Page 18 of Crash and Burn

I was still in a funk over my reaction to the bonfire and the feelings and memories it brought up, so I decided not to go to work. I mulled it over in my mind.Knowing Hudson….I stopped myself.Who am I kidding? I don’t know him at all. Whatever. Knowing Hudson, he will probably come to the diner to see if I’m ok and I just can’t do it.I pulled out my phone and sent Sheila a text.

“Hey Sheila, I’m not well. Sorry to call out of my shift.”

“Hey sweetheart, It’s ok. Get some rest. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thnx. xo”

After switching my phone to silent, I tossed it on the chair across the room. I didn’t want to be bothered. I was done.

Tuesday

I sent off another text.

“Sheila – sorry. Still not feeling good.”

“Ok, honey. Are you ok?”

“I think I just need more rest.”

“Then you go ahead. This week has started out slow, anyway. You should know, Hudson has been in asking about you.”

Oh no, I thought.

“What did you tell him?”

“That you weren’t feeling good. I don’t think he bought it, though.”

Wow. Okay, Sheila.“Umm…okay. Just tell him I’m fine and I needed a couple of days.”

“Somethin’ happen between you two on Saturday?”

“Nope. Nothin’. I’m just dumb and freaked out at the end of the night when everyone wanted to have a bonfire.”

Other than my mom and my two best friends, Sheila is the only other person who knows about Kevin and the fire. I told her once because it was important to me that she knew what to do if Kevin ever came into the diner. We’re not friends, not even close, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to make people think he was someone special to me.

“Oh, sweetie. Just tell him what happened. Not a single person on this planet could hold something like that against you. I’m willing to bet he would understand.”

“Yeah, maybe, but I’m not ready to find out. Just tell him I’m tired. Please?”

“Okay babe. Get some rest. Don’t beat yourself up.”

It was easier said than done. I got up, went to the bathroom, and looked in the mirror.Ew.I hadn’t eaten much for a few days or showered. I wondered what day it was. I pushed the home button on my phone.Wednesday? Geez.I hate when I get in these stupors, I’ll shower and see what I can find in the kitchen to eat.My stomach made a gurgling noise in agreement.

*

It was 9 pm when I woke up again from another long nap, so I ate dinner. The thought of being awake and alone in the apartment until the wee hours of the morning freaked me out. I went to the bathroom once again, noticing my worn-out appearance when I heard banging on my front door.

BOOM BOOM BOOM

My heart jumped out of my chest.What in the actual fuck? It’s 9 pm. Who the hell is at my door this late?I grabbed my phone, ready to call 9-1-1. It was too dark to see anything outside through the peep hole, reminding me that my landlord still hadn’t fixed the outside light.Damn it!I called Amanda.

She answered,“Are you dying because it’s 10 pm here?”

I whispered,“Manda, someone is banging on my door!”

“Um, call the cops, ma’am. I can’t come rescue you from Canada.”

“What if it’s Kevin?”

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