image a glance in the rearview, I grin and raise an eyebrow as if to say, Well, you’re here now. Might as well make the most of it.

Even through my apprehension, there’s an air of anticipation floating around the truck. Travis and his girlfriend Hannah, who is the tiniest person alive, sit together with Hannah’s friend Mia taking the third spot in the backseat. I’m up front, wedged between Simon and Chris in the driver’s seat. A tight fit.

“This is going to be great! Do you camp?” Hannah asks me.

“I used to camp, when I was a kid,” I say, which is true. Before my parents broke up, my dad would take us camping in Canada to Algonquin Park for weeks at a time. It’s been at least eight years since that happened.

“Me too,” says Hannah. “That’s how we know about this campground. My parents have been taking us here for years.”

When we arrive at Artpark, we meet up with Kyle and Bettina at the top staircase as planned. We then move toward the open field facing a huge stage. The sun is shining and the heat is at full capacity as people flood into the park. It’s all so overwhelming and I’m already perspiring a little. Maybe that’s why most of the girls I see here are practically naked. Even Hannah and Mia are in minimal attire. Bettina’s dressed more conservatively, like me, so I don’t feel as out of place in my skirt and tee shirt.

“No Cas?” Travis asks.

“He’s gone. Left for Texas yesterday to begin his training.”

“Good for him.” Travis turns to me as we lumber through the field, weaving around the masses. “Miriam, you like Alice?”

“Alice?” I ask, feeling so out of touch. Should I know who Alice is?

“Yeah, Alice Cooper, that’s who we’re here to see!” Travis belly laughs and I feel my face go red.

Right. Alice Cooper. “I’m just here for the company.” A diplomatic answer.

“We’re not too shabby, huh?” Chris elbows me, beaming.

I’ve never been to a rock concert before. Well, unless you count The Wiggles way back when. And I suppose going to the symphony with your parents doesn’t count either. Bailey has been to tons of real concerts with Halton. He’s addicted to live music, but it’s usually folksy alternative stuff. I, on the other hand, haven’t had the pleasure. That’s why being here is so surreal. Thousands of people, both young and old, are wandering around to find the best places to stand. It seems so random, a first come first serve kind of arrangement.

Chris leans in, “We can stand wherever. When Alice comes on, everyone’ll press in nice and tight.”

I like the sound of Chris pressing in nice and tight against me. Will we be doing that later in the tent? Chris grabs my hand and holds on, lacing his fingers with mine. Although we’re connected physically, I’m the alien of the group; the outsider. Chris and I stay close, walking behind the others now. I notice that Travis is twice the size of Hannah, with long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail that trails down his back. I’d seen him around school before he graduated, but I’d never talked to him before today. He seems like a nice guy –despite his quick sarcastic jabs. I can tell he’s very smart, though, which I can handle. It’s the sarcasm that has me feeling intimidated since it’s unpredictable.

Everyone is guzzling back beer from red cups and some couples are making out on blankets like they’re in a private room. I’m totally overwhelmed and feeling vulnerable. Chris pulls me around by the hand like a parent leading a child as I second-guess my decision to come to Artpark. Glancing at my watch, I know I’m in for one long night ahead with a group of people I have nothing in common with. Someone in this group is a fraud and I happen to know who it is…me. What was I thinking?

“How’s here?” Simon asks and then collapses on the grass to claim the spot.

“Guess this is it.”

We’re quite a distance from the stage because we arrived a little later than we should have, but that’s fine by me. I value my eardrums. Bettina comes over and stands beside me, discretely asking if I’ve ever heard of Alice Cooper before because she hadn’t until Kyle asked her to come tonight. We chat a little more about camping, school, and basically bond over our unease with the environment until the opening act comes on and they’re really, really loud. Any chance of hearing a conversation vanishes, so Bettina and I resort to sign language until we give up and she rejoins Kyle. I’m hoping we’ll talk more later. We have a lot in common and I like her.

 

 

An hour into the concert, the opening act exits and a hush falls over the crowd as the roadies come and swap instruments and prepare the stage for the main act. A shaggy looking man comes out and does a microphone check and then the crowd goes wild as Alice Cooper and his band emerge from the side stage. I clap my hands politely, totally lost in what I’m supposed to do. And then the music starts and I can’t even hear myself think.

Simon comes along and shoves a drink in my hand. I’m holding a red plastic cup full of beer, something I’ve never done before. Just holding it feels wrong. I bring the cup to my lips and drink the frothy liquid. It tastes sour. Not liking it one bit and I never want to get used to the taste. I hold the cup to make it look like I’m doing something, like a little prop of security. If this is what it takes to numb the pain of my mom’s looming death, I’m game.

While we’re pulsing in unison, a girl comes barreling through the crowd and throws her arms around Chris right in front of me, practically elbowing me out of the way. Chris brings his arms up and for a split second, I think he’s going to hug her back, but he pushes her out from him slightly, releasing her vice-like grip on his neck. He shoots me a sheepish grin, clearly embarrassed. I’m already getting used to this signature look.

“Chris, I knew you’d be here for this concert! I’ve been scanning the crowd for, like, ever!”

“Hi. Nice to see you,” he hollers.

The girl backs away, sneering. “Nice to see you? What the fuck, Chris, that’s all I get?” she shouts over the music. “I thought you’d be happy to see me. It’s been a whole year!”

Chris leans in and whispers something in her ear and the girl – who I have to admit looks like a heavy metal goddess – waits patiently, listening intently while I’m left standing beside them like a lawn ornament. As he pulls away from her ear, she pivots slightly and stares me down, her eyes assessing every inch of my existence. Then she does something that totally disintegrates me. She laughs, hard. Chris leans into her ear again and her face drops. Her expression turns ice-cold and then she pushes him away with a firm hand and hollers 'Asshole!' before stomping away.

“Sorry about that,” Chris says and then stares straight ahead, bobbing slightly to the music like no other explanation is needed. He’s mistaken.

“And?” I lean over.

“And what?” he asks, the question loaded since I can tell he knows exactly what I mean.

“And, who was that?”

“No one important.” He smiles, trying to put me at ease. It doesn’t work. I feel Travis and Simon’s eyes on me. Looking over, it’s as if they’re waiting for my reaction to what went down, probably used to Donna Dividi’s over-the-top blow-ups or something. That kind of drama isn’t for me. Instead, I sway to the music and try to enjoy having a night out. After all, Chris Loman isn’t my property. He can flirt, screw, and insult anyone he wants to. It has nothing to do with me. Still, that warning flag inches higher up the pole.

“Hey, do you girls want us to put you on our shoulders? You’ll see better from up there,” says Simon.

“Or even better, the girls can go over on that platform. It looks like it’s for ladies only,” Chris says, pointing.

As I follow his finger, I see a long wooden platform just to the left of the stage full of scantily clad girls gyrating to the music. They’re jammed up there for everyone to see, like a private groupie island right at performer level.

I bring my mouth to Chris’s ear. “No, Chris, I’m not doing that.”

“Why not?”

Do I really have to state the obvious? “Because it objectifies women.”

He looks at me all confused. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, sorry, I guess I never thought of it that way. You’re not offended, are you?”

“No, but only because you didn’t realize it.”

Hannah and Mia trail after each other toward the platform as Chris turns to the guys. “Miriam’s staying with us.”

“Bettina too,” says Kyle.

The guys look over with curiosity, but drop it. Chris wraps his arm around me and pulls me close, signifying his attempt to understand my feminist viewpoint. At least he’s trying.

 

 

Another hour passes and Chris and I are getting comfortable with each other again. His arm is still draped on my shoulders, as if protecting me from the rambunctious crowd that surrounds us. Since our time under the bridge in the rain, we’ve been playing a sort of push and pull dance of familiarity and awkwardness, still on the fence on what this is we’re doing exactly. I know Chris wants a relationship of some sort, but I also sense his reluctance, like he’s not sure how to have one with me. This is clearly new territory for him.

The girls returned long ago and Travis and Hannah are making out at a distance. For some reason, my eyes gravitate toward them every once in a while, my curiosity over their actions peaking. I’m finding everyone around me more fascinating than the concert. The others love the music, but it’s not really my style. Watching people interact is far more interesting, like a giant social experiment. Booze and freedom and music equals some crazy behavior.

“Is it always like this at a concert?” I ask Chris. He merely shrugs, making me wonder if he really heard me. “Chris, did you hear me?”

“Pardon?”

“Did you hear what I said?” I follow his gaze toward the other side of the park and notice Donna Dividi standing with a group of girls, all with eyes glued to Chris and I. Intimidation spikes within me, making my breath catch. Great, just great. Here I am with no way to leave and Chris is making eyes at his ex. I’m feeling like second place as a wave of nervous self-consciousness washes over me. Can’t we go anywhere without Donna showing up?

“Chris, is Donna being here going to be an issue?”

This seems to get his attention and he faces me straight on. “What?”

“I know who you’re looking at and why you’re so distracted. If you’d rather spend the evening with her, be my guest. I’ll get home on my own.”

Chris surprises me by swinging me around to face him. “Miriam, are you kidding me? The only reason I’m watching out for Donna is because I don’t trust her. I’m afraid she’s going to do or say something to embarrass me in front of you. I’m paranoid right now!”

The worried look on his face melts my reservations instantly. “Chris, I’ve said this before, I don’t care what she says. I think I’m smart enough to decipher a lie from the truth. She’s feeling burned because you broke it off. Of course she’s going to try to sabotage your happiness. It’s typical.”

Chris shakes his head and gives me a little half smile. “You’re so smart. It scares the shit out of me, you know that?”

“Come on, don’t give her the satisfaction. Just ignore her and maybe she’ll go away.”

“Sounds good.”

Dusk falls all around us as the music blares and we sway together like a giant moving wave. Chris stands behind me with his arms around my waist, my back pressed against him, making me forget just how awkward and out of place I feel.

“Are you having fun?” he whispers in my ear. It tickles and sends firecracker sized sparks between my legs.

“Yes,” I say, meaning it. And to think I was skeptical about coming in the first place.

Chris nuzzles my neck with his cheek and squeezes tighter, pulling me into him, two becoming one. Tonight, despite the venue and circumstances, I feel free and young and alive for the first time in a really long time. I put my concerns over my mom aside and just be. His hand feels so warm in mine, his grasp firm and assertive. Clearly this boy knows what he wants. Subconsciously, is this what I’m looking for? Someone to take charge? Maybe. If so, I’ve found him.

As the concert ends, we head out into the night, following the cars in front closely. A long snaking line of headlights and taillights illuminates the darkness all around us. A rising sense of panic hits me unexpectedly as Chris reaches over and gently squeezes my knee. Now we start the second half of our night together…and it involves sleeping in the same tent.

 

~ ~ ~ ~

 

Buffalo is often considered that cold, industrial city near the border of that cold, wild country of Canada. We’re right on the edge, teetering on that border. In fact, if you wander down to the marina or drive along the 190, you can see Canada just across the Niagara River.

“Won’t it be busy at the border?” I ask.

“Shouldn’t be too bad. There are a few bridges we can take to. Since it’s not rush hour or a long weekend, we should get over without any kind of trouble,” Chris reassures.

We round the corner, expecting a long lineup at customs, but are pleasantly surprised to find only four or five cars per line.

“Dig out your passports, people.”

We scramble around, shoving hands into pockets and passing them over. Chris is calm and collected when we get there, with each of us nodding when the customs guy asks if we’re American. He eyeballs us skeptically, especially Travis in the back because he’s so scruffy looking, like a fugitive. My palms are sweating and I haven’t even done anything wrong…yet. Going over to Canada to sleep with your boyfriend for the first time could be considered risky behavior, but it’s far from illegal. We’re both over eighteen after all.

By the time we arrive at the campsite, it’s past ten. After stopping in at the registry, Chris swings around the park before backing the Bronco up in the grass. We hop out, grabbing our gear from the back. Chris offers to carry the tent and most of the heavy stuff. Circles of people our age stand around campfires sipping beer. We weave around them before finding our pre-booked campsite and unloading everything. We fumble through the motions of putting up our tents and preparing the fire pit in the dark. Everyone has been drinking except for Chris and Bettina, this evening’s drivers, so the set-up process is slow and confusing in our tipsy condition.

I steal glances at Chris as my anxiety and anticipation heightens. He is so gorgeous. It’s not often I see him dirt-free. Even camping, he’s cleaner than when he’s working in my backyard. As he hovers close by, I can smell the fabric softener from his tee shirt mingling with his cologne. I wonder why anyone would wear cologne on a camping trip, how it would inevitably attract mosquitoes, but then I realize he’s probably wearing it for me and a heat rushes up the back of my neck. He’s making an effort – for me. The smell is totally intoxicating and I’m a goner.

“Hey, watch it, asshole!” shouts a guy from two campsites over.

Chris turns to see who he’s talking to and a second later Simon appears out of the darkness to join us at the tents.

“He talking to you Simon?” asks Kyle.

“Yeah. I knocked over his beer by accident. Guess I got too close. Just tryin’ to get a better look at one of the girls over there.”

“What girls?” Travis leans back.

“Pardon?” Hannah says, elbowing him in the belly. “I’m all the girl you’ll need to look at Trav, right?”

Travis laughs nervously. “Uh, yeah, sorry.”

Her comment makes me look at her a little differently, like I hadn’t noticed her overt confidence until now. Then again, maybe it’s overt paranoia.

Out of nowhere, Simon throws a lazy arm around my shoulders and sways a little. Peering at me, I catch a strong whiff of alcohol on his breath. He’s practically pickled from a mixture of beer and vodka shots. Even in the dim light I can tell his eyes are bloodshot and a welt is starting to bloom on his forehead from an earlier fall over a tree root. He’s a mess. I try to lean away while maintaining a polite smile, but he nudges me closer. “So, whadder ya doin’ with my friend there?” He tries to point over toward Chris, still clasping a beer bottle.

“What am I doing?”

“Yeah. Experimenting? Rebelling?”

I try to hide my confusion.

“Don’t break his heart, kay? He’s a good guy. Don’t see what it’s like to be with one of us and then take off 'cause that wouldn’t be…” he hiccups, “…good.”

I lean away a little to look him in the bloodshot eyes. “I’m not experimenting or rebelling, Simon. I like Chris and I think he likes me. Why is that so hard to believe?”

“'Cause I know girls like you; you’re a preppy tease havin' some fun. Don’t shit me. I know it’s true. I’m just surprised.”

I hesitate, knowing pumping him for answers isn’t fair since he’s drunk, and then I realize it’s the best time. “Surprised by what?”

“That Chris and you are together. You’re not the typical kind of girl he goes for.”

Okay, I fall for the bait. “What type of girl is that?”

He shrugs. “You know.”

“Easy?”

“Yeah, easy, and the kind that breaks your balls if you step out of line. You don’t seem like the ball-breaking type.”

“Um, no. Can’t say I am. What else?”

“Usually with big, well, you know.” Simon mimes boobs. I know what I look like and it’s not that. His comment makes me realize he’s noticed too. Still, I’m not complaining. My brain is my best asset and I’m okay with that. I’d rather be stacked in the head than out front. I’d rather be taken seriously.

“Shit, you’re not mad that I said that, are ya?”

“No, Simon. I think I can handle it. No big deal.”

“He likes you a lot, so looks don’t matter much.”

It’s difficult to not be offended by that one.

“That didn’t come out right. You’re really hot, that wasn’t what I meant.”

“Simon, it’s okay, really.”

Simon scratches his head and sways a little. Why do I suddenly feel like I’ve been thoroughly dissected by Chris’s friends? They’ve obviously reached their own conclusions about me. I’ll let it slide. “I should get back.”

Simon hiccups again and sways, taking his arm off my shoulders and placing his hands on his knees. Bending forward, he moans and then mumbles, “Oh shit. That’s not good.”

A second later, he vomits all over the grass and the smell triggers my gag reflex, but I fight it. Glancing around, Simon and I are alone while everyone else looks for firewood and kindling. So, I do what any girl in my situation would do. I rub his back. If his hair had been any longer, I would have held that back for him too. “It’s okay, Simon, let it out.”

“Fuck…” he grunts before vomiting again and I’m right back to questioning why I’m even here.

Chris comes back, mortified when he sees me taking care of Simon.

“Bonehead! Never could hold his liquor. Should never have mixed.”

“This sucks,” Simon says and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “Pass me my beer, would ya? Gotta wash the taste away.”

Chris hands it over. Simon straightens before taking a quick swig. “I feel better now.”

“Happy to hear it, buddy. Stay out of trouble.”

“I will.” Simon has the nerve to high five me as he passes. Chris and I watch as he disappears into the darkness, to where we’re not sure.

“Sorry about that,” Chris swivels to face me.

“It’s okay. He needed my help.”

“One lucky guy.” He puts his hand on my upper arm and guides me away from Simon’s little gift in the grass. “How are you feeling? You haven’t had that much to drink, have you?”

“No, just a couple. I’m not a big drinker.”

“I know. That’s okay.”

“Are you?”

Chris pulls away, smirking a little. “I used to be. That was before.”

“Before what?”

“Before you.” Leaning in, he kisses me deep, his tongue exploring, and I kiss back, wanting more. Is this it? The lead up? We have the tent all set up, right over there, a short stumbling distance away. Does he want to get to it even though we’ve just arrived?

He breaks the kiss, a flirty grin tugging at his lips. “I love kissing you.”

“Me too. Kissing you I mean.” Nice one, Miriam. Duh!

“I know what you meant.” Chris leans in again for another one and then lets me go. “I’d better help Kyle prepare the fire. He’s in no shape to do it on his own.”

“Need any help?”

“Nope, but thanks. Why don’t you grab another drink? You’re not cold, are you?”

There is a definite chill in the air now since the sun went down. It’s sweet of him to ask. “No, I’m fine.”

“Okay. Wish me luck.” Chris jogs over to the fire pit.

I wander over and grab another drink. While at the cooler by the tent, I corner Hannah and ask about the girl who approached Chris at the concert. Hannah hesitates, as if debating whether to tell me the good version, the bad version, or nothing at all. “She was just a girl he met here last year. From Michigan I think, somewhere like that. I wouldn’t worry about her. She obviously thought there was more between them.”

“So, he led her on?” I ask.

She gives me a nervous kind of grin. “No, I doubt you could lead a girl like that on. More like she led him on. It’s obvious he’s matured since last summer, though that’s hearsay 'cause I wasn’t even around then. Travis and I met last September.”

“Okay,” I say, not quite reassured, but whatever.

“You’re not jealous of a girl like that, are you?”

Well, considering her long, silky hair and supermodel features, I’m definitely jealous. “No, not really.”

“Don’t let that girl get to you,” says Hannah. “Or Donna for that matter. This has to be tough for you, all these sluts throwing themselves at Chris.”

“It’s not.”

“Liar.” She smirks and puts an arm around me.

I smile and look at the ground, embarrassed to be read so easily by a girl who hardly knows me. Am I that obvious?

“Listen, I like you. You have nothin’ to fear, Chicka. Nothin’ at all,” Hannah practically slurs. “Chris is coming off a year of angry defiance after learning that Donna cheated on him. He’s been a bit of a jerk lately. But since you guys got together, he’s relaxed a bit. Nothing to worry about, okay?”

I nod, amazed that someone so small has such a big, warm personality. She leads me back to the bonfire area…or should I say, I lead her since she’s stumbling a bit. When we arrive, my shock-o-meter peaks. Sitting on a fallen log watching Kyle and Chris create a tee-pee formation out of kindling is none other than Donna Dividi and her friends Kimmy Cooper and Marcy Tisdale. Kimmy stops mid-sentence when she sees us, making me feel even more unwelcome.

“Hey, Hannah,” Kimmy says.

“Hi.”

Chris looks up from his task, looks at me and then looks at a now smiling Donna. This is a test in trust with Chris Loman. Am I up to the task or will I be left looking like a fool at the end of all this? Even from their simple glance, they ooze a mutual history. They’d been together for a really long time and I can sense Donna’s power of entitlement over him. She even stated her opinion at the bar, that I’m merely borrowing him for a while. Maybe Chris really is on temporary loan.

I feel the girls’ eyes on me. Just as I want to crawl out of my skin and disappear, Travis barrels into the clearing, panting and gasping for air. “Guys, come quick. Simon’s fighting.”

Chris and Kyle drop the wood and run into the trees. Travis lumbers after them.

Sneakers pound the grass as Donna, Kimmy, Marcy, and Mia trail after the boys, followed by Hannah screaming, “Travis, don’t fight!”

I stand still, wondering if I should go too, though not wanting to witness a drunken altercation in the dark, especially when Donna Dividi is a fellow spectator. I don’t want to share any kind of experience with her…and then it dawns on me. Chris already is our shared experience and after tonight, we’ll have shared other kinds of experiences too.

“I’m not interested,” comes a voice from behind me.

I turn to find Bettina standing with her arms crossed. “In watching the fight. I’m not interested.”

“Neither am I.”

“Being with these guys takes some getting used to. They’re like a pack of wild animals sometimes.”

I want to agree, but I stay quiet.

“It’s a totally different story when I’m alone with Kyle. He’s so sensitive and caring, nothing like Travis or Simon, though they’re nice enough. You should meet Kyle’s other friends.”

“Like Picco?”

“Hmm, I see you’ve had the pleasure. They mean well, right?”

“Right.” I pause, debating whether or not to say what I’m about to say, thinking it may sound snobby. “I feel like I don’t belong here.”

Bettina laughs. “Trust me, I’ve been there. Just remember the most important thing…you’re here for Chris, no one else. He’s why you’re here.”

I smile, thankful that she’s here too. I can relate to Bettina, feel like myself with her. We both stand looking around.

“Well, we might as well make ourselves useful,” I say.

“Build the fire? I was thinking the same thing.”

We stuff crumpled pieces of newspaper under and around the already placed logs and kindling. “Now all we need is a lighter.”

Neither of us smokes, but we know Travis does, so we uneasily search the side pockets of his backpack, feeling a little wrong about it until we find one. “You can do the honors,” I say and hand it over.

Bettina lights the newspaper and in no time the fire is blazing into the night sky. We sit and relax, enjoying the orange flames as they dance in the evening breeze. I realize just how easy it is to be with her and an unexpected wave of happiness finds me. If this thing with Chris works out, at least I have Bettina to hang out with. It would be much different if Kyle were dating someone like Kimmy Cooper.

“You forgot your beer over there. Want me to grab it for you?” Bettina asks.

“No thanks. I think I’ve had enough already.” The drinking age in Canada is nineteen so I’m the only one committing an illegal act, but I don’t mention that part. “To be honest, I can’t stand the taste.”

“Me either. Besides, I’m training. Then again, I’m always training.”

“Does Columbia have track meets in the summer?” As soon as I say it, I realize how naive it sounds.

“No, but I have to maintain my endurance because I’m on the Cross Country team too. It would be far too easy to relax all summer and lose all I’ve worked for. Especially when I’m with Kyle. All I want to do is hang out with him and be lazy. He pushes me, though. He’s even started running with me three times a week, so that helps. If Kyle can start running, anything is possible.”

“I would love it if Chris ran with me. Then I could run at night without feeling vulnerable.”

“You should ask him. I bet he would. He’s in great shape.”

“Maybe.”

“So, how are you liking your backyard?”

“It’s coming along. I can’t believe the transformation.”

“Kyle says Chris really enjoys being over at your place.” Bettina gives me a knowing glance. “Kyle says it’s a peaceful space. I’d agree, but when I was over there, the jackhammering and bobcat noises kind of ruined the moment.”

I laugh. “It’s coming to an end and then my mom will be able to have her oasis. The project has given her something to look forward to.”

“How is she feeling?”

“Good days and bad. That’s how we cope, one day at a time. I have more time to spend with her now that school’s over.”

Bettina pokes at the fire with a long stick, “Congrats on getting into teaching. That’s a major accomplishment.”

“Thanks.”

“And you’re staying in Buffalo?”

“Yes.”

“That’s really commendable, Miriam. Kyle says you’ve got the marks to go anywhere. I’m sure your mom appreciates you staying.”

“I have to.”

“I hear the Concurrent Education program is one of the best.”

“Speaking of school, I wish Chris would consider going to College for business or landscape design. He has an eye for it.”

“Totally agree. When I first started dating Kyle, Chris was not in a very good place. He was really angry all the time. Jackie actually suggested he go to College, but he said he’d rather have a motorcycle. He never did get the motorcycle and he seems way more responsible now. You should mention school to him. He’s probably in a place where he’d consider it. Besides, he’d listen to any suggestion you make since he worships the ground you walk on.”

“What?” I laugh.

“It’s the truth. The guy is totally consumed by you. Whenever I’m over at their place, he won’t stop talking about you.”

Unbeknownst to Bettina, this comment has me internally shrieking with glee.