the next morning at the Menards

Gary was getting up when he heard his sister’s cell phone ring in the next room.

“Hello,” a drowsy sated Lil rolled over in bed, picked up and answered her mobile. “Oh hello Alison. What’s up?”

Gary shrugged and thought, “that’s an early call. I wonder what Alison wants…well no business of mine I guess” and went about getting ready for college. He was eating breakfast when his sister came down, dishevelled and puffy eyed.

“What’s wrong Lil?”

“Alison thinks I’m neglecting her. We haven’t spoken since last Sunday and she is upset. She’s so pushy at times.”

“That’s because she’s scared of losing you. Bernie says that almost all of Allison’s lovers have left her for men and that she can’t find a girl who will really be hers. She’s possessive. She likes you; hell she might even love you. And she’s scared some man will snatch you away.”

“Hmm well she wants us to go out on Friday night. I’m almost scared to. She’s so forceful. Um would you tag along- maybe bring a friend? I know Bernie can’t go her Mom’s got some family thing organised. Her cousin Ben and his Mom and Dad are coming to stay the night. Bernie said something about her cousin and his folks going on from here on Saturday afternoon.”

I’ll think about it. I’ll let you know. Don’t worry so?” Gary finished his meal and left.

A few lectures later he stood in the college quadrangle looking round. “Hiyas Laura. Great to see you again. How’s stats now? Is my friend some help to you?”

“Good to see you too Gary.” Laura kissed his cheek “Thanks to your friend Colleen I am coping well. Where did you find her -that girl has some head for figures.”

“Yes she does, she’s a friend of my sister’s from school days. Have you met her or just spoken on the phone?” Gary replied and thought “And she has a great figure too”.

“No we met on Tuesday. We had a coffee and then studied together, she’s a real help but a bit shy...reserved.”

“Speaking of coffee, Laura, can I buy you one?”

“That would be very sweet thank you Gary.”

“Let’s go to the campus cafe.”

Gary had been pleasantly surprised when Laura rang him on Monday asking him to see her on campus on Thursday. “Remember Gary …friends still and no commitments,” she had said just before ringing off.

“And that is how I like it,” he thought as they walked through the college grounds chatting together about their courses. “I don’t know that I want to get serious with her, especially after last night…that was so hot…Laura may think Colleen is shy or reserved but she’s a hot slut…I never thought she would do what she did…and it was all Bernie’s idea. Bernie is a great girl.”

His thoughts were interrupted as Laura spoke “Um hey are you there I asked you a question?”

“Sorry mind on other things. I guess that’s not very polite of me and I am sorry. What did you ask?”

“You live at home right? With your parents right?”

“Well yes but they are away on holidays right now.”

“No that’s not what I meant- your parents are with you normally? You see mine have been fighting and separating and coming back together and fighting and separating for years. I almost don’t know what a family is like.”

“Well don’t make us into some ideal,” he replied, "I mean, like, Lil and I are in college, we'd rather be out in our own places. At least I would."

“I know this might sound silly but can I have a meal with you and your family when your parents get back. Like I said it’s so long I almost don’t know what a family is.”

Despite feeling sorry for Laura Gary thought “I’d better be very careful, I don’t want to get in too deep here. She sounds like a girl with problems” then he answered her “Yes of course I’ll fix it up. You’d be welcome to come for dinner. You’re a friend …but as you said …no commitments”

“Yeah. That’s great. Now would you like to come clubbing with me tomorrow night? Or perhaps we could go to the beach on Saturday?”

Gary looked at Laura and thought “they both appeal, and Bernie’s busy on Friday night. Will I? If I go out on Friday I can go with Lil and Alison. Laura might like that. She says she wants to be with a family. Or maybe we could all go to the beach”. He said, “I’ll let you know. In the meantime here’s a table, let’s grab that coffee.”