“Dillon really wanted you to have someone to talk to. I know you don’t know me, but he filled me in and I know your mom is sick and you’ve been through some stuff. You don’t have to tell me anything, but as a nurse, if you feel like you need help controlling your moods or you need something to help you sleep, I can help. There are even things over-the-counter that are natural that can help. Vitamins and things. You should really consider seeing a doctor. Just a regular woman’s doctor. I can help set that up for you. As a friend, I am here for you for anything you need. Seriously, Amy. Any questions you have, I can try to answer. Dillon told me you’ve been pretty much isolated your whole life and I would love to help you experience those things that you’ve missed. When you’re ready of course. You know, the girl stuff. I know you like to read and Dillon told me you’ve been borrowing my books.” She laughs. “He asked me what the hell is in those books, but don’t worry.” She shushes herself with her finger over her lips. “I didn’t tell him. It’s between us girls, Right? So, what have you read? What’s your favorite?”
“Um. I think I’ve read about five of them already. I like the ones about college and stuff since I didn’t get to go. They’re different than what I’m used to. I read a lot of text books and the required reading for high school, then just recently, I read Pride and Prejudice.”
“I love that book! Those books in my room are really old. We’ll go to the bookstore and get you some new ones. I get all mine electronically now.”
“Electronically?”
“Yeah. It’s called an e-reader. I can download all my books and then read them on a computer. I like reading the old fashion way too. I love the smell of books.”
“I do too.”
“Your nails look so pretty.” She says taking my hand after the lady puts the last coat on.
“Yours too.” I smile as I look at my nails. It’s amazing how different I feel. I feel pretty. I feel normal. I feel like there’s hope for me.
We leave the salon and enter a cell phone store. Laney helps me use the green plastic card to pay for an iPhone, and then the technician takes it out of the box and does all of the activation stuff on it for us. Once he’s done, he hands it to me. I have no clue what to do with it. I put it in my pocket and then follow Laney out of the store. We decide to grab some lunch at a sandwich place and sit outside on their patio so we can ‘people watch’ some more. Laney and I both order chopped chicken salads and iced tea. The taste of the food is amazing. So different than what I’m used to. I have to remind myself to slow down and have manners.
“So, anytime you need girl time, you can call me with your new phone,” she says, bouncing up and down in her chair.
I guess when you have a three year old, you have to have a lot of energy.
“Yeah, after I figure out how to use it.” I laugh. Laney talks super-fast and she talks a lot. I’m exhausted and way over-stimulated.
“It’s super easy. I’ll show you. You’ll pick it up fast. Give me your phone.” I dig it out of my pocket and hand it to her. She presses a bunch of buttons and swipes her finger across the screen a bunch of times. “I programmed my number and Dillon’s.” She goes through a quick tutorial of how to turn it on and off and how to make a call.
“So, to text, you just click on your contact and press the little icon for text. This one.” She leans over to show me. “Let’s send one to Dillon.” She uses her thumbs to type a message, but before I can see what she types, she sends it. “There. When he sends a message back, it will ding.” She hands the phone to me just as it dings.
“What did he say?” she asks enthusiastically.
I look at the message scrolled across my phone. “It says, I miss you too.”
“Aaawwww…. That’s so cute. He has your number now. I told him it was your new phone.”
Oh no. She told Dillon I miss him. Actually, I told Dillon I miss him. And he misses me back or maybe he felt like he had to say it back.
“You can do everything on that phone. You can go on the internet. You can Facebook, FaceTime, tweet, email….” She’s waving her hands wildly in the air and then stops. “You have no idea what I’m talking about do you?”
“I know what the internet is. I had some technology textbooks. They were a little over my head so I don’t know much but…” I shrug. “It’s okay.” Who is going to send me email anyway?
After we finish our lunch, we roam around an old warehouse that has been converted into a bookstore. I feel like I’m in heaven. I’ve never seen so many books in my life. It’s quiet in the bookstore, so I feel a bit more relaxed. Dark, wooden bookshelves line the deep red walls and are stocked with old tattered books as well as new ones from floor to ceiling. There are comfy leather couches and chairs grouped throughout the store. The floors are wooden and creaky. I love the smell, a bit musty with a tinge of forest. Laney drags me over to the romance section and starts pulling out a bunch of books.