A New Chapter Begins

You gather yourself and sit back straight, then put the car into gear. You watch as the taxi Allison had entered pulls from the curb. She was gone now. There was no coming back from that. You turn your car around and head back to the road you had come from.

The more you drove...the better you felt. You knew deep down that you had done the right thing. You were strangely at peace with it all, as if some part of you knew it was never going to work with her. There was no pain, no regret, just acceptance. As if last night watching her be with your family had been like tearing a bandage off in one quick motion. All the stinging pain all at once...and then nothing. You realize then that you never truly loved her, not even close. And you knew from Fiona's questioning the night before that Allie hadn't loved you either.

You were happy you did it quickly and directly. It was going to be awkward. Allie knew your friends and was still in a class with you until the end of the term. But no matter what happened now you were at peace with having done the right thing. You had turned the page over on that chapter of your life. It was time to look ahead.

Before too long you are pulling into a parking spot near campus. You knew a good spot about a five minute walk away where you could park all day for free. It was a quiet residential neighborhood with old houses and lots of greenery. You grab your pack and start your walk to the college. It was mid morning now and it appeared that you had a beautiful day ahead of you. The sun shone and the breeze was gentle. You stroll your way to school, taking time to just enjoy your quiet surroundings and the good weather.

Along the way a text message comes in. You pull out your phone...it was Mom. "I love you." Is all the message said.

You grumble and shake your head, stuffing the phone back in your pocket. She knew you were upset and, knowing her, she didn't have a clue as to why. You walk in thought for a bit. Your mind drifting back to that fateful day you had hidden in Fiona's closet and all had been revealed to you. You remember the measurements. Fiona had mocked and teased you. It was awful but not unexpected. Elsie marveled at the fact that she was as big flaccid as you were hard. That was honest surprise, she hadn't expected that and there was no cruel edge to her words. But Mom...of all the things said that day...

"And to answer your question, no your father wasn't that small. He was a real man. Wait...no...sorry Jesse...that didn't come out right at all."

Your mother's voice echoes in your mind. Fuck, that comment hurt the most that day. It was the one that stuck with you. She didn't see you as a real man. She saw you as her baby. Her little boy. She loved you with all her heart...but she didn't respect you. Could be worse you supposed. When it came to Fiona it seemed the reverse. Your mother gave her eldest space but rarely said a kind word. She was forever blaming her for things, or sniping at her, or ragging on her for something she did wrong. She held Fiona to a much higher standard than Elsie or (especially) you; her two babies.

You are jostled back to reality. The sidewalk was getting crowded now. A busy street was head, across it the university. You rush forward to catch the cross light, joining the dozen or more people about your age hurrying along to their first classes of the day.

Today you had three classes back to back to back. Distracted as you were you manage to keep your focus. A more diligent student than ever really. Every time you do let your mind wander all you could think about was Casey. You smiled every time. You couldn't WAIT to talk to her again. You just hoped she was having a similar reaction to you as you were having to her. Not surprisingly Allison doesn't show to the one class you shared with her. You weren't sure if it was because she didn't want to see you or just due to sheer physical exhaustion after last night...either way it was a relief.

The moment your final class ends you peel off and hurry to find a quiet cubby along the hallway. Pulling out your phone you hurriedly scroll and find her number.

Dial.

Ring...Ring...Ring...

Your anticipation grows with every ring. There was none of the nervousness or unease you usually felt, like back when you were pursuing Allison in those early days.

Ring...

Damn, she must be still in class or something. Just as you prepare to hang up you hear her pick up.

"Why Jesse Bailey. I was wondering if I would hear from you today." That sweet golden voice caresses your ear.

"Why Casey...Casey...you know, I never did get your last name." You say in your most charming voice.

"Devlin my dear. Casey Devlin." You could hear the happiness in her voice. Yeah, she liked ya.

"Devlin? Ha!" A voice from up above and a name from down below. "Casey Devlin, I love it."

"Ever dance with the Devlin in the pale moonlight?" She asks, it was a reference to something but you couldn't remember what.

"Sounds like a nice date." You quip.

"Are you asking?" She teases.

You chuckle, this was moving fast. "Yes. Yes I am. Would you like to out with me Casey Devlin?"

She doesn't miss a beat. "I'm sorry, first dates must be asked about face to face. Nothing personal Jesse, just a rule I have." You could tell by her playful tone that this wasn't a rejection, it was an invitation.

You grin even wider. "You want to meet? I'm on campus right now. I've got some time."

"I would love to." She croons. "I'm in the Drama department. There is a little cafe, not the main one as you walk in. It's on the second floor."

"I know the place." You say, trying hard but failing to hide your excitement. "And I am on my way!"

"I'll see you soon." She giggles with a good type of nervousness. She was as excited as you were!

As if buoyed by unseen wings you dash off toward the Drama building. Skipping and dancing around the other students and faculty as if they weren't even there.

(I feel like some readers have parachuted into this thread these past couple of chapters. Just so there are no nasty surprises in store for you I would like to remind everyone that THIS is Casey Devlin.)