It seemed like ages, but eight o\u2019clock finally rolled around. I logged into the PCA chat room and waited. I\u2019d long since polished off the cookies my mom brought and the hot chocolate. I drummed my fingers on the desk impatiently.<\/p>\n
I used the same login name that I always used. I was Ike80. Olivia was Sweet_liv. It suited her more than anything else she could have chosen.<\/p>\n
I watched the list of chatters already there, just waiting anxiously for her to arrive. It was like watching a clock turn.<\/p>\n
Finally the list refreshed itself and Olivia\u2019s screen name showed up on my list.<\/p>\n
I immediately clicked on her name and entered her into a private chat.<\/p>\n
Ike80: Hey, Liv<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Hi, Isaac. Sorry I\u2019m late. I was finishing packing, and lost track of time.
\nIke80: That\u2019s okay. You made it, that\u2019s all that matters.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Aww, you\u2019re sweet. I miss you.<\/p>\n
I grinned hugely. I was glad she felt the same way I did.<\/p>\n
Ike80: I miss you too. Are you all set for your flight?<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: I am, definitely. I can\u2019t wait. I talked to my dad and everything today.<\/p>\n
Ike80: That\u2019s good. Anything I can help with?<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: I think it\u2019s all settled. He\u2019s working most of the time I\u2019ll be there.<\/p>\n
Ike80: That sucks. I have to work tomorrow until three.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: What\u2019s the schedule for the rest of the two weeks?<\/p>\n
Ike80: I said I\u2019d pick up some shifts, but I don\u2019t have to answer the phone.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: That\u2019s okay. We can hang out around your schedule.<\/p>\n
Ike80: I don\u2019t care about work, I want to spend my time with you.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: You\u2019re too sweet.<\/p>\n
Ike80: I know. What time does your flight get in tomorrow?<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: I think I should be in Tulsa by noon. Give or take any delays.<\/p>\n
Ike80: I can try to get off work early\u2026<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: It\u2019s okay. It\u2019ll give me time to unpack. I can pick you up after work.<\/p>\n
Ike80: That would be great. I can\u2019t wait to see you.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Aww, I can\u2019t wait to see you either!<\/p>\n
Ike80: I think we should go out to dinner and a movie or something. A real date.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: That sounds like a great idea.<\/p>\n
Ike80: I thought so. It was hard to do actual dates at PCA. I think it\u2019s time.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Well I think it sounds romantic.<\/p>\n
There was a loud clanging noise coming from upstairs. It sounded like someone had dropped something onto the floor. I almost jumped. I glanced up at my ceiling. I was way too tempted to go upstairs and yell at someone to keep it down. But again, the last thing I wanted was to start a fight. I felt like I was walking on thin ice around this house. Any little thing I did or said made me afraid I might get kicked out permanently.<\/p>\n
Ike80: I try.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Where do you work so I can pick you up?<\/p>\n
Ike80: I work at a fast food diner on Bleaker street. It\u2019s called Charlie\u2019s?<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Ok, I know where that is. It\u2019s just down the street from my dad\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Ike80: Perfect. That works out great then.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: I\u2019ll pick you up at 3.<\/p>\n
Ike80: I\u2019ll probably be in the back, but I\u2019ll look for you. You can ask one of the guys if you need to find me.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Ok.<\/p>\n
Ike80: And I should warn at you. My mom wants to invite you for dinner one night.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Warn me? That sounds like fun. I\u2019d like to meet her!<\/p>\n
Ike80: I\u2019ll explain when you get here.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Ok. How did the meeting go with your Parole officer?<\/p>\n
Ike80: Good, actually. It\u2019s good news, he thinks I can get cleared of the charges eventually.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Oh, Ike! That\u2019s amazing!<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t help but smile. I knew she was smiling her adorable little smile. I could almost picture her being happy and smiling about the good news.<\/p>\n
Ike80: I\u2019ll tell you all about it when you get here tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: That sounds wonderful. I can\u2019t wait to see you.<\/p>\n
Ike80: I can\u2019t wait either, Liv. I miss you a lot.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: I miss you too.<\/p>\n
Ike80: Do you have to get up early tomorrow to catch your flight?<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Not too early. I still need to finish packing and take a bath\u2026<\/p>\n
Ike80: I should let you go.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: It\u2019s ok. I\u2019ve got lots of time.<\/p>\n
Ike80: But I shouldn\u2019t keep you. I was invited to watch a movie with my brothers.<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Ok. Have fun.<\/p>\n
Ike80: I\u2019ll try. I\u2019ll see you tomorrow, ok?<\/p>\n
Sweet_liv: Absolutely. See you soon.<\/p>\n
I sat in the chat room and waited until Olivia logged off. I clicked out of the chat room and shut down the laptop.<\/p>\n
I yanked off my shirt and threw it into the laundry basket at the foot of my bed. I pulled on an old grey t-shirt and changed into a pair of flannel pajama bottoms. I looked toward my alarm clock. It was far too early to go to bed. I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve. The earlier I went to bed, the earlier I would wake up to gifts.<\/p>\n
I needed to take a trip to the bookstore soon or I was going to go absolutely crazy in my own room all by myself. Especially after spending the first seventeen years of my life sharing a room with my two brothers.<\/p>\n
I drew in a deep breath and sighed. I caved. I left my bedroom, clicking off the light as I went.<\/p>\n
I wandered upstairs, finding my two brothers and my dad watching a movie. Zac had a bag of chips on his lap, and there was a bowl of popcorn on the coffee table.<\/p>\n
Zac and Taylor were sharing the sofa, while my dad occupied the reclining chair.<\/p>\n
I was kind of glad that Zac was lying on the sofa with his feet toward Taylor. That left no room for me to sit there. I was free to take the arm chair without raising suspicion. Even though the view of the television wasn\u2019t as good.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou decided to join us, son.\u201d Dad mused.<\/p>\n
I nodded, glancing toward the television. I recognized the movie; I\u2019d seen it.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was talking to his girlfriend.\u201d Taylor teased with a smirk on his face.<\/p>\n
I shot him a quick glare.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaylor.\u201d Dad said in a tone that was clearly a warning.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d Taylor said quickly and reluctantly. It wasn\u2019t an apology that was aimed at me, it was for dad\u2019s benefit.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re glad you could join us.\u201d Dad said to me.<\/p>\n
I nodded, plopping down into the arm chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat time is your friend coming in tomorrow?\u201d Dad asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNoon. But I work until three.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWill she need a ride from the airport?\u201d<\/p>\n
I shook my head. \u201cHer dad is picking her up. Then she\u2019s going to pick me up after work tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, well if you need rides or anything, let us know. We\u2019ll help you out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks.\u201d I said. I wanted to add that the last thing I wanted was for my parents to be practically chaperoning our dates and hanging around when we didn\u2019t need them there.<\/p>\n
I turned my attention to the television.<\/p>\n
I watched the movie until the end, even though I wasn\u2019t entirely interested in seeing something I\u2019d already seen. Once the movie was over, Zac and Taylor snuck off to bed; they had school in the morning.<\/p>\n
I helped my dad bring the left over chips and popcorn into the kitchen silently. Neither one of us felt the need to fill the awkward silence.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can head off to bed, son. I\u2019ll finish up here.\u201d Dad offered.<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodnight, son.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNight, dad.\u201d I answered.<\/p>\n
I walked from the kitchen and into the living room. I opened the door to the basement and stepped onto the stairs, shutting the door behind me. I stood there for a moment before trudging down the stairs and climbing into bed. I was asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.<\/p>\n