Starting From Here

by Lisa Jenn Bigelow

  I was all set to run away and leave Mo there before Lenny could open his mouth and chew me out for daring to show my ungrateful face at Robyn’s doorstep. But instead he regarded me quietly. For the first time I wondered if he had been another of Robyn’s strays. Maybe we weren’t so different.

  “Hey,” I said.

  “Hey,” Lenny replied. He was wearing a gray shirt with an orange and white name tag pinned to the chest.

  “New job?” I asked. “Congratulations.”

  Lenny nodded. “Thanks. It’ll do for now.”

  We stood a moment in silence. Then he said, “I’ll get Robyn.” He stepped back inside, calling, “Honey, there’s someone here to see you!”

  Robyn bustled past the dogs to the doorway. Her face lit up. “Colby, what a surprise. What a nice surprise.”

  “Sorry for coming so late,” I said.

  “Not at all. Come in out of the cold.”

  I stepped up to slide past her into the kitchen. But her arms caught me, wrapped around me, and pulled me tight. There was only one thing I could do: put my arms around her, too.

  She finally let go of me and stepped back. “Take off your coat,” she said. “I’ll put the water on for tea.”

  From the Rainbow Alliance Internet Lounge:

  van_the_man: Did everyone see the forecast for next weekend? 65 DEGREES!!! Spring is here!!!

  kittykat96: OMG YES! I am so lying out in my new bikini.

  colb33: Van and I are going to Milham Park to play soccer on Sunday. Feel free to join us.

  van_the_man: Plus you’ll get to meet my very special guest: the one … the only … TREVIN!!!

  z-dawg: Can you go a freaking minute without talking about your new bf?

  van_the_man: No. :-)

  j0ck25: You know I’m there. Just name the time and place.

  colb33: Cool, anyone else? My dad has this idea that I’m quitting my job to play soccer this summer, and I am so out of shape.

  writergrrl: Does it sound awful that I don’t even know how to play?

  van_the_man: Don’t worry your pretty little head. It would be our honor to teach you.

  colb33: Totally … if you’re up for it.

  writergrrl: Will I have to wear pants?

  colb33: It would help.

  writergrrl: You ask a lot of a girl, Colby Bingham.

  colb33: Some things never change.

  van_the_man: AHEM. Sorry to interrupt this intimate exchange, but to confirm: Sunday at 2. Be there with bells on.

  van_the_man: And pants.

  van_the_man: Or just bells, but I’m pretty sure that’s illegal in this state.

  writergrrl: Could someone give me a ride?

  van_the_man: Trevin will be escorting moi.

  But I know someone with a red pickup truck.

  writergrrl: Colby?

  colb33: Sure thing, I’ll pick you up. It’ll make

  Mo’s day.