Never Forgotten
Page 23
***
After dropping mom off at the clinic, it was a short ride to the mall. Katie circled to find a spot. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones who thought this was a good day to shop. I spotted a small car backing out in the next aisle over, and Katie maneuvered into the spot like a pro. She jumped out of the car and, once I was by her side, pulled me along, not stopping until we stood at the center of the mall.
“What do you think?” Katie turned to me. “Where should we start?”
“It doesn’t matter to me,” I said. “You pick.”
Apparently, that was the right thing to say. Katie took me to her favorite store, and she started to pick out outfits for both of us. She held up a pair of designer jeans. The pockets were embellished and sparkly. “What do you think?” she asked.
“For who?” I eyed the jeans cautiously. The price tag told me that they’d eat up almost the whole clothing budget I’d allotted myself.
“I guess either of us, but I was thinking me. You don’t strike me as the sparkly type.”
Relieved, I nodded. “Yes, for you, they’re cute. You’re right. My tastes run a little more plain.”
Katie shook her head. “Simple, maybe, but not plain.” She handed me a pumpkin orange, V-neck sweater. It was fuzzy and soft. “How about this?”
“I love it.” It was on sale, too—40% off.
She nodded absentmindedly, already moving on to another rack. “I knew it. That’s a great color for you with your dark hair. It would look horrendous on me.”
We took armfuls of clothes into the dressing room. The wildest thing I tried on was a faux fur vest in a spotted leopard print. I thought it looked ridiculous, but Katie kind of liked it. I didn’t get it, but I found plenty of things to buy. Within a couple of hours, we were laden with shopping bags.
“Do you want to get some lunch?” Katie asked.
“Sure,” I said. “Can we put the bags in the car first?”
“Good idea.”
We took the bags out and placed them in the truck. I felt so much lighter and freer without them, which made me realize how hungry I was. Katie wanted tacos, and I wanted a turkey wrap and fries, so we split up to order. When I turned to find a table, Katie waved at me from one by the window.
In between bites, we talked about school. The volleyball team started practice on Monday. Katie wanted me to try out, but I wasn’t into sports. She tried to convince me, so I told her I wanted to limit my extracurricular activity so I could spend more time with my mom. Once I said that, she dropped the subject. I felt a little guilty using my mom as an excuse, but it worked.
I sipped my shake, nodding while Katie described the recent team drama. I was only half listening. My mind kept wandering to the dream I had last night.
“Are you okay?” Katie asked. “You seem distracted.”
“It’s…ah.” I struggled, fidgeting with my straw. Could I tell Katie about David? I looked up to find Katie watching me, waiting. Her blue eyes filled with concern, and she reached for my hand.
“Meara, what is it?” she asked. “You know that we’re friends, right? That you can talk to me? Tell me anything. Even if Evan is being a pig-head, you can tell me.”
Her concern touched me. “It’s not about Evan.”
“Then, what it is?”
I debated, ultimately deciding that I needed to tell someone. It was killing me not talking about my dreams. Once I started, it all poured out. I told her about all three dreams. She listened, a myriad of emotions crossing her face from disbelief to awe.
“Holy crap!” she exclaimed when I finished. “Have you told anyone else?”
“Just my mom,” I said. “But only about the first two.”
“Why didn’t you tell her about the last one?”
Once again I debated how much to tell Katie. I had my reasons for not telling my mom. Katie was one of my only friends here, what could it hurt to tell her? “I…I think she was scared.”
“Scared of what?” Katie asked, her blue eyes wide.
“I don’t know.”
“Wow.” Katie took a sip of her soda. She looked deep in thought and had a strange expression on her face.
“Do you believe me?” I asked.
Katie paused. “I want to show you something.” She reached in her purse and dug around, eventually producing a small, worn, black and white photo. She held it out so I could see, pointing at the figures. “Here’s my dad. You haven’t met him yet. Next to Dad is Mom. Your mom is beside her. On the end? That’s David.”
“Can I see?” I reached for the photo.
“Sure.” Katie handed it to me. “I’ve been meaning to show it to you. That’s why it’s in my purse. I’m not some weirdo who carries around pictures of my parents and their friends.”
Katie laughed at her own joke, but I was too distracted. I stared at the photo, recognizing a younger, prettier version of Lydia and an image of my mom similar to the photograph in my room. On the end, with his arm around my mother, was David. Goose bumps covered my arms when my suspicions were confirmed. This was the David of my dreams, and seventeen years later, he looked almost exactly the same.
“That’s him.” I handed the picture back.
“Keep it.” She pushed my hand away. “Have you told Evan?”
“No.”
“Okay, I’m sure you have a good reason, and it’s none of my business, but you know I’m going to ask anyway…why not?”
I sighed and finished my shake before answering. “I guess I’m worried. What if he doesn’t believe me? What if he thinks I’m crazy? We’ve only been going out for a few weeks.”
“Meara,” Katie said. “Evan is really into you. I’ve never seen him so head over heels before. He’s spent all his free time with you. You’re not giving him enough credit.”
“You’re right.”
“You’ll tell him?” she persisted.
“Yes.”
“Soon?”
“Yes.”
She nodded. “Good. Well, now that we’re refueled, we’re ready to tackle part two—school supplies.”
“Ugh,” I said.
“Right,” she agreed.