Almost Perfect - Brian Katcher [42]
I used to think Brenda might be my wife someday. I never thought we’d end up being strangers to each other. It hurt more than I wanted to admit.
Brenda was standing there staring at the stump. When she finally looked up, there was a defeated look in her eyes. As much as I didn’t want to acknowledge it, she was hurting, too.
This was one of those Hollywood movie moments where the hero says something profound before walking off into the sunset. Of course, my attempt at cinematic greatness was anything but profound.
“Blake?” I asked, my voice tinged with sarcasm.
“Huh?”
“You dumped me for a guy named Blake?”
Brenda looked confused. I continued.
“I mean, I could understand you leaving me for a Doug, or a Johnny, or even a Brian, but Blake?”
Brenda glared at me through the distinct thumbprint on her right lens. “He’s a nice guy.”
“I’m sure he is.” I turned on my best Homer Simpson mocking voice. “Ooh, my name’s Blake! Would you like to have some tea and go to the opera?”
“Logan, shut up.”
“My name’s Blake! I enjoy romantic movies and walks on the beach!”
“Stop it!”
I began to skip about. “I’m Blake! I like ponies and Cinderella and rainbows!”
Brenda suddenly shoved me in the chest with both hands, and I went sprawling. I hadn’t been expecting that, and I stared up at her in shock as muddy water trickled into my underwear. Brenda looked so angry I thought she was going to kick me in the face.
But five seconds later, we were both laughing, hard and loud, just like we used to. As Brenda helped me up, I smiled like a total goofball. For the first time since the summer, I wasn’t mad at her.
“Logan …,” began Brenda.
I couldn’t bear to talk more about what had gone wrong between us, so I decided to make a quick exit.
“I’m going to head out now.” I put my hand on her shoulder and gently squeezed. “Be happy, okay? And I hope you find what you’re looking for.” I walked off toward my car, still giggling. Blake?
As I spread newspaper on the front seat to avoid leaving a muddy butt print, I thought back to what my ex-girlfriend had said. She’d lied to me about so many things. Nurturing my hate wouldn’t do anyone any good.
When I started the car, I thought about Sage. She hadn’t lied to me about our relationship. She had flat-out told me she couldn’t date me and that we could only be friends. In fact, she had only ever lied to me about one thing. Granted, it was a pretty important thing.
Did I really want Sage out of my life? Maybe. At least that way I wouldn’t have to face what had happened between us.
chapter fifteen
SINCE I WAS no longer stalking Brenda or hanging out with Sage in the mornings, I actually began to arrive at biology before Tim. When he entered the lab the Monday after I’d tried to exorcise the demons from my past, I noticed something different about him.
For starters, he wasn’t hauling around his usual convenience store’s worth of candy, chips, and other junk food. Just a sixteen-ounce soda and a small can of Pringles. Was he fasting? But there was something else.
“Tim? Do you have a job interview today or something?”
For years, Tim’s wardrobe had consisted of a highly distressed pair of jeans and a baggy sweatshirt, even in the summer. But today he was wearing khaki pants, a T-shirt that wasn’t a size too small, and a stylish-looking sweater vest. He’d even traded his sneakers for some loafers.
Tim flipped through his bio book. “Dawn’s picking me up after school today. Thought I’d dress up.” His olive cheeks flushed red.
I fought the urge to tease him. If Dawn could convince Tim to watch what he ate and not to be a slob, then more power to her.
“That reminds me,” continued Tim, trying to change the topic, “my eighteenth birthday is this weekend.”
“Oh yeah! What’s the plan? Buy some cigarettes, lotto tickets, and a rifle?”
“Vote and register for the draft,” countered Tim. “Actually, Dawn wanted us all to go out and see this comedian in Columbia on Saturday. It’ll be fun.”
“Yeah, okay.” That sounded like something college kids would do. It would be good