The Last One(4)

A faint pink tinged Laura’s cheeks. “I have an idea, yes. But I don’t have all the details ironed out.”

“Bull, Laura.” I said it with a great deal of love in my voice. “You know as soon as Brian gets home, that engagement’s going to be official, and then you’re going to be the best damned Marine wife around. I know you have it worked out to do graphic art online from wherever he’s stationed. So don’t tell me you don’t have a plan.”

“Nothing’s definite,” she mumbled, but she glanced away, out the window, and I knew I was right on target.

“I made a decision about the summer.” I hadn’t intended to tell anyone, but it seemed right. “About what I’m going to do, I mean.”

“I thought you were going back to the Cove and working at the Tide. Doing some private lessons on the side.”

“That was before everything changed. I was only going back down there because I thought Mom would need me. She doesn’t anymore, not really. Uncle Logan tried to talk me into signing on to volunteer at the art museum in Jacksonville, but I don’t feel like spending the summer walking bored tourists around, pointing out the same shit to people who couldn’t care less. Plus if I spend the summer in the Cove, I’d end up sleeping with Drew again, and I don’t want to go back down that road.” My high school boyfriend had never left our hometown, and it was all too easy to fall into old habits when I was there for any length of time.

“So what’re you going to do? Are you staying in Savannah?”

“No. I don’t know where I’m going to be, exactly. I signed up to work with ArtCorps.”

Laura frowned. “I’ve heard that name, but what is it, exactly?”

“Like the Peace Corps, sort of, but with art. Volunteers teach in areas where all the fine arts programs have been cut or lost funding. ArtCorps assigns art students to summer programs and schools, and we get to work with underprivileged kids.”

She raised her eyebrows. “I thought you weren’t sure you wanted to teach.”

I nodded. “I’m not, but I thought, what better way to figure out if I do? I mean, this is not going to be a cushy job, I know that. But if I can do it, and if I enjoy it, I can be pretty certain about teaching anywhere.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a great idea. I’m proud of you, Meghan.” She smiled at me. “Do you know where you’ll be?”

“Not yet. I put in for the Southwest, because I’ve never gotten to spend any time in that part of the country. There’s a lot of need in the area. And being far away from everyone and everything familiar just feels right, you know?” I glanced at Laura. “I can reinvent myself for the summer. I can go without wearing makeup, dress in old jeans and stuff ... and I’m going to make it a male-free summer. No dating. No hook ups. Nothing. I’m going to enjoy just being me and figure out what I want next.”

“Hmm.” She stared straight ahead, but I caught a hint of smile playing about her lips.

“What?” I demanded.

“Oh, nothing. Just that most of the time, when a girl says that, she ends up meeting The One.”

I stuck out my tongue at her. “Give it up, girlfriend. The whole true love deal isn’t happening for me. Not this summer anyway. And look here, saved by the bell. Or at least the Road Block.” I smirked at her and turned into a parking lot that was full of cars and pick-up trucks. At the back of the huge gravel lot rose a tall building made of rough-hewn boards, with the name of the bar spelled out in uneven neon letters on the side.

I maneuvered the Honda around random clumps of people who were either loitering outside or making their way to the door. We found a spot in back, far from the entrance. Laura looked around us, worry on her face.

“It’s not too bad now, but coming out in the dark is going to be a different story. I’m not sure about this.”

“Oh, come on, Lo.” I teased her with the nickname that was the only one she tolerated. “We’re in the middle of the country. It’s a small town. We’ll be fine.”

She didn’t look convinced, but she followed me toward the door behind a small group of girls.

Inside, the place was dark and loud. There were people everywhere, sitting at the bar, around small tables and standing around the dance floor, which I was glad to see was as big as advertised.

“What now?” Laura yelled into my ear.

“Drink, then dance!” I answered, taking her hand and leading her to where the bartenders were trying to keep up with the orders. We stood waiting for a few minutes before one of them got to us.