Calling All David Ryans

Chapter 16

                                                                         XVI.

I did not even know how to control myself when I cried; when I saw a friend cry, the fragile world I thought I had control of vanished.  Logen laid across the hotel bed.  Her tears soaked through the sheets.

"I thought that coming here and helping Divy would distract me," Logen sniffed, "but, I still miss him.  I still feel lost.  I wish I could say that I will pick up the pieces of my heart, but I don't even know where it is anymore.  I gave it to him."

Maggie sat next to Logen.  I sat on the bed opposite.

"If you could, would you back to him though?" Maggie inquired.  "I mean, at least you know how much of a scoundrel he is before you married him."

"Yeah," I said, "he sounds like the kind of guy that would murder you for the life insurance money."

Logen sobbed harder.  Maggie shot me a glare.  My intention was not to make a joke.  The words that came out my mouth made the situation worse.

"You guys," Logen said between sniffs, "can I have some time alone?  I think that would help."

"But, Logen, if we go, you will have nobody to distract you." Maggie protested.  "You will start to dwell more on him, feel more lonely, and in the end, you are just going to feel worse."  

I cut in.  "Maggie, she is already dwelling on it more and we are still in the room.  Let's give her some space."

A smile tried to crawl onto Logen's soaked features, but her sadness did not allow it be complete.  "I'll be fine." She said.  Maggie gave her a doubtful look.  "Honest!  I'll just stay here and watch cat videos.  They always manage to cheer me up."

Maggie and I left as she started to boot up her computer. We ended up knocking on my parents' door.

My mother ushered us in.  "I am so happy to see you."  She said.  "It is unexpected, but very welcomed."

My father sat by the window.  His eyes scanned and out-of-date newspaper.  He didn't look up to greet me.  My sister's voice seeped through the bathroom door.  "Oh Chess.  Could we do that again sometime?  I liked it a lot."  She giggled. 

"Isn't it great that your sister has found a boyfriend?  You know Cal has always been a late bloomer. Oh, these are such exciting times!"  My mother spoke as she directed Maggie and met to sit on one of the beds.  My father gave a disapproving flick of the newspaper.

"Mom, she's only sixteen." I countered.

My mother did not head my words.  "Oh gosh, you're going to see David tomorrow.  Isn't that exciting?  I am so excited for you and for me as well." She gushed.  "You know what? Nothing can ruin the bliss I feel now because one my precious daughters is getting married.  Oh, so cute!  What are you going to wear tomorrow?"

"I don't know yet."

"What?  You don't know?  I need to remedy that.  I'll just come over to your room tomorrow and help you dress."

"Mom, I'm not in high school anymore."

Maggie angled her eyebrow and smirked.  She found sadistic amusement in mother's quest to control every aspect of my life.

"You're such a bad boy!" Cal said from the bathroom.  "I kind of like it." 

My mother set her eyes on Maggie.  "So, my dear," she said while grabbing my friend's hand, "how is your love life doing?"