Page 132 of Falling Backwards
Relieved about those things, at least, I nod.“Okay.Okay.”
“I just wanted you to know everything that happened so you can put it in your incident log.”She puffs out a breath.“And so you can be aware that he doesn’t seem to have gotten over you just yet.Fucking pathetic.”
Worrisome,my brain adds.Frightening.
Arms wrap around me and squeeze tightly.I hug my friend back the best I can from this angle.
“It won’t be forever,” she says.“I’m sure of that.He’ll fuck off.”
“When?”I ask weakly, as if she could possibly know the answer.
She sways us in our hug.“Soon, I bet.Either he’ll see you with Luke again and finally give up, or it’ll get handled some other way.”
I remember Luke saying the same thing.He doesn’t think this will take long to sort out either.
I wanna talk to him.
Nevermind that I spent almost all of my free time with him before work, then saw him there, then left with him, then got an,‘I’m home safe,’text from him not even an hour ago.
Having him around me so much was comforting even when it was slightly awkward or sad.Only now that I’m learning Kyle still has me in his sights am I realizing just how much I had relaxed thanks to Luke.
Emma releases me from the hug.I give her a little smile and tell her, “Thank you, sister.”
“No need for thanks.I love you.”
“I love you.”
She walks away, leaving me with the fruit salad I barely want anymore and a head full of swirling thoughts.
—
Since nothing of note happened with Kyle after the grocery store sighting, this is the first time in a while that I’ve had to add a full update to my incident log.
When I called the police after Joy’s birthday party to ask for guidance on what to do about him, the officer told me to write down everything that has transpired between us.I recorded every detail of every encounter I could remember, no matter how insignificant it seemed.I even wrote about the guy who spooked me at the sporting goods store, even though he might not have been Kyle at all.
I’m nervous that I’ve had to add to my log tonight for a very real Kyle reason.
Just as I’m finishing with it, my phone dings from next to me in my bed.It’s probably Luke responding to my text about this development.
Seeing that I’m right soothes me.
LUKE:I know earlier I said it’d be okay if we went somewhere you like to go and he was there, but my mind has been changed.We’re not doing that.We’re not knowingly putting you in a place for him to bother you.The thought of him bothering you pisses me off.I’m PISSED that he tried to find out where you live.Though I guess it’s a relief he doesn’t already know, like we were concerned he might
Despite my mood, this makes me smile a little.
ME:I’m upset, too, but you’re right, it’s good he doesn’t know.And yeah, I was gonna say I definitely don’t wanna risk going to Mellow Burger now.Doesn’t sound fun at all anymore
LUKE:Well, you know what does sound fun?
ME:What?
LUKE:Us learning to make our own mothafuckin spicy fries
A loud laugh escapes me—I get a hand clapped over my mouth quite uselessly.It doesn’t stay there but for a moment anyway since I have to text back.
ME:LOL oh my God, I just laughed so loud
LUKE:Oh yeah?
