Page 74 of Heal Me

“Sure. Thanks for coming,” Charlotte says as they hug. I want to rip Dr. Patel a new one for bailing on his daughter, but I bite my tongue. I’ve had years of practicing biting my tongue from all those times Rumel bailed on me.

“I’ll be in touch with the details of your research project. Nice to see you all,” Dr. Patel says.

“Next time I hope you stay longer so that we can hear all about—”

“Grandma, take a picture of me and Charlotte before we leave,” Aubry interrupts Vivian and what I’m sure was going to be something highly inappropriate. Vivian huffs but takes their picture. “We’re gonna go get things set up,” Aubry says as she gives Charlotte a hug. “Take your time.”

“Sounds good.” Charlotte waves at Jen from across the way. “Let me say hi to a few friends and then I’m ready.”

“Debbie and Tabitha, you two ride with me. I want to hear all about—”

“Ladies, why don’t you ride with us? My car is smoke-free,” Aubry interjects.

“If the prude would let me finish a sentence, she’d know that we’re in Callie’s car,” Vivian says in a huff.

“Debbie and Tabitha, you’ll both ride with me,” Amelia declares and that settles it. Although I’m not sure if our moms might be better off with Vivian as opposed to Amelia and Florence.

Charlotte takes my hand and we walk over to her friends. They all hug and make a fuss, and then the women turn to me. “You remember my boyfriend, Gabe? Well, Stephanie, maybe you don’t,” Charlotte teases.

“I doubt she would, as she was too busy stabbing me in the back with Elliot,” Jen says under her breath.

Leave it to Jen to make this special day all about her. “Ladies, let me take a group picture.” I’m handed one phone after the next until I get a picture for everyone.

“Charlotte, we’ll have to get together this summer now that you’re staying in Memphis. I’m starting dental school here in the fall,” Stephanie says. “And Elliot’s starting law school.”

“Absolutely! Zoe, what are your plans?”

“I might catch up with my brother’s band on tour this summer, but I haven’t decided yet.”

“That sounds fun. Well, let’s all definitely meet up here soon. Bye,” Charlotte says with a final round of hugs.

“I’ll walk with you. I need to find my parents,” Jen says as she takes Charlotte’s arm.

“You know dentists have the highest suicide rates, and lawyers have the highest alcoholism rates of any profession,” Jen tells Charlotte once we’re out of Stephanie’s earshot. “A perfect match, those two.”

“Jen, when do you leave for Boston?” I interject. She can’t move cross-country fast enough for my liking.

“Sunday. I’ve still got a million things to do. I scrambled and somehow was able to find a roommate last minute. Hey, do you think you could drop off my furniture to a donation center? I’m not taking any of it with me.”

“Sure, that won’t be a problem,” Charlotte answers. Jen doesn’t realize Charlotte’s such a nice person, she could have just simply asked my girlfriend, as opposed to using emotional blackmail.

We split off from Jen, making our way to the exit. “Char!” A guy calls, running up to Charlotte and picking her up, swinging her around. The urge to throat punch him is strong, but I keep my fist by my side. It takes concerted effort.

“Put me down, goofball.” Charlotte laughs.

The guy does, but still has his arms around her, so I use my power to tug on his sleeves, dropping his arms for him. There, better. He looks down at his hands, confused, but then says, “Char, did you see my sweet dance moves on stage?”

“Couldn’t miss them.” She shakes her head. “William, this is my boyfriend, Gabe.”

Ah, so Charlotte’s ex was the idiot moonwalking on stage. He’s a good-looking guy, I’ll begrudgingly admit. A few inches shorter than I am, with light-brown hair. Looks to be in decent shape, but I could easily break his hands in one fell swoop. Nothing’s off the table if he touches my girlfriend again. “Hey man, nice to meet you,” William says, and we shake.

“What happened to your neck?” Charlotte asks William, looking at the bandage peeking out from underneath the graduation robe.

“Allie’s demon dog. Don’t tell her I said that,” he quickly amends. “We had a hell of a party last night, y’all missed it!”

“Pity,” I say, and Charlotte discreetly flicks my arm.

“Hey, this is my girlfriend, Allie.” He grabs a pretty blonde woman with a rather ugly demeanor. Suddenly, I feel bad for being so hard on the guy.

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