Love on Leave

by Leah McDonnell

  The drive is long and mostly quiet. The only conversation we’ve had since we left is about how well Ashley and Santos had hit it off and how he plans to come to Athens with Artie in a few weeks.

  “What do you have planned for when they come?” I ask.

  “I’m thinking maybe a trip into Atlanta. He’s never been to Six Flags. Maybe catch a Braves Game. It’ll be Artie’s twenty-second birthday, so I want to make it as memorable as possible.”

  “He’ll love it! I’m so happy for you two. I can tell he adores you.”

  She flashes a bashful grin. “He told me he loved me last night.”

  “Dammit, Lana! We’ve been in the car for two hours and you’re just now telling us!” I yell, poking her in the shoulder.

  “I’m sorry,” she laughs. “I didn’t want to make a big thing of it.”

  “But it IS a big thing! It’s huge!” Ashley adds.

  “I guess I was worried I would jinx it if I said it out loud.”

  “Why, silly?” I ask.

  “I’m excited and terrified all at the same time. I keep worrying the rug’s going to get pulled out from under me. You know what terrible luck I have with guys.

  They either bore me in a week or they’re only looking for the dumb trophy girlfriend.”

  “Don’t think that way, Lana. He would never do anything to hurt you. He’s so different from anyone you’ve ever dated. He’s got the kindest heart.” I assure her.

  “I know. It’s just….”

  Mid-sentence, the car shutters. Puh, Puh, Puh. Then silence as it begins to coast.

  “Ummm… what the hell was that?” Jenn asks.

  “Please, God! Tell me we didn’t run out of gas?!” Ashley says.

  Lana yells in a panic as she pulls the car onto the side of the interstate. “It showed we had five more miles!”

  Jenn smacks the back of her headrest. “For Christ’s sake, Lana! You can’t let it get that low! Why didn’t you stop at the last exit?”

  “Please don’t yell at me! My brain was on Artie. I guess I wasn’t paying attention!”

  “I am going to kill you!” Jenn says, screaming now.

  “Ok, y’all! Yelling isn’t helping. The guys can pick us up and take us to get gas,” I say calmly.

  Lana cups her face. “They got ahead of us when we stopped to pee at the Georgia Welcome Center.”

  “What about James? They’ll be behind us soon, right?” Ashley asks.

  I puff out an exhausted breath. “No, James and his group weren’t leaving until this afternoon. They’re probably just now getting on the road.”

  “Oh, no! What the hell are we going to do?” Lana pleads as the three of them start squabbling among each other.

  I try to think of a solution over them and the loud vehicles whipping by, jostling the car.

  “Please stop arguing and let me think for a minute! Jesus!” I shout, throwing my hand up to hush everyone. “The McDonald's billboard said two miles ahead, so we aren’t far from an exit. Maybe we can hitchhike to a gas station?”

  “Are you crazy!?” Jenn screams. “We could get murdered!”

  “Well, we have three choices, Jenn… we can either hitchhike, walk, or sit here like four idiots until James passes by. Pick your poison, because whichever one we pick is going to royally suck!” I snip, still pissed off at her for last night.

  She rolls her eyes and huffs, but knows trying to catch a ride is our best option.

  We all climb from the car, “Maybe if we start walking someone will eventually stop,” Ashley says as thunder claps overhead.

  “Isn’t this perfect! We had to break down right before a thunderstorm hits!”

  “Shut up, Jenn! Your attitude isn’t helping anything!” I yell, finally losing all patience with her.

  “Oh, Oh, Oh! A cop! Y’all… help me wave! It’s a cop!”

  Ashley points and jumps, as we all spot him coming up the opposite side of the interstate.

  We watch as he flies past us. “Please turn around! Please turn around!” Lana begs as we watch, praying he spotted us.

  Cheers erupt when his brake lights flash and he slows to turn into the median emergency lane.

  Minutes later the Sheriff’s cruiser pulls behind us. The young deputy steps out, straightening his belt as he stands. “You ladies breakdown?”

  “YES! Praise The Lord you saw us!” Jenn shouts. “Our dumbass friend here, let us run out of gas!”

  He chuckles loudly as we gather around him. Damn! He’s hot!

  “Officer…” I glance at his name badge, “Mullins.” You don’t happen to have a gas can on you, by chance?”

  “I don’t, but I’ll be more than happy to run you girls to a gas station and back. There’s a Shell station about two miles from here.”

  Without hesitation, we take him up on his offer. “Y’all jump in!”

  Jenn sits in the front seat of Officer Mullins white Crown Vic, while Lana, Ashley, and I take dibs on the back. We continue to thank him and sing his praises as we make the short drive to the gas station.

  We get the gas we need and after a quick break, the stress from the ordeal finally calms.

  “Us in the back of a cop car! First time for everything!” I tease as we wait for Jenn to get back from the restroom. We look around the back of the cop car and all get the biggest kick out of the metal barrier and no door handles.

  “I don’t know how we’ve managed to stay out of the back of one these, with all the crazy shit we’ve gotten ourselves into over the years!” Lana says.

  Ashley grabs the barrier and pretends to escape. “It’s like something out of a movie!”

  “I know! No one’s going to believe this actually happened,” I add.

  “Ooo Ooo! I have my camera! We can take pictures!” Lana says, fumbling through her purse.

  Officer Mullins chuckles as he snaps a picture of the three of us holding our hands up in a surrender pose.

  “I can honestly say, I can’t think of a single time I’ve had anyone actually excited about being in the back of a police car.”

  It's late evening by the time Lana and I pull up to our apartment. “Another wild weekend comes to an end!”

  I smile and nod. “This was definitely one for the Kate and Lana record book!”

  CHAPTER FIFETEEN

  Georgia vs. Auburn Weekend

  “Warrrrrrrrr Eagle Hey!” The kickoff chant of the Auburn Tigers fills the large stadium, as the time clock to the oldest rivalry in the Southeast begins counting down.

  “God, I had forgotten how much I hate Auburn until I pulled into this ridiculous cow town.”

  “Don’t be hatin’ on my school, Lana!” James yells, popping his orange and blue shaker on the top of her head.

  I wave the flask I snuck in. “Take a few nips and you’ll forget all about your hatred.”

  “Can’t we ditch this game and head on to Columbus?” she whines.

  “No, you cannot!” James balks. “You can go three more hours without your precious wittle snooky wooky!” For added annoyance, he and I make kissy noises in each one of her ears.

  She shoos us away. “Y’all suck almost as bad as this freakin’ school does!”

  It’s been three weeks since our crazy Labor Day weekend and Lana and I have been going nonstop ever since. Classes are in full swing and the ones I’m taking this semester are kicking my ass. I’ve done everything I can to keep my mind off all things, Fort Benning. I’ve forced myself to attend all the Georgia home games, drug Lana to a few parties, and even went home to pull a few shifts at DiMaggio’s. But with her still dating Artie, and Santos and Ashley seeing each other now, it looks like I won’t be closing this chapter of my life anytime soon.

  James pulled a few strings to get me, Lana, and Ashley free tickets to the Auburn / Georgia game. And since our schools were playing each other it was almost impossible to say no. Lana jumped at the opportunity to be forty minutes away from Fort Benning and began making plans the second she
heard the news.

  I, on the other hand, had absolutely no desire to be anywhere near Columbus. Between Max and the whole Davis thing, it’s best if I sit this visit out. I intend on getting rip-roaring drunk, hitting a few parties and ending the night on my brother’s lumpy sofa.

  “Yuck!” She shivers. “Is this whiskey?”

  “Yep! Bottom’s up!”

  “There is no way in hell I can drink this shit!”

  I laugh and shrug. “No problem. More for me!”

  A flask of whiskey and four beers later, we’ve made it to the fourth quarter of a fantastic match up. The crowd goes wild as Auburn kicks a field goal to tie up the game.

  “I think Ash and I are going to head out. Try to beat the traffic.”

  “You’re not actually going to leave with the game tied, are you?”

  “I don’t give eight shits about this game, Kate. You know football bores the hell out of me. What I do give a shit about is my hot-ass boyfriend and partying with all our crazy-ass friends! Which you could be a part of if you’d put on your big girl panties!”

  I roll my eyes, annoyed at her words. But let the idea of going bounce around my loopy head. I’m tipsy enough to call her bluff. “Screw it! Let’s go.”

  I continue to consume JD as we make it to Columbus in record time.

  Thankful I’m too buzzed to overthink my decision to tag along. As the large beige building comes into view, I scan the parking lot for Max’s Harley and relieved to see it isn’t here. The thump of loud music and laughter bellows through the halls the moment we reach the building steps.

  “I bet that’s our crew making all the noise,” Lana says, perky for the first time all night.

  A guy manning the front desk greets us with a friendly smile. “You must be Lana and Ashley?”

  They both flash big smiles of excitement. “Yep! That’s us!”

  “Artie’s been down here at least a half a dozen times looking for y’all.” He laughs. “Feel free to head on up.”

  I watch as Lana and Ash fly up the stairs two at a time. “He didn’t mention a third,” he quizzes.

  I fan the air. “Oh, don’t mind me. I’m just the tag along.”

  He flashes a smile exposing a mouth full of crooked teeth and throws out a hand. “I’m Kevin!”

  I knew the “Hot Guy Train” in this building would eventually have to make a stop at Unattractive Station. I think to myself as I try not to stare at his acne and unibrow.

  “Kevin?” I ask, taking his hand. “Like plain ole Kevin? No crazy nickname or last name only?”

  He laughs. “It’s Griggs ninety-percent of the time. So it’s nice to be called by my first name every now and then.”

  “Well, Kevin. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kate.” I release his hand. “So you got stuck with CQ Duty this weekend, huh?”

  “Yeah,” he groans. “And it’s been the longest day in history. I had to miss all the good football games.”

  “We just left the Auburn-Georgia game. It was a nail-biter all the way to the end.”

  He shakes his head and groans again. “I heard! I hate I missed it.”

  “Wait! Are you the guy from Alpharetta?” I ask as the night we met Max flashes through my head.

  “I am,” he chuckles. “I wasn’t going to mention it on account you girls were probably still in elementary school when I was there.”

  “Oh, come on now. You can’t be that old,” I tease. “Maybe you know my brother, Eric Carpenter. He graduated in 89.”

  “Holy shit! Yes! Eric’s your brother? What a great guy. Please tell him I say hello.”

  “I sure will!” I say, floored. “It’s crazy what a small world we actually live in.”

  “It most certainly is,” he agrees.

  I glance towards the second-floor entry. “Well, I guess I better get upstairs before they send the Calvary after me.”

  “I only have an hour left. Maybe I will pop by when I’m done.”

  “You should! If we keep digging we may find out we’re long lost, cousins!” I shout, trekking up the stairs.

  I clear the landing as nerves flood my body. Sweat gathers on my neck as I peer down the hall towards Max’s room. Calm down! He’s not here! I remind myself.

  I make my way the opposite direction, following the loud music. The door’s open to the packed room. “There she is!” Lana yells, buried in the sea of people piled on the twin size bed.

  I’m welcomed in with hugs and high fives, including a few from the ladies I’d met on my “latrine date.” I spot Davis the second I walk in, but we keep our hellos casual.

  We make eye contact, but don’t speak until I’ve made introductions to everyone else. He’s sitting on the bed with Lana, Artie, and another girl, who I don’t know. He stands as I make my way through the small crowd.

  “This is a nice surprise,” he says in my ear, pulling me in for a bear hug. “They told me you weren’t coming.”

  “Oh, you know Lana,” poking her in the knee.

  “She always figures out a way to talk me into things.”

  “You can have my spot,” Davis says. “It’s a little tight in here right now.”

  “Thanks,” I say, plopping beside Lana, who’s already pulling back the tab of a beer for me.

  “Whose room is this?”

  “It’s Davis’s,” Lana whispers. “And the blond girl who jumped up behind him… she’s been glued to him since we walked in.”

  “She’s pretty,” I admit. “Looks a little trashy, though. Which of course is right up Davis’s alley.”

  Davis’s room has a loveseat on the right wall and his small bed pushed against the far back wall. Upside-down buckets have been made into makeshift seats and in the corner, sits an expensive stereo system with a pyramid of empty beer cans on top. Other than a calendar with Ms. September sprawled across a Corvette, there isn’t anything else displayed.

  Twelve of us are piled into his little room. It’s hot and loud, but everyone appears to be having fun. With the exception of Davis, who seems frustrated and isn’t making himself the center of attention like normal.

  “Goldie Locks is following Davis around like a shadow,” Lana notices.

  “I know. He looks pissed off.”

  Davis looks over while we’re talking. “You ok?” I mouth.

  He shakes his head slightly and rolls his eyes towards the girl. “She must be getting on his nerves,” I whisper to Lana.

  Lana motions to Davis to come over. Which he immediately does. “Why don’t you sit right here?” Lana pats the bed, scooting over so there’s an open spot in between us.

  “You look miserable.”

  “You have no idea,” he groans.

  “Lady troubles?”

  He lets out a deep huff. “She’s a friend of Shepard’s.” He gestures over to one of the girls on the couch. “I met her at a club a few weeks ago and she’s been stalking me ever since.”

  I raise an eyebrow.

  “I know what you’re thinking and no. I didn’t hook up with her. So you can stop giving me that look.”

  It’s the first time he’s smiled since I arrived.

  I grab his chin and shake it. “I guess it’s that irresistible charm of yours.”

  He laughs. “I forgot how much I miss having you around.”

  As expected, it didn’t take Goldie locks long to take the hint. Her and several others head to another party being hosted on the third floor.

  The four of us sit on Davis’s bed, with Ashley and Santos on the couch, cutting up for what seemed like hours. Laughing so hard at times my sides hurt.

  “You know what I have been thinking about for weeks and would give my left arm to have right about now?” I ask.

  “Davis on the bathroom counter again?” Lana jokes, sending laughter booming through the room.

  My face turns bloodshot red, but it’s too funny to not laugh at.

  “No! Smart-ass!” I glance over at Davis, who’s getting a kick out of it as well.
“I’ve actually been thinking about those damn chocolates from Griffin’s Candy Shop.”

  “Oh my God! Yes!” Ashley shouts.

  Davis nods. “Yep! Those turtles were out of this world!”

  I match his nod. “Yes, they were.”

  “I don’t think I got any of those. Y’all must have been hogging them,” Lana says.

  I smirk as my mind drifts to us lying in bed, passing the bag of chocolates back and forth. I glance over at Davis and know he’s remembering it too.

  “How about a celebratory shot, toasting to great friends and great laughs,” Santos says passing shot glasses to everyone.

  We clink them together and I throw it back. The disgusting licorice flavor burning its way to my stomach. Well, this was a mistake!

  “Um, Kate? You ok? You’re looking a little green?”

  I don’t answer right away, my stomach churning. “Nope! Last shot. Bad idea!” I yell, sprinting to the latrine. Praying I make it in time.

  Being a true best friend, Lana steps in the stall to help. She holds my hair back as a night's worth of JD and Jaeger shows itself in the ugliest form. I rest between wretches on the cold green tile, swearing off liquor forever.

  Twenty minutes and an empty stomach later, I drag back to Davis’s room.

  “Feel better?” Santos asks.

  “My head's pounding, but better.”

  Davis squints his eyes. “Sorry I couldn’t hold your hair back this time,” he slurs.

  “Looks like I’m not the only one who drank a little too much tonight,” I say, kicking him on the foot.

  “I think maybe it’s time we all call it a night.”

  Artie checks his watch. “Holy Shit! It’s two-thirty in the morning.”

  Lane smiles devilishly. “Take me to bed or lose me forever!”

  “Well, I guess that’s your cue, Goose!” Santos teases, recognizing the Top Gun quote.

  I crouch beside Davis. “Mind if I crash on your couch?”

  “You can take the bed,” he says. “I’m good rightttt here,” awkwardly patting his hand on the couch.

  “Are you sure?” I ask. Thankful, neither one of us is in any condition for any potential late night hook up.