Page 34 of Your Love

“That sounds like fun,” Nana chimes in with a smile.

“Don’t wait up for me,” I say to her while grabbing my jacket and beanie from the coat rack.

“Have a good time, kids,” she says with a smile before disappearing back into the warm kitchen to continue her baking. As we walk out into the crisp night air, I’m grateful for a reprieve from the heat that came from the intensity of that moment.

Chapter 15

“Fix You”

Landry - Age 18, 1988

Kerri’s frustration boils over, and she snaps, her voice sharp and bitter. “Damn it!” Her irritation isn’t directed at me, but its heat radiates off her. She’s seething as she plops down onto the chair next to me, grabbing her Dr. Pepper and taking a long sip.

“What’s going on with you tonight?” I asked tentatively, not wanting to provoke her further.

“Nothing.” She bites. The tightness in her jaw and the way she grips her drink like a lifeline tell me otherwise. Kerri has never been this guarded or uptight around me, at least since we’ve become close.

I throw my arm over her shoulder in a friendly gesture, but she recoils as if my touch burns her.

“Okay, seriously, what’s wrong?” I press.

Her response is sharp and defensive. “Nothing.”

I shake my head, not buying it for a second. “You’re acting tense and jumpy. And let’s be real, you never bowl this badly.”

She snorts at my attempt at lightening the mood.

My brow furrows. “I’m sorry. Have I done something to upset you?”

She exhales, and her shoulders sag. “No, Landry. It’s not your fault. Well, it is, in a way, but you didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just on edge, like a cat on a hot tin roof.” The image of a sleek black cat darting across the shimmering surface flashes through my mind at her words. Her sayings certainly have a way of painting a picture.

“That sounds pretty intense,” I comment.

“Can we go somewhere more private to talk?” she requests, her voice tinged with urgency. “Somewhere quieter?”

“Of course. Let me take care of returning our shoes and settling the bill first.”

She finally relaxes slightly as we step out into the cool evening air a few minutes later.

“Where would you like to go?”

She falls silent for a moment, deep in thought. Then, her face lights up as she suggests, “Can we drive to the lake?”

My mind races with questions. Is she upset? Nervous? I try to read her body language, but her face remains stoic. I keep my face passive and my voice calm. “Sounds good.”

As we turn down the windy road to the lake, a wave of tension washes over me, mirroring Kerri’s energy. We follow the road until we find a secluded spot to pull over, the tires crunching over dirt and rocks. I carefully maneuver the truck, reversing until we’re perfectly aligned with the lake. The moon’s reflection danced on the surface of the water while a breeze sends ripples across its stillness.

“Do you still have blankets in the back?” Kerri asks.

I nod, watching as she reaches under the seats in the back and emerges with a few thick blankets. She jumps out into the chilly autumn night, so I follow. With practiced ease, she arranges the blankets in the bed of the truck, creating a cozy nest for us to sit and enjoy the night sky. At least, that’s what I hope we’re doing. Her evasiveness has me confused.

“Come on,” she says, patting the spot next to her.

I climb into the back of my truck, my heart racing with anticipation. Since the sun has long since set, it’s left behind a vast expanse of twinkling stars overhead.

Kerri doesn’t speak for several minutes, and neither do I. My usual reserved nature allows me to sit in peaceful silence next to Kerri as we gaze up at the endless night sky. The distant chirps of crickets blend with the sound of the water rippling against the shore.

Part of me wants to break the silence and start a conversation, but I resist the urge and wait for Kerri to speak first. I’m content just being near her, soaking in every moment spent together.